Hi Nicola
Are you the same Nicola who is AAT and CIMA who was on here a few months ago (with another forum name)? Knowsley based if I recall rightly?

If not, we usually ask newbies to give a bit of an intro, so bookkeeper or Accountant/how long/do you just work for yourself or for others/how far you are with your studies, if any/which prof body/ that kind of thing.

Have to say with this one, it sounds like you have been way more generous with them as a result of the relationship with your parents, but as I say on here quite a bit, friends only remain friends when no money is involved.

I work on 7 day terms with most of my clients, a couple of strikes and you're out of credit with the invoices then pay immediately and try it on again it's payment up front. I've rarely had to reduce terms, but I only give clients a day or three to be late in paying before I go after them for the funds.

So the first thing I would do if I was you, ring them again, leave a message and state you require a call back within a couple of hours. No call, try again. At this point you have to decide if a knock on their door is appropriate. But if you decide not and there is no response by the end of that day, then send an email stating that your invoices remain unpaid, well outside your terms, how unacceptable it is and saying that you require full payment of all outstanding debt by close of business the next day. Failing that then you need to go to formal demand type stage. Don't waste any time, do what you threaten exactly when you threaten to do it, otherwise they will think yo Wong carry out your threats, as you haven't in the past.

If they want a meeting, turn up. Don't take any papers apart from your outstanding invoices and make that the first thing on the agenda. No heads up, tell them when yo get there.

For the formal demand, decide if you want to do the two letters which are your best options, letter before action and the other, forgotten it's name, will dig it out for you and post later. Give 7 days in each letter for responses otherwise the courts will throw it out. If you don't want to do it yourself employ the services of a solicitor. the Thomas Higgins Partnership will do the letters for about £3 plus VAT.

If they don't pay, you then get the chance to decide whether or not to take them to court. It will be small claims court. You can do this by cheaply and I certainly would!

given you have told them you will not do any more work, you need yo re-iterate this in your first email no stress the consequences, especially with the payroll.

I would be disengaging at the stage of demand, in fact in the same letter.

Don't stress about it, just get even!!!

Hi Cheshire,

yes the very same Nicola.

For some reason my account has disappeared, I had to use a different email address and details to set up as it kept saying email used before, but wouldn't let me send a reminder. Not sure why its been ages since I've used the site. been so busy.

I knew the response I would get in regards to disengaging and making them pay. But, I suppose the family connection is making this more difficult than it has to be.

Ill get writing that very stern email now, thanks again Cheshire.

N x

Ah , I thought I recognised the name :)

I have just wrote a nicer email than you advised , but clearly stating I wont be carrying on until I receive payment.

I feel like just driving down there , putting it all back In the bin bags it came in , and leaving it on there door step lol
Other clients , if I chase payment , at least acknowledge me , usually an over sight, being busy etc
But I think because they feel they know me they are just ignoring me.
Maybe I come across as a push over :(

Ill see what response I get tomorrow/ fri, last thing I stated was that I expected a reply by close of business Friday or I would be writing a disengagement letter.
And I promise I will

Thanks again

I will try and find my old account again, and once its up and running be back in my original name lol :)