Debt Relief Information

What is Bankruptcy?


Here is a useful guide to bankruptcy. It should be noted that bankruptcy is not to be entered into without first having sought professional advice.

Bankruptcy is seen as the last resort. Bankruptcy is perceived to be the only way to escape the ever-constant demands for payment by bill collectors and credit companies alike.

Bankruptcy is not something that should be rushed in to. Certainly there are times when it can be very useful, but there are other times when declaring bankruptcy would be a big mistake.

The purpose of bankruptcy is to convert your possessions, and any wages you receive, into lump sum and instalment payments for creditors. A debtors purpose to apply for their own bankruptcy is to form a moratorium (a group of creditors) to agree part repayment of all outstanding debts, and when the agreed repayment has been met, to have a 'clean slate'.

The constraints which are put upon you once you are declared bankrupt make it only a viable option in the most extreme of cases. It is more likely that an Individual Voluntary Arrangement will be the answer to severe debt problems, since it provides much of the relief offered by bankruptcy but without the severe constraints which bankruptcy imposes.

Individual creditors cannot take action against you. They must make a claim through the 'trustee' (the name of the person who controls a bankruptcy) or write off their debt.

When appointed the trustee will advertise your demise in a number of newspapers to give all of your creditors a chance to make a claim against the bankruptcy.

It is also the responsibility of the bankrupt to make an honest list of all creditors: as a bankruptcy is also a chance to start again the bankrupt should ensure every creditor is notified. Not that a creditor could make a claim against you after a bankruptcy, but it will get all your creditors of your back.

A bankruptcy order takes precedence over all other forms of debt recovery. All creditors have the right to be included in the list of creditors, and benefit from any payment arrangement.

If you own your home you would be fortunate to keep it. You can keep household 'essentials' such as, bed, fridge, heating appliances but not, TV's, video recorders, computers - unless used for work, or used to get work.

All 'tools of trade' are protected, but will be scrutinized.

A bankruptcy will normally last until the third anniversary of the bankruptcy order. During this time you are not allowed to hold a public office, become a company director (or in all but name run a business) and you must not apply for credit over Ł250 without notifying the lender of your bankruptcy.

Your credit file will show your bankruptcy for six years from the bankruptcy order.

You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:

About The Author

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.


MORE RESOURCES:

Ivory Coast Could Get Debt Relief Mid-2009 –World Bank
World Bank Group, DC - 41 minutes ago
“Ivory Coast could reach a decision point on getting debt relief under a program for poor countries by the end of the year and then clear over $3 billion of ...


The Associated Press

US mortgage bailout brings relief to Asia
CNNMoney.com - 2 hours ago
By injecting cash into the debt market, it is also expected to stabilize global markets. The government may buy up to $100 billion of preferred stock in ...
World stocks soar after Freddie, Fannie bailouts The Associated Press
Fan-Fred Plan Pleases Global Watchers Wall Street Journal
Europe and Asia Follow Wall Street Lower New York Times
all 296 news articles


Gulf Times

Ivory Coast could get debt relief mid-2009 - World Bank
Reuters South Africa, South Africa - Sep 6, 2008
This is Ivory Coast's third attempt at HIPC debt relief. According to Economy and Finance Minister Charles Diby Koffi, external debt repayments amount to ...
W. Bank says Ivorian aid tied to cleaning up cocoa Reuters South Africa
all 12 news articles


Botswana, Japan sign debt relief agreement
Dailynews, Botswana - Sep 7, 2008
By Puso Kedidimetse GABORONE - The government will use the proceeds of debt relief to undertake projects that address poverty and promote social and ...


Irish Independent

Sweet Relief In Asia At GSE Bailout
Forbes, NY - 6 hours ago
Asian financial institutions are among the largest holders of long-term debt of US government agencies, led by China and Japan, which held $376 billion and ...
The Bailout of Fannie and Freddie: Temporary relief but a real ... BloggingStocks
US Takeover of Mortgage Giants Lifts Stock Markets New York Times
Stocks surge in Europe and Asia after US mortgage takeover International Herald Tribune
guardian.co.uk - Seeking Alpha
all 377 news articles


Wall Street Journal

A Sigh of Relief, but Hard Questions Remain
New York Times, United States - 14 hours ago
What is more, the plan will do little to stem losses in risky home loans, commercial mortgages and debt used by private equity firms to acquire companies. ...
Video: Mortgage Meltdown Q & A CBS
The move could give a boost to the US housing market BBC News
Short-term relief for Freddie and Fannie Otago Daily Times
Moneyweb - CNNMoney.com
all 7,020 news articles


BBC News

Progress seen in debt relief for poor countries
Pakistan Dawn, Pakistan - Sep 4, 2008
By Masood Haider UNITED NATIONS, Sept 4: A new UN report finds significant progress in providing debt relief to the world’s poorest countries. ...
Poverty-reduction aid lags, study finds Los Angeles Times
DEVELOPMENT: UN Warns of Faltering Goals on Aid, Trade IPS
Donors’ Aid to Poor Nations Declines, UN Reports New York Times
UN News Centre - Reuters South Africa
all 184 news articles


Boston Globe

Hurricane Relief Efforts Create Red Cross Debt, Nonprofit Says
Washington Post, United States - Sep 5, 2008
By Philip Rucker The American Red Cross said this morning it is going deep into debt to fund a $70 million Hurricane Gustav relief effort, ...
Red Cross National Relief Fund In The Red First Coast News
all 345 news articles


Handloom weavers may get debt relief
Business Standard, India - Sep 2, 2008
After the debt waiver scheme for farmers, the Union government is hoping to extend a similar scheme for handloom weavers. The Union textiles ministry, ...


Graduation, then first job, now it’s payback time
TheChronicleHerald.ca, Canada - 10 hours ago
According to a report by the Millennium Scholarship Foundation, the average Canadian student debt load for an undergraduate degree as of 2006 was just over ...

debt relief - Google News

home | site map
© 2006
web www.worldbizinfo.com