Debt Liability

In general, you are only liable for debts that you personally owe. You are not liable for your spouse's or sibling's debts unless the debt was taken out in joint names, or you acted as a guarantor for the debt.

If you have not heard from a creditor - someone to whom you owe money - contacted the creditor, or made any payments on a debt for over six years, the lender is usually barred from pursuing you. There are, however, some debts that can be pursued beyond six years, such as mortgage shortfalls, secured loans, and joint debts where one partner has been paying, and you should obtain specialist help from an advice agency or solicitor if you cannot deal with these debts.