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Minimal asset process (MAP) bankruptcy

MAP bankruptcy is a legal process that writes off most of your debts. This means you do not have to pay them back. You will not have to deal directly with the people you owe money to, known as your creditors, once you are bankrupt.

Is MAP bankruptcy right for me?

  This debt solution is only for people living in Scotland. Find out about bankruptcy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

MAP bankruptcy can give you a fresh start if you are finding it hard to pay back what you owe.

People who are on a low income and have few assets may benefit from MAP bankruptcy. It is cheaper and simpler than sequestration (full administration bankruptcy).

With over 30 years' experience offering free debt help, we will work with you to see if MAP bankruptcy is the right solution for you. We will also consider a wide range of other solutions that could be suitable for your situation.

How could MAP bankruptcy help me?

MAP bankruptcy is a form of insolvency. Insolvency is a legal process to get your debts written off, which means you will not have to pay them back.

You can apply to make yourself bankrupt, or the people you owe (your creditors) can apply to make you bankrupt if you do not pay them what you owe. This is not something that happens overnight. There are many steps that must be taken before you are declared bankrupt.

There are lots of ways to deal with debt besides bankruptcy. It is important to get debt advice first so you can see what options are open to you.

Our advisors at StepChange Scotland provide free advice and support across Scotland from our Glasgow office. We are approved money advisors to manage Scottish debt solutions. You can only apply for MAP bankruptcy through an approved organisation like us.

Debt free after six months

Six months after your MAP bankruptcy starts, your debts are written off. This means you will have a clean financial slate, and you can start to recover your credit file.

We deal with the application

We will take the stress away. You will have a dedicated case manager who will manage your application.

There are no fees

You will not pay a fee to go ahead with MAP bankruptcy. We also do not charge fees for our service.

Protection from creditors

Once your MAP bankruptcy has been awarded, your creditors must stop asking you for payments. They are also not allowed to add more interest and charges to your debts or take court action against you.

Benefits of an approved MAP bankruptcy

  • Debts are normally written off after six months. You will not have to pay them back
  • You are protected from creditors. They cannot chase you for payments or take court action. They cannot add any more interest or charges
  • Most debts can be included in a MAP bankruptcy. There are some that cannot be included like TV license arrears, court fines, student loans taken out after 1998 and fraudulent debts
  • We deal with your application. So you don't have to stress about the process
  • The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) will act as your 'trustee'. A trustee oversees and manages the details of your bankruptcy. They will deal with your creditors when your application is approved and support you through the whole process
  • You do not need to appear in court

Risks of an approved MAP bankruptcy

  • Bankruptcy will show on your credit file. It will stay there for at least six years, but it can be extended
  • You could be asked to pay monthly amounts for four years. Your Trustee may review your situation if things get better for you. At this point you could be asked to swap to Full Administration Bankruptcy and pay an amount towards it for up to four years
  • You may find it harder to borrow money in the future. There are some restrictions for people who have gone bankrupt
  • Your job may be affected. This usually only applies to certain types of jobs, like ones where you are responsible for handling money
  • You could lose any assets or lump sums of money you get. This applies for up to four years after your bankruptcy is approved. Assets will only be taken if they are over a certain value. If you are a homeowner, you can't go ahead with MAP bankruptcy
  • Your bankruptcy will appear on the public Register of Insolvencies. This usually lasts for at least two years. It could be longer if you are not discharged within six months

Ready to find out if MAP bankruptcy is right for you?

Use our online debt advice service to find out what options you have for dealing with your debt. Start, pause and pick up again in your own time.

Start online debt advice now

There is no impact on your credit score

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How do I find out if MAP bankruptcy is right for me?

  1. To find out if MAP bankruptcy is right for you, you will need to start by using our online debt help tool
  2. We need to learn more about you to give you advice. Through our online tool, we will ask you for details about yourself and your situation. This includes basic information about you, as well as information about your income, spending and debts. This can be a long process, but you can pause and come back at any time
  3. From the information you gave us, we will give you options on the best ways to deal with your debt. Make sure you read this through before making your choice. You may even be able to apply for debt moratorium. This will give you a break from having to worry about your debts while you get things sorted
  4. If MAP bankruptcy is right for you and you choose to go ahead with it, you will be assigned a case manager. They will support you with your application. When you choose to go ahead with MAP bankruptcy at this stage, it does not automatically make you bankrupt. There are several steps still to take after this stage
  5. When your application is complete, your case manager will submit your documents to The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB). Your bankruptcy will then usually be awarded in five days after it has been submitted

Common questions about MAP bankruptcy

You will need to meet the following criteria:

  • You live in Scotland or have lived in Scotland in the last year
  • You are on a low income. This can be defined in two ways: your income is made up of income-related benefits such as Universal Credit or the amount of money you earn covers your essential living costs, but you have nothing left over
  • Your debts are less than £25,000
  • Your car is worth £3,000 or less
  • Your other assets are worth less than £2,000 in total, with no single item worth more than £1,000
  • You are not a homeowner or own land
  • You have not been bankrupt in the last five years. Or had a MAP bankruptcy in the last ten years
  • You must not have £1000 or more in savings across all your bank accounts

The easiest way to find out if MAP is your best option is by using our free online debt advice tool.

It normally lasts for six months. After six months, your debts are usually written off.

If your circumstances change or you do not co-operate, it can be longer.

You must tell a lender you are bankrupt if you apply to borrow more than £2000 either by yourself or with someone else.

This lasts until six months after your bankruptcy ends.

It depends on your situation, for example:

  • Your bank can close your account:
    This only happens if there is a form of credit attached to your account, like an overdraft. You may find it hard to open another account, but our friendly advisors can offer advice and support if this has happened to you
  • Your job could be affected:
    Most jobs are not affected by MAP bankruptcy.
    It is a good idea to check your contract or speak to a money advisor or union representative before applying if you work in a role that involves handling money, financial regulation, or positions of trust. These could be jobs like bank staff, accountants, payroll, or finance officers.
    In many cases, there is no need to tell your employer, and people continue working as normal
  • If you rent:
    In most cases you can stay in your home, as long as you continue to pay rent and follow your tenancy agreement.
    Social landlords (such as councils and housing associations) are often familiar with MAP bankruptcy, and bankruptcy alone is not normally a reason for eviction.
    Private landlords usually do not act on an existing tenancy just because someone becomes bankrupt. Any rent owed from before the MAP bankruptcy may be included in the bankruptcy but rent due after it starts must still be paid.
    In the future, applying for a new tenancy may be harder because MAP bankruptcy appears on your credit file for six years. Some private landlords or letting agents may ask for a guarantor or a higher deposit. A money advisor can discuss ways to prepare for this if a move is likely
  • If you are self-employed:
    Bankruptcy may make it harder to trade. Especially if you rely on credit to pay for stock or services.

Both MAP and sequestration are forms of bankruptcy in Scotland. They do have some similarities, but they are different solutions.

MAP bankruptcy:

  • Lasts for six months
  • Has no fees
  • No minimum debt balance to be eligible (but a maximum debt balance of £25,000)

Sequestration (full administration bankruptcy):

  • Lasts for 12 months
  • Has a £150 fee
  • Minimum debt balance of £3,000 to be eligible (but no maximum debt balance)

Find out more about sequestration.

No, MAP bankruptcy is only available if you currently live in Scotland or have lived in Scotland in the last 12 months. A debt relief order (DRO) is a similar solution available in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. But it has different benefits and risks.

About StepChange Debt Charity Scotland

For more than 30 years, we have helped hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland deal with debt.

In our Glasgow head office, we have expert teams of advisors who specialise in giving free debt advice to people living in Scotland.

We are an approved organisation for providing advice and managing Scottish debt solutions.

We also campaign on your behalf to make changes to law and policies. We use the real experience of our clients to drive home the need for change. Read our latest 'Scotland in the Red' report.

Find out more about debt solutions in Scotland

Debt happens. We deal with it.

We have helped millions of people since 1993.

Find out how.

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