Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Bankruptcy in Mackay - Changes to aid Small Business and Entrepreneurs



Do you recognize how much Bankruptcy Mackay is changing? The Australian Government at the end of 2015 put forward some progressive 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 stay bankrupt, but, this 3 year period may in fact be reduced to just 12 months. So if you are inquiring about Bankruptcy, this news may be considerably 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 improvements to the issue of Bankruptcy will take 18 months to implement. Mr Carnegie, went on to say in the Financial Review that shielding family assets was essential because "banks just terrorise small business and the mental health consequences to society are enormous".

The problem is Australia's bankruptcy laws prevented 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 surrounding this Bankruptcy issue in Mackay that some make is that this revision will only motivate fraudulent behavior opening pandora's box in a manner of speaking for the unscrupulous to exploitation of the bankruptcy system. We have looked 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 appeared in an unethical or fraudulent way, and there are no suggestions to change the effects of misrepresenting yourself or financial situation when filing for bankruptcy in Australia.

As a bankruptcy professional in Mackay, I have a fair share of experience when it comes to Bankruptcy. And having dealt with thousands of bankruptcy cases in Mackay I have never uncovered someone abusing the system or acting in an irresponsible way as to exploit the insolvency laws in Australia. When it comes to Bankruptcy, each week I help a small business owner or entrepreneur suffer through the very difficult task of bankruptcy, not once have I thought they are happy about it. The typical small business owner or entrepreneur in Mackay does not start out taking enormous financial risks with the intent to fail. The media prefers citing the apparent injustice 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 best and brightest in Mackay not get tossed out of the game financially for financial decisions often outside 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 exactly what the government is trying to do here, since they are trying to balance helping individuals who have made decisions out of their control, and deterring people from making miscalculations 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 undoubtedly don't want to shatter people simply because they have had an honest failure in a large or small start-up enterprise that has not panned out.

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 troubled they'll be personally responsible in an insolvency arrangement if the new project doesn't work out.

The government's suggested 'safe haven' modifications 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 changes will be destructive to Australia's economy, in reality these bankruptcy laws will save the tax payer in all areas of health - Especially in the mental health industry because the emotional cost of bankruptcy is extensive. When it comes to Bankruptcy in Mackay not a day passes where I don't find out the tragic experiences of relationship failures, thoughts of suicide and the list continues.


Bankruptcy helps save lives, and it could save yours. If you are in need of some assistance with your debts in Mackay or are just thinking of Bankruptcy, don't hesitate to contact us here at Bankruptcy Experts Mackay on 1300 795 575, or visit our website:bankruptcyexpertsmackay.com.au

Monday, July 4, 2016

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


When it comes to Bankruptcy Mackay, commonly people aren't aware that there are both voluntary, and involuntary bankruptcy - each have distinct approaches and guidelines.

Involuntary bankruptcy arises when a person you owe money to involves the court to declare you bankrupt. Commonly when you get one of these particular notices, you have 21 days to pay all the debt. If you don't, then the creditor returns to the court and asks the court to provide a sequestration order that declares you bankrupt. A trustee is assigned, and then you have 14 days to get the documents in and then you are bankrupt.

You can challenge 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. Other than the way you became bankrupt there is in fact no distinction between Involuntary Bankruptcy and or Voluntary Bankruptcy - once you are simply declared bankrupt, they're overseen to in the very same way.

However, when it comes to Bankruptcy for this, the stress and anxiety, torment and fear that accompanies this process is incredible. If you think you are prone to be made bankrupt by someone, get some assistance and act on that advice. Generally I've found it's always more ideal to know what you can and can't do before you have someone else bankrupt you. Once you are bankrupt, it's usually too late.

Voluntary Bankruptcy

Nevertheless, when it comes to Bankruptcy, sometimes there are moments that it is the most ideal option. So you may want 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 every one of your debts - if its longer than 3 years (the period you are declared bankrupt), then this may serve to 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 her account, and it was 35 years! Imagine 35 years for one credit card bill.

Credit rating damage can really 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 have to approach Bankruptcy.

In many ways, the ease with which companies/credit providers can default your credit file is unjustifiable. The punishment doesn't seem to equal the crime in my book. So if you actually 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 rubbed out completely.

So if your credit rating is a big element in trying to decide whether to take part 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 difference is that with a DA or PIA you pay back 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 part 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 specific 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 very good.

I don't claim to know why that is but a couple of 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 every one of your debts including ATO debts with the exception of 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 much more that can be said about doing this and Bankruptcy in general but the objective of this blog was to help you decide between a few available options. When getting some advice, keep in mind that there are always choices when it involves Bankruptcy in Mackay, so do some homework, and Good luck!


If you want to find out more about just what to do, where to turn and what questions to ask about Bankruptcy, then feel free to contact Bankruptcy Experts Mackay on 1300 795 575, or visit our website:bankruptcyexpertsMackay.com.au.