Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Bankruptcy in Coffs Harbour - Changes to help Small Business and Entrepreneurs


Do you have an idea of how much Bankruptcy CoffsHarbour is changing? The Australian Government in late 2015 recommended some innate changes to the Bankruptcy Laws in Australia. The most significant of these is the length of time that a person is bankrupt for. At this time, there is a minimum amount of time that you must continue to be bankrupt, however, this 3 year period may in fact be reduced down to just 12 months. So if you are inquiring about Bankruptcy, this news may be somewhat 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 alterations to the issue of Bankruptcy will take 18 months to implement. Mr Carnegie, went on to say in the Financial Review that protecting 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 as a result 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 argument about this Bankruptcy issue in Coffs Harbour that some come up with is that this shift will only reinforce fraudulent behavior opening pandora's box so to speak for the unscrupulous to defilement of the bankruptcy system. We have taken a look at the minimum, but on the other side of the matter, The government is not proposing to change the maximum term of 8 years if it deems a bankrupt has acted in an unethical or fraudulent way, and there are no recommendations to change the effects of misrepresenting yourself or financial position when filing for bankruptcy in Australia.

As a bankruptcy professional in Coffs Harbour, I have a decent share of knowledge when it comes to Bankruptcy. And having dealt with countless bankruptcy cases in Coffs Harbour 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, each week I help a small business owner or entrepreneur look at the very challenging task of bankruptcy, not once have I thought they are happy about it. The typical small business owner or entrepreneur in Coffs Harbour does not start out taking enormous financial risks with the intention to fail. The media loves citing the apparent injustice that will be rampant if these changes occur, what a joke!

A Win for Small Business

These suggested changes will be good for often the best and brightest in Coffs Harbour not get kicked 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.

There is a fine line with the things the government is trying to do here, because they are attempting to balance helping people who have made decisions out of their control, and discouraging people from making oversights that land them in trouble and therefore an issue of Bankruptcy. However you also don't want to kill the experience and knowledge that business owners have. You surely don't want to smash people simply because they have had a sincere failure in a large or small start-up enterprise that has not gone well.

At the major 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 decreased because directors are distressed they'll be personally responsible in an insolvency arrangement if the new project doesn't work out.

The government's proposed 'safe haven' modifications for directors of companies will enable Australia to more fully explore and innovate, which will make big changes for Bankruptcy. I cannot imagine, that these differences will be detrimental to Australia's economy, actually 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 extensive. When it comes to Bankruptcy in Coffs Harbour not a day goes by where I don't find out the tragic stories of relationship failures, thoughts of suicide and the list goes on.


Bankruptcy helps save lives, and it could save yours. If you need some assistance with your debts in Coffs Harbour or are just considering Bankruptcy, feel free to phone us here at Bankruptcy Experts Coffs Harbour on 1300 795 575, or visit our website: bankruptcyexpertscoffsharbour.com.au

Monday, July 4, 2016

Bankruptcy in Coffs Harbour - does it matter if it is voluntary?


When it comes to Bankruptcy Coffs Harbour, usually people aren't aware that there are both voluntary, and involuntary bankruptcy - both have different methods and guidelines.

Involuntary bankruptcy occurs when somebody you owe money to involves the court to declare you bankrupt. Normally when you get one of these kinds of notices, you have 21 days to pay all the debt. If you don't, then the creditor goes back 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 documents in then afterwards 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 stop 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 managed to in the same way.

However, when it comes to Bankruptcy for this, the stress, torment and fear that accompanies this process is incredible. If you think you are in all likelihood to be made bankrupt by someone, get some advice and act on that advice. Generally I've found it's always far better to know what you can and can't do before you have an individual bankrupt you. Once you are bankrupt, it's normally too late.

Voluntary Bankruptcy

Alternatively, when it comes to Bankruptcy, sometimes there are times that it is the most ideal option. So you may need to ask yourself, 'when should I consider voluntary Bankruptcy?'.

This question is not the very same for everyone of course, but commonly I find that one way you could work it out is to figure out just how long it will take you to pay all 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 rate 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 fail to remember 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 sit on your file for 5 years, so for $30 you can have your credit file very seriously damaged for that period of time - and all of this will affect how you need to approach Bankruptcy.

In many ways, the ease with which companies/credit providers can default your credit file is unethical. The punishment doesn't seem to match the crime in my book. So if you currently have defaults on your credit report for 5 years, keep in mind that bankruptcy is on your credit file for a total 7 years then its erased completely.

So if your credit rating is a big aspect in trying to decide whether to participate in 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 variation is that with a DA or PIA you pay back the money and still 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 most people are afraid of when they come to me to talk about 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 finished with no strings attached. As compared to countries like the United States, our bankruptcy laws are really reasonable.

I don't claim to know why that is but a few hundred years ago debtors went to prison. These days I suppose the government thinks 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 in turn 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 take care of a car accident if the car was not insured.

There is far 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 possible options. When getting some advice, always remember that there are always possibilities when it involves Bankruptcy in Coffs Harbour, so do some study, and Good luck!


If you wish to learn more about just what to do, where to turn and what questions to ask about Bankruptcy, then don't hesitate to talk to Bankruptcy Experts Coffs Harbour on 1300 795 575, or visit our website:bankruptcyexpertsCoffs Harbour.com.au.