The sheriff is at the door. What should you do first?

Start with the warrant, not the argument

Do not treat a sheriff's visit like a chat at the gate. Ask to see the warrant, write down the court, the amount, the date and the file number, and compare it with your own records before you say much else. If the paperwork is unclear, slow the moment down without arguing.

In Victoria, a warrant of seizure and sale directs the Sheriff to take and sell property, and the official court page says it is generally valid for one year. Rules vary by state and territory, so if your business is outside Victoria, check the local court's enforcement process before relying on the same steps.

Do not make the visit worse

Stay calm and do not obstruct the officer. You do not help yourself by blocking access, arguing over the debt on the footpath or sending staff to sort it out. Keep the interaction short, ask what the officer needs next, and note the time, names and any assets listed immediately.

If the sheriff pauses to list goods, say clearly what belongs to someone else and what you need to keep the premises running, but do not hide, move or lose property. A clean explanation is more useful than a rushed story. The visit can be recorded in your diary and sent to your adviser that day.

Source: Official guidance

Use the pressure while it is fresh

Use the pressure while it is fresh. Call the creditor or their solicitor immediately and say what you can pay today, not what you hope to find next week. If part payment is possible, make the number specific. If it is not, ask whether they will hold off while a written proposal is prepared.

Keep the conversation practical. Confirm the amount outstanding, the reference number and the deadline you are asking for, then send the same points by email or text before the day ends. A short written note reduces confusion later and gives both sides something concrete to work from if the file keeps moving.

Check what may be protected

Check what may be protected before anything is loaded. In Victoria, the official page says the sheriff cannot seize items needed for basic comfort, such as a fridge, television or washing machine. That is a narrow household example, so do not assume business tools, stock, vehicles or plant are covered the same way.

If an item belongs to another person, or you genuinely need to prove it is not yours, gather invoices, hire papers or serial numbers now. The point is not to invent an exemption. It is to avoid a wrong assumption becoming a bigger problem after the officer has left the site.

Fix the file before the next step

If the debt is not settled today, build the file while the pressure is still live. Put the warrant, judgment, payment history, bank statements, contract and any message about the debt into one folder. That record helps you check the amount, test the next offer and show what has already happened.

Today, send one clear email or text with the amount you can pay and ask for a pause while you take advice, then call CRP today about legal intervention. CRP coordinates independent qualified professionals, and this general information is not legal advice. The next step is simple: get the papers together and make the call.