Hi, Just to say hello & thanks to whoever created this site, I'm struggling under what feels like a mountain of debt and trying to do the right thing by slowly (and sporadically) paying it off - despite the best attempts of various debt collection companies & bailiffs to bully and harrass me! Guy

Hi, I hope that I'm posting this in the right forum & that someone will be able to offer me some advice. I run a small busines as a sole trader & had a significant bad debt early this year that has the knock on effect of meaning that I was unable to pay several suppliers. This inevitably led to CCJ's and - in one case - a statutory demand that I was unable to satisfy which led to a bankruptcy petition being served on me. I don't dispute the process that led to this or the debt, the supplier provided the goods & it's not their fault that my client hasn't paid - I owe the money & want to pay but it's just been really tough. The bankruptcy petition (for a little over £4,000) is due to be heard this Thursday and I've been able to get together £1,800 which I can pay now and I'm in a position that my current contracts will allow me to clear the remaining £2,200 by the end of November - my question is what is likely to happen on Thursday? What advice do any of you have as to whether the petition is likely to be granted as I can't bring the debt down to below £750? I have a good business (struggling but holding our own) with 4 employees dependent on me for a wage as well as a wife & two young children. The £14,000 bad debt that I'm saddled with has brought me to my knees but I am working my socks off to clear the debts that I incurred as a result of this and would just appreciate any and all advice that could be given. Thanks in advance Guy