HELP - Companies House

[chrissa1]

My late husband had his own Consultancy Business which was registered at Companies House. He died quite suddenly after a 7 week stay in hospital and therefore no busness was carried out during that time.
I have looked at the Companies House web site but can't seem to find the relevant forms to send them. Do I wind it up or dissolve it?
There are no assets in the business or a bank account. There are 3 creditors which my husband was due to pay in January when expected orders came in but of course this didn't happen.
Didn't know where to post this.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[TonyV]

Firstly accept my condolenses on your loss. Did your late husband employ an accountant to submit his accounts to Companies House? If so he should be able to help - I think the company needs winding up rather than dissolving.

[chrissa1]

Thank you Tonyv.

[TonyV]

No problem

[MangoPete]

I am a director of a company registered at Companies house
I suggest you give them a phone call. Despite looking officious they can be very helpful. I suggest you do that.
You can actually just not do anything and they will eventually close the business and you will not have to pay anything. Or you can close it yourself and pay a fee.
Good luck Peter

[chrissa1]

Thanks MangoPete. I actually decided to ring them this afternoon and they were very nice. I have to send them a TM01 form to remove my husband's name from the list of Directors, wait a week then pay a £10 fee to dissolve it. Would it be ok to just let it lie dormant as that is what it's going to be doing without him.

[albaqwerty]

When a close relative of mine, who was a director and owner of the company, letters were sent to the creditors to say there were no assets to pay them.. This was about 20 years ago tho.so I've no idea if any laws have changed/ (This happened in Scotland, I've no idea where you are and if English laws are different)

[TonyV]

Chissa1 - you can send off form of course - are you the company secretary?

[TonyV]

chrissa1 - pls do not take my last comment the wrong way - but obviously you indicated that there are other directors that need to be involved

[chrissa1]

I was the only other Director Tony.

[TonyV]

chris - how much are the 3 creditors owed?

[chrissa1]

Between the three of them, £15K.

[TonyV]

Are you intending to pay the creditors?

[chrissa1]

I haven't got the money to pay them.

[themas]

Seems to me the company is insolvent & you need to deal with it - not just let it lie dormant. The creditors are creditors of the company & - unless there are any personal guarantee issues - neither you nor your late husband's estate should be liable to pay them. But they do need to be made aware of the situation, & - I think - some final accounts of the company need to be produced.

[TonyV]

Chris you need advice from your companies accountant, alternatively if that is unafordable, try CAB.

[chrissa1]

I shall fill in the forms and file them on line asap. That's how I filed the Annual Return last November.
Thanks all.