Request to write off a joint debt - letter by Citizens Advice
The Citizens Advice template letter to request a joint debt write-off helps consumers ask a bank or creditor to forgive debts when they are unable to pay due to financial hardship. It is part of Citizens Advice’s widely trusted library of open, lawyer-vetted letter templates.
Request to write off a joint debt - letter
[debtor name]
[debtor address line 1]
[debtor address line 2]
[debtor phone]
[debtor email]
[creditor name]
[creditor address line 1]
[creditor address line 2]
[letter date]
Your reference: [reference number]
To whom it may concern,
Account names: [account holder names]
Account number: [account number]
We are sorry that we are unable to keep up our monthly payments to your company. This is because:
We're on long term sick and unable to work. We have claimed benefits and are waiting to hear the outcome of our claims. Our situation is unlikely to improve.
We enclose a copy of our financial statement. This shows income and expenses for our household. You will see from this information that we are unable to make any offer of payment.
Unfortunately, our circumstances are unlikely to improve in the foreseeable future and we have no assets to sell to help clear our debt. We are therefore asking you to consider writing off our debt as we can see no way of ever repaying it.
If you are unable to agree to this, please explain your reasons.
Thank you for your help and we look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
[debtor name]
Enc: Financial statement copy
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About this template
What is this template?
This is a formal request for debt cancellation rather than a repayment plan proposal. It explicitly states that the household is unable to make any offer of payment and includes an enclosure for a full financial statement. It is not a formal insolvency filing like a Debt Relief Order or Bankruptcy petition.
When should you use it?
Use this letter when you have a joint debt and absolutely no surplus income to offer a token payment. If you can afford even a small monthly amount, use a Debt Pro Rata Offer Letter instead.
What's inside
| Clause | Name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Fill-in section | Reason for Non-Payment | States that the debtors are on long-term sick leave and have no prospect of their financial situation improving. |
| financial statement | Financial Disclosure | Confirms the enclosure of a household financial statement detailing all income and expenses. |
| writing off our debt | Write-off Request | Formally asks the creditor to cancel the debt because the debtors have no assets and no way to repay. |
| explain your reasons | Request for Explanation | Obliges the creditor to provide a written explanation if they refuse to write off the debt. |
Who it's for
- joint account holders in the UK unable to make monthly payments due to long-term illness
- individuals with a household financial statement showing zero disposable income and no sellable assets
- debtors waiting on benefit claim outcomes who cannot foresee a future improvement in their financial status
How long it runs and how it's signed
England & Wales note
This version is drafted for England & Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland differ on some points — for example notice periods and tribunal procedure. Tell GitLaw where you hire and it adjusts the draft.
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