Hesitated, taking note from daughter with debts (8)
I believe the answer is:
dithered
'hesitated' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'note from daughter with debts' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'note' could be 're' (as in do-re-mi) and 're' is found within the answer.
'daughter' could be 'd' (genealogical abbreviation) and 'd' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'taking' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dithered that I've seen before include "Vacillated, wavered" , "Vacillated indecisively" , "Was hesitant" , "was vacillating?" , "Vacillated, was indecisive" .)