Personal Debt

What are the alternatives to formal debt solutions, such as DAS?

When you are in financial difficulty and need to find a solution to your debt problems, there are various formal routes that remove the stress of creditor legal action, and help you get back on the ri...

What is an earnings arrestment?

An Earnings Arrestment Order (EAO) is a form of ‘diligence’ that can be taken against you by a creditor. Diligence procedures are permitted once the creditor has been granted an appropriate court...

How to respond if a High Court Enforcement Officer contacts you

If you have been contacted by a High Court Enforcement Officer, it means that one of your creditors has been through court process to recover a debt. In Scotland, High Court Enforcement Officers are c...

I have lost my job and can’t afford to pay my bills. What next?

If you have lost your job and are unable to pay the bills, the first thing you should do is make a list of all your creditors. You will need to prioritise them, and then contact each one in turn.

Can I file for sequestration if a debt agency is chasing me?

If you’re filing for sequestration, you’ve probably been pursued by creditors or debt collection agencies for some time, and may view bankruptcy as the best way out of serious debt.

I’ve received an Earnings Arrestment Order - what next?

An Earnings Arrestment Order (EAO) allows the court to collect money from your wages in order to repay debts that you owe. These payments are deducted from your monthly salary until your debt is paid...

How long does a trust deed last in Scotland?

Scottish trust deeds offer a way out from serious debt, and the chance to rebuild your financial life once the trust deed term has ended. They’re a debt solution that’s only available to residents...

What is moratorium on diligence or moratorium protection?

If you finding it difficult to repay one or more of your creditors, and need more time to consider your options without the threat of legal action, you can now apply to the Accountant in Bankruptcy (A...

Gambling addiction – what help is available in Scotland?

Because it’s highly addictive, gambling on even a small scale can turn into an addiction that takes over your life. The fact that it’s also easily accessible online now only serves to exacerbate t...

Is there a link between personal debt and mental health?

Problem debt does not happen overnight. What may start as a niggling worry over how you are going to meet your next monthly payment, can quickly escalate into sleepless nights, and unfortunately for s...

Can Sheriff Officers legally enter my home?

Sheriff officers may become involved in the collection of your debt if the original creditor has made several unsuccessful attempts to recover their money, and gone on to obtain a court order against...

How to avoid selling valuable belongings to a pawnbroker

Using the services of a pawnbroker may be tempting if you need cash urgently and cannot obtain credit, don’t have a bank account, or are facing serious debt. But it may not be the best way to deal w...