Personal Debts Articles

Personal Debts

What happens if I can’t afford divorce legal fees?

The emotional strain of divorce can be overwhelming, and further exacerbated by uncertainty over money. Divorce is typically an expensive process, so what happens if you can’t afford to pay your div...

Personal Debts

Important advice on going bankrupt or declaring yourself bankrupt in Scotland

If you live in Scotland and are considering personal bankruptcy (sequestration), there are certain issues that you need to be aware of. These include an understanding of what will happen to your asset...

Personal Debts

How can I tell my partner I’m in debt?

Being in debt can be a huge burden that affects every part of your life, but one of the most difficult aspects is when you’re in a relationship, as it can be very difficult to tell your partner abou...

Personal Debts

Consequences of not paying your water bill in Scotland

The Scottish system of paying for water rates means that you receive notice of the amounts due within your council tax bill, if you don’t have a water meter fitted.

Personal Debts

Why Scottish individuals should be cautious of unregulated debt advice

As part of Scotland’s Financial Health Service, Scottish people in debt are obliged to obtain advice from an approved money advisor prior to entering insolvency processes such as the Debt Arrangemen...

Personal Debts

What is a Money Adviser in Scotland?

When you’re in debt and don’t know which way to turn, obtaining reliable and up-to-date advice is crucial.

Personal Debts

What are priority debts and how should I handle them?

When you are experiencing financial trouble, however temporary, it is important to divide your debts into priority and non-priority payments. Priority debts include mortgage or rent payments, utility...

Personal Debts

Can I use money from my pension to pay debts?

New pension regulations introduced in 2015 completely changed the way you can access your pension, and opened up what was previously a limited range of options. Some people choose to pay off debt with...

Personal Debts

Diligence against earnings – Information for Scots in debt

Diligence against earnings is a collective term for the ways creditors can deduct money directly from your salary in order to enforce the payment of a debt. The three methods are: earnings arrestment,...

Personal Debts

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...

Personal Debts

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.

Personal Debts

What are the best money-saving apps to help with debts?

If you are struggling with unmanageable debt, there are a number of apps which can help with better money management. Here is our pick of the best....