Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Bankruptcy in Maitland - Changes that help Small Business and Entrepreneurs


Do you recognize just how much Bankruptcy Maitland is changing? The Australian Government at the end of 2015 submitted some innate changes to the Bankruptcy Laws in Australia. One of the most significant of these is the length of time that a person is bankrupt for. At the moment, there is a minimum amount of time that you must remain bankrupt, but, this 3 year period may very well be reduced to just 12 months. So if you are inquiring about Bankruptcy, this news may be rather important to you.

Mark Carnegie in the Financial Review on the 7th December 2015 proposed that "the proposed changes to ease the burden of bankruptcy laws didn't go far enough and the government should adopt US-style laws to protect the family home".

These adjustments to the issue of Bankruptcy will take 18 months to implement. Mr Carnegie, went on to say in the Financial Review that giving protection to family assets was very important because "banks just terrorise small business and the mental health consequences to society are enormous".

The problem is Australia's bankruptcy laws discouraged investors from supporting start-ups, and therefore mentoring had been "driven out of the system".

"They naturally find it very intimidating themselves personally and with their assets at risk in a risky early-stage deal, but with their own money in the deal and a lightened-up provision I think we 'd probably see more willingness. It could be more important than the money."

Fraudulent Behavior

The debate around this Bankruptcy issue in Maitland that some make is that this change will only encourage fraudulent behavior opening pandora's box so to speak for the unscrupulous to misuse of the bankruptcy system. We have looked into the minimum, but on the other side of the issue, The government is not suggesting to change the maximum term of 8 years if it deems a bankrupt has appeared in an unethical or fraudulent way, and there are no suggestions to change the implications of misrepresenting yourself or financial position when filing for bankruptcy in Australia.

As a bankruptcy professional in Maitland, I have a fair share of experience when it comes to Bankruptcy. And having dealt with thousands of bankruptcy cases in Maitland I have never caught someone abusing the system or acting in an irresponsible way as to exploit the bankruptcy laws in Australia. When it comes to Bankruptcy, every week I help a small business owner or entrepreneur look at the very problematic task of bankruptcy, not once have I perceived they are happy about it. The typical small business owner or entrepreneur in Maitland does not start out taking enormous financial risks with the intent to fail. The media really loves citing the apparent wrongdoing that will be rampant if these changes occur, what a joke!

A Win for Small Business

These proposed changes will be good for often the most effective and brightest in Maitland not get tossed out of the game financially for financial decisions often out of their control. Most small business owners I help with Bankruptcy, are hardworking, tax paying, managers keeping this country going.

Now there is a fine line with precisely what the government is trying to do here, since they are aiming to balance helping individuals who have made decisions out of their control, and deterring people from making oversights that land them in trouble and consequently an issue of Bankruptcy. However you likewise don't want to destroy the experience and knowledge that business owners have. You absolutely don't want to smash people simply because they have had an honest failure in a large or small start-up enterprise that has not gone well.

At the big end of town large established companies have long been criticised for their failure to innovate - lets face it they would be more likely to do so if the risks of insolvency were lessened because directors are distressed they'll be personally accountable in an insolvency arrangement if the new endeavour doesn't work out.

The government's proposed 'safe haven' changes for directors of companies will enable Australia to more fully explore and innovate, which will make big updates for Bankruptcy. I can not imagine, that these revisions will be damaging to Australia's economy, in reality these bankruptcy laws will save the tax payer in all areas of health - Especially in the mental health sector because the emotional cost of bankruptcy is substantial. When it comes to Bankruptcy in Maitland not a day passes where I don't find out the tragic stories of relationship failures, thoughts of suicide and the list continues.


Bankruptcy helps save lives, and it could save yours. If you want some help with your debts in Maitland or are just thinking about Bankruptcy, feel free to call us here at Bankruptcy Experts Maitland on 1300 795 575, or visit our website: bankruptcyexpertsmaitland.com.au

Monday, July 4, 2016

Bankruptcy in Maitland - does it matter if it is voluntary?


When it comes to Bankruptcy Maitland, generally people aren't aware that there can be both voluntary, and involuntary bankruptcy - each have distinct methods and policies.

Involuntary bankruptcy takes place when somebody you owe money to applies to the court to declare you bankrupt. Usually when you get one of those notices, you have normally 21 days to pay all the debt. If you do not, then the creditor returns to the court and requests the court to issue a sequestration order that declares you bankrupt. A trustee is selected, and then you have 14 days to get the paperwork in and after that you are bankrupt.

You can object to a bankruptcy notice by going to court following the 21 days have expired and put your case forward, to avoid it going to the next level. Apart from the way you became bankrupt there is in reality no difference between Involuntary Bankruptcy and or Voluntary Bankruptcy - once you are declared bankrupt, they're conducted to in the very same way.

However, when it concerns Bankruptcy for this, the stress and anxiety, torment and fear that accompanies this method is incredible. If you think you are prone to be made bankrupt by someone, get some tips and act on that advice. Generally I've found it's always much better to know what you can and can't do before you have someone bankrupt you. Once you are bankrupt, it's typically far too late.

Voluntary Bankruptcy

Nevertheless, when it comes to Bankruptcy, sometimes there are moments that it is the most effective option. So you may have to ask yourself, 'when should I consider voluntary Bankruptcy?'.

This question is not the very same for everyone of course, but typically I find that one way you could work it out is to figure out just how long it will take you to pay each of your debts - if its longer than 3 years (the period you are declared bankrupt), then this may really help you make that decision, and help you to understand Bankruptcy.

Once, I had an 80 year old pensioner, who came to me once regarding * Bankrupcty tell me that her credit card statement calculated how long her debt would take to pay at the level she was paying off her account, and it was 35 years! Imagine 35 years for one credit card bill.

Credit rating damage can help you think this through. If you move house and overlook to pay your $30 phone bill for 6 months more, it's very likely the telephone company will default your credit file. That default will remain on your file for 5 years, so for $30 you can have your credit file seriously damaged for that period of time - and all of this will impact how you need to approach Bankruptcy.

In many ways, the ease with which companies/credit providers can default your credit file is vicious. The punishment doesn't seem to equate to the crime in my book. So if you actually have defaults on your credit report for 5 years, remember that bankruptcy is on your credit file for a total 7 years then its wiped off completely.

So if your credit rating is a big aspect in trying to decide whether to enter into a Debt Agreement or Personal Insolvency Agreement or Bankruptcy remember they will all sit on your credit file for a total of 7 years. The biggest contrast is that with a DA or PIA you repay the money and nevertheless have it on your file for 7 years.

Bankruptcy

I have stated the word a few times now, but when it comes down to it, Bankruptcy is the biggest part, and the element more people are afraid of when they come to me to review their financial situation and Bankruptcy. The other side of crime and punishment equation is bankruptcy, and in this country the provisions are very generous: you can go bankrupt owing millions of dollars and after 3 years it's all over with no strings attached. Compared to countries like the United States, our bankruptcy laws are quite good.

I don't claim to know why that is but a few hundred years ago debtors went to prison. Nowadays I suppose the government assumes the sooner it can get you back on your feet working and paying tax, the better. It makes more sense than locking you up which costs the taxpayer anyway.

Bankruptcy wipes all your debts including ATO debts except for a few things:

·         Centrelink Debts, Court Fines like parking and speeding fines.
·         HECS or Fee Help loans.
·         Money to pay for a car accident if the car was not actually insured.

There is a lot more that can be said about this and Bankruptcy in general but the purpose of this blog was to help you decide between a few available options. When getting some advice, keep in mind that there are always alternatives when it concerns Bankruptcy in Maitland, so do some groundwork, and Good luck!


If you would like to find out more about exactly what to do, where to turn and what questions to ask about Bankruptcy, then feel free to consult with Bankruptcy Experts Maitland on 1300 795 575, or visit our website: bankruptcyexpertsMaitland.com.au.