+1 what callybags has stated.
"Payment terms" are sometimes referred to "terms and conditions" or "the small print" in insurance contracts.
Its important that you draw your customers attention to these from day one.
They should confirm this back to you or you should write to them confirming that you pointed these out.
Having done this will stand to you if you have to resort to legal action as suggested by Clubman.
The Courts are reasonable towards people who have fallen on hard times, but they are not foolishly forgiving.
If you can show that you did things by the book, using terms and conditions, this may help you prove your case.
The court may form the view that your client is misinforming the court as to his means and you may be more likely to get an order from the court.
If you do go to court, your client may play the card of "if I have a judgement (order) made against me I'll lose my credit rating - you don't want that do you?"
Don't fall for this - it may be true as far as it goes, but there are other ways to resolve matters.
You can suggest to your client that he voluntarily enters into an agreement to make scheduled payments for an agreed amount, which may include solicitors fees to date.
This agreement may then be registered with the Court and is a firm commitment to pay and if he fails to pay the court may then issue an order for the full amount.
The courts know you cannot get blood from a stone and its not a crime to be poor.
It is a crime to withhold payments from people who are due them if you are in a position to pay.
The courts will look very askance on people who enter into a formal agreement to pay who fail to follow up on it.