Choosing a Scottish trust deed provider

Know who you are dealing with

Ask for the name of the proposed trustee, the firm administering the arrangement and the practitioner’s authorising body. Establish whether the person speaking to you works for that firm or is referring you elsewhere.

You can use the official insolvency practitioner finder as part of checking identity. Use independently obtained contact details if a message or payment request seems unusual.

Compare the written proposal

A meaningful comparison covers more than the payment:

• The fixed fee, percentage fee and expected expenses.
• The duration and total expected contributions.
• The precise treatment of home equity and vehicles.
• Review arrangements when income or costs change.
• What happens if creditors prevent protection.
• How complaints and urgent questions are handled.

Use our costs guide and assets guide to prepare the questions relevant to you.

Ask about alternatives and incentives

Ask why a trust deed is being recommended over other Scottish options. If the first contact is an introducer, ask who pays them, whether a referral payment is involved and who will receive your information.

Do not assume a service is independent simply because the initial conversation is free. Equally, a fee disclosure should be understood in context rather than used alone to judge suitability.

Be careful with outcome claims

An approval rate or write-off figure may describe a selected group of cases. Ask what period and sample it covers, whether the figures are forecasts or completed outcomes, and whether fees are included.

No historical statistic can guarantee your own protection decision or successful discharge.

Take time to understand

AiB guidance provides a minimum consideration period before signing after required advice and materials have been supplied. Use it to read the documents and seek clarification.

Ask for accessible documents, an interpreter or additional time if needed. Do not sign because you feel you are holding up a process you do not understand.

Keep a decision record

Write down the alternatives considered, the reasons for the recommendation and the answers about the issues most important to your household. Save this with the proposal.

A free Scottish debt advice service can help you review your options without this website passing your details to a provider.