What debts can I include in my bankruptcy application?
You can include the following debts in your bankruptcy application:
- Unsecured debts like credit cards, personal loans or overdrafts
- Unsecured debts in joint names*
- Priority household arrears, like council tax
- County Court judgments
- Benefit overpayments
*If you include any joint debts in your bankruptcy application the other person who took out this debt with you will become responsible for repaying the full outstanding balance.
What forms do I need to go bankrupt?
In the past, going bankrupt meant completing two paper forms, and presenting these to the court. In England and Wales this process changed in 2016 and you can now apply for bankruptcy online.
If you live in Northern Ireland you can apply for part of the process through the Insolvency Service Public Portal, although you'll still have to attend a court hearing.
You still need to provide the same type of information as the old paper forms, but you can complete each section in your own time. Each section has been made easier, and has guidance on what information is needed.
Going bankrupt
If you live in England or Wales and bankruptcy is the best solution for you, you’ll need to access an online application through www.gov.uk and pay the bankruptcy fees. You can find out more about declaring bankruptcy and what you need to do in this section.
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