Debt letters: what they mean and what to do
From reminders to default notices and court forms. How to read debt letters, and why you shouldn't ignore them.
Don't ignore the post
Unopened letters don't make debt go away, and deadlines keep running. Open them in one sitting, with someone you trust if that helps, and sort them into piles: priority debts, other debts, and court or bailiff letters.
Court papers come first
If you get a claim form from the County Court, you usually only have 14 days to respond. Get free debt advice the same day.
Writing back
Keep it short and factual. Say what you can afford, ask for interest and charges to be frozen, and keep copies. The Debt Confident app includes 28 letter templates for common situations.
Check before you pay
If a debt looks wrong, old, or you don't recognise it, ask the company to prove it before you pay anything. A debt adviser can help you check.
Go step by step with Debt Confident
The app turns this into a plan: what to do first, what to say, and what to write. Free to download.
More guides
- Priority debts: which bills to pay first
- Breathing Space: 60 days' protection from creditors
- Debt Relief Orders (DROs): who can get one
- Bailiffs (enforcement agents): your rights
- Bankruptcy: the basics
- How to make a budget that actually works
- Free debt advice: where to get it
General information for England and Wales, not regulated debt advice. Figures checked 21 September 2026. For advice about your situation, contact a free debt adviser.