Hearts have announced their intention to appoint an administrator at the club.
Reports on Monday suggested that the financially-stricken Scottish Premier League outfit were keen to seek help at Tynecastle.
"Heart of Midlothian plc can today confirm that it has served a notice of intention to appoint an administrator," read a statement on the club's official website.
"The notice was served at the Court of Session in Edinburgh this afternoon."
Hearts were recently hit with a transfer embargo after failing to pay their players on time.