Question - Richard and Pauline Jackson have a small mowing and gardening business in which they have been working for the last eight years. As it is only the two of them in the business they operate as a partnership.

They have approached you to help restructure their finance, as they are finding the management of their debts a struggle following the loss of one of their major commercial property contracts.

After further questioning, you realise that the situation is more serious than they originally explained; they had missed payments on their mortgage, only pay the minimum on their credit card of 3% each month and the work ute they have on lease is expiring. They have a $15,000 residual payment due and do not have the funds available.

They lost the major contract 12 months ago and fell behind on the mortgage payments soon after. They spoke to their lender (First and Last Bank) and a 'hardship application' was approved. The missed payments were corrected by extending the term of their loan. Nothing adverse was recorded on their credit file but they are still struggling with all the monthly commitments.

What communication skills might you use to confirm Richard and Pauline's understanding and knowledge about credit and finance, as well as their current position, including establishing their requirements and objectives with the refinance?