How is best to aproach a debt

[rooney1902]

If 2 companies are chasing me for debt of aprox �1200 each, one has tried to contact me and one hasen't what would be te best way for me to approach them to offer a lesser settlement without re-activating there status and initiating the proccess of new charges, collection agencys etc. Both debts are over 5 years old with no contact from myself ?

[Drisgirl]

The debts are obv bothering you so just bite the bullet and come to a payment plan with both of them.Rest assured you cant escape them -i managed to keep the Working Families Tax at bay for 5yrs and thought that they had lost my files but no -they got me -so i just came to an arrangement -make up as much as you want for your outgoings -they are happy to accept a meagre amount
.
I cant sleep if I have debt -some can -I cant.I cant also bear the thought of my loved ones being burdened so you will feel better and will be very surprised at how flexible they will be if you contact them

One less for them to chase up.

[factor-fiction]

I'm a little puzzled Rooney1902- you say two companies are chasing you, then you say one hasn�t been in touch. It�s important to be clear about whether they�ve tried to contact you because if they don�t try for several years (six maybe?) the debt can�t then be enforced.
But try your best to pay it- just as you�d expect others to repay you

[Gok Wan]

Is it one debt or two?

Debts become 'statute barred' after 6 years from your last acknowledgement of the debt so what do you mean by 'over 5 years old'?

If you haven't made a payment or acknowledged in writing that you owe these people money within the last 6 years, then they cannot chase you through the courts for repayment