Respectively, a person who owes a debt and a person to whom the debt is owed.
Usually the debtor has received something from the creditor, in return for which the debtor has promised to make repayment at a later time. If the debtor fails to repay by the deadline, a formal collection process may commence. It is sometimes possible to attach the debtor's property, wages, or bank account as a means of forcing payment. Imprisonment of the debtor is a practice no longer followed. See also garnishment , lien .