It’s a fair question: can you actually get debt written off? In Scotland, some unsecured debt may be written off through a Protected Trust Deed or sequestration — but only in the right circumstances, subject to your creditors, and never guaranteed. Here’s an honest look at what’s really possible.
The solutions we advise on are debt solutions, not loans; some are forms of insolvency, are recorded on a public register and will affect your credit rating. Your initial advice is free and there’s no obligation; if you go ahead, fees apply and are shown to you in full first. We’re a commercial service — free, independent debt advice is also available from MoneyHelper and the Scottish Government.
You’ll see a lot of advertising promising to “write off” large chunks of debt. The honest position is more nuanced: debt is generally only written off through a form of insolvency, and how much — if any — depends entirely on your circumstances and what your creditors agree to. There is no fixed percentage and no guarantee.
In Scotland there are two routes that can lead to write-off. A Protected Trust Deed lets you pay what you can afford for around four years, after which qualifying unsecured debt you still can’t afford may be written off (if creditors agree). Sequestration — Scottish bankruptcy — can write off most unsecured debts, but it’s usually a last resort with significant consequences.
If you can actually repay what you owe given time, writing debt off may not be appropriate at all — a Debt Arrangement Scheme lets you clear your debts in full with interest frozen. We’ll always tell you honestly which route fits, and point you to free, impartial advice too.
Write-off isn’t a service you buy — it’s the outcome of a formal insolvency solution, and only after you’ve paid what you can afford.
We look honestly at your income, outgoings and debts to see whether a write-off route is appropriate — or whether repaying in full is more realistic.
In a Trust Deed you make one affordable monthly payment, based on what you can genuinely afford, for the term of the arrangement.
At the end, qualifying unsecured debt you still couldn’t afford may be written off — subject to your creditors’ agreement, and not guaranteed.
Free, confidential advice with no obligation. We’ll give you an honest picture of your options.
See if you qualify →For the right person, these solutions offer real relief. Here are some of the main advantages.
Bring your unsecured debts together into a single monthly payment based on what you can realistically afford.
We deal with your creditors directly, so you no longer have to liaise with them yourself.
Once your solution is in place, interest and charges on the debts included are frozen so the balance stops growing.
Dealing with Scottish debt is all we do, so the advice you get is tailored to the solutions available where you live.
Writing off debt means insolvency, which is a serious step. It isn’t automatic, isn’t guaranteed, and isn’t right for everyone. We’ll fully explain the implications and check any solution is affordable, achievable and suitable — another option may be better for you.
How much (if any) unsecured debt is written off depends entirely on your circumstances and your creditors’ agreement. There is no set percentage and nothing is promised.
Debt is generally only written off through a form of insolvency — a Protected Trust Deed or sequestration. Both are serious, formal processes with lasting consequences.
A Trust Deed and sequestration are recorded on the public Register of Insolvencies, which anyone can search.
These solutions affect your credit rating for years and make obtaining credit harder. If you’re already behind, your rating is likely affected already.
Only unsecured debts can be written off. Secured debts such as your mortgage, and certain debts like court fines, cannot.
In a Trust Deed the trustee has an interest in any equity in your home; in sequestration your assets may be affected. We’ll explain exactly how this could apply to you.
If the following sounds like you, a solution that can write off unaffordable debt may be worth exploring. There are other factors we’ll assess, such as your property status and income.
Whether — and how much — debt can be written off depends entirely on your circumstances, and our guide on how much debt you need for a Trust Deed explains where the threshold sits. We’ll give you an honest assessment.
Check if you qualify Free initial advice · No guarantees on write-off · Fees apply if you proceed and are shown in full firstYour initial advice is free and there’s no obligation. Trust-Deeds.co.uk is a trading style of My Debt Plan Ltd — a commercial, profit-seeking service, paid for the debt solution you enter into.
If you go ahead with a Protected Trust Deed, your trustee is paid a fixed administration fee plus a further fee based on a percentage of the funds collected during the Trust Deed. These fees are paid from the monthly payments you make, before money is distributed to your creditors — so there is no separate upfront fee. On a Debt Arrangement Scheme, a fee is taken from your monthly payment to cover administering and distributing it to your creditors. Whichever route suits you, all fees are explained and disclosed to you in full before you sign anything.
Both are forms of insolvency with lasting consequences. If repaying in full is realistic, a DAS may be more appropriate — we’ll always explain the advantages, disadvantages and risks.
A Scottish alternative to bankruptcy for unsecured debts over £5,000. One affordable monthly payment, typically over around four years, after which qualifying unsecured debt you can’t afford is written off (subject to creditor agreement, not guaranteed). A form of insolvency recorded on a public register.
Learn about Trust Deeds →The Scottish form of bankruptcy. Most, if not all, unsecured debts are written off and creditors must stop contacting you, but it’s recorded on a public register, affects your credit rating and carries restrictions while you’re bankrupt.
Learn about sequestration →Find out in minutes what’s realistically possible for your debts — honestly, with no false promises. It’s free, confidential and there’s no obligation.
Answer a few quick questions about your situation and a debt advisor at My Debt Plan Ltd will be in touch to talk through your options. It’s free, confidential and there’s no obligation.
See if you qualify →Prefer to speak to someone? Call us on
0161 464 0870Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Private & confidential, no obligation
Free, independent debt advice is also available from MoneyHelper, StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice Scotland.
The thresholds, the comparisons and the routes, explained without the sales pitch.
Facing your debt is the first step towards dealing with it. Free, confidential guidance — with no judgment and no obligation.
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