Request to write off a joint debt - letter by Citizens Advice
Updated 3 November 2025
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
About this template
What is this template?
Request to write off a joint debt - letter by Citizens Advice is a free, ready-to-use Debt Finance template you can open, customize, and download on GitLaw. It gives you a professionally structured starting point, so you never have to draft from a blank page. The wording is plain and modern, organized into clear sections that are easy to read, edit, and adapt to your own situation before you share or sign it.
When should you use it?
Reach for this Debt Finance template whenever you need a reliable agreement quickly and want to be sure the essentials are covered. It suits individuals, freelancers, startups, and established businesses alike. Instead of paying for a document drafted from scratch, you can start here, tailor the details to your arrangement, and have a polished draft ready in minutes. This version is drafted with England & Wales in mind, though you should always review the final wording against the laws that apply to you.
What's typically included?
A well-drafted Debt Finance usually sets out the parties involved, the scope of the agreement, and each side's rights and responsibilities. Expect sections covering key terms and definitions, how long the agreement lasts, how it can be ended, and what happens if something goes wrong. This template brings those building blocks together in a sensible order, so you can focus on the specifics rather than worrying about what to include. Open it to read the full document, then sign up to edit, negotiate, and e-sign it directly in GitLaw.