First point of advice would be to take a deep breath and slow way, way down. Everyone is pressuring you because they know you don't have cash and they want to get paid first before everyone else out of a dwindling set of assets. Slow the process down. Time - although it may not seem like it now - is on your side. Don't sell your car, don't take on a consumer loan. Slow down.
Your debt, while big to you, is minimal to the people you are working with, so they should be open to working through the issue with you.
a) Your lawyer, if it's a big firm, probably has a $2-3mm+ book, and a non-collection of $3k isn't going to effect them one bit. S/he has an incentive to work with you to come to an agreement on payment (if any) to maintain the relationship. Treat them with respect and you will get it in return. Deal with this bill last because it will be the easiest to manage.
b) $6k rackspace bill. Escalate the issue through the accounts payable department by explaining the situation and telling them they aren't going to get paid in full. If the first person on the phone doesn't get it, escalate to the next level, then the next level, etc. The gatekeeper's job is to put pressure on you to pay and create anxiety, which they seem to have done.
Once you get someone willing to work with you, fight to reduce the balance and then extend the payables as much as possible. For the value of the balance, figure out what rackspace could get by selling your receivable to a collections agency and offer slightly more - if they get $.18 per dollar owed, agree to pay $.19. Then, stretch the time period as much as possible.
c) Merchant account. This is where I would focus. This is your greatest exposure. Even if you didn't sign a personal guarantee, this could follow you professionally. Get on the phone with the merchant account holder and start dealing. Get the balance down to their cost first (that shouldn't be hard), and then see if you can grind it down farther. They have a loss reserve for this exact reason. Be open and transparent and pay the least amount possible while avoiding getting on the blacklist.
Bankruptcy (I'm not an attorney, so take this with the necessary grain of salt) is the last resort. It's long and painful for everyone involved - including you - and none of your creditors want to go there. Your creditors have an interest in working out your debts with you without going to court.
Your debt, while big to you, is minimal to the people you are working with, so they should be open to working through the issue with you.
a) Your lawyer, if it's a big firm, probably has a $2-3mm+ book, and a non-collection of $3k isn't going to effect them one bit. S/he has an incentive to work with you to come to an agreement on payment (if any) to maintain the relationship. Treat them with respect and you will get it in return. Deal with this bill last because it will be the easiest to manage.
b) $6k rackspace bill. Escalate the issue through the accounts payable department by explaining the situation and telling them they aren't going to get paid in full. If the first person on the phone doesn't get it, escalate to the next level, then the next level, etc. The gatekeeper's job is to put pressure on you to pay and create anxiety, which they seem to have done.
Once you get someone willing to work with you, fight to reduce the balance and then extend the payables as much as possible. For the value of the balance, figure out what rackspace could get by selling your receivable to a collections agency and offer slightly more - if they get $.18 per dollar owed, agree to pay $.19. Then, stretch the time period as much as possible.
c) Merchant account. This is where I would focus. This is your greatest exposure. Even if you didn't sign a personal guarantee, this could follow you professionally. Get on the phone with the merchant account holder and start dealing. Get the balance down to their cost first (that shouldn't be hard), and then see if you can grind it down farther. They have a loss reserve for this exact reason. Be open and transparent and pay the least amount possible while avoiding getting on the blacklist.
Bankruptcy (I'm not an attorney, so take this with the necessary grain of salt) is the last resort. It's long and painful for everyone involved - including you - and none of your creditors want to go there. Your creditors have an interest in working out your debts with you without going to court.