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#VIDEO – BANKRUPTCY INFORMATION ONLINE: WHAT EVERY CANADIAN OUGHT TO KNOW#

Is there bankruptcy information online?

There is a large amount of bankruptcy information online. Just go to the website of any Licensed Insolvency Trustee or bankruptcy lawyer. There is information about:

  • Canadian bankruptcy
  • the Canadian Bankruptcy Act (BIA)
  • general insolvency information

The Ira Smith Trustee website

On our website, you will find bankruptcy information online such as:

The other source for information online

You can also find relevant bankruptcy information online at the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada website.

To take action you have to take it offline

Once you have gotten the online information, to take action, you need to take it offline. It is not possible in Canada to file online yourself.

To file either a consumer proposal to make debt settlement or bankruptcy, you need to select a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee administers the insolvency process in Canada.

The 10 Step Program of the Canadian Insolvency System

  1. Meet with a trustee to talk about your personal situation and your options.
  2. Work with the trustee to complete the required forms.
  3. The trustee filing your consumer proposal or bankruptcy and notifying your creditors.
  4. You attend a meeting of creditors if required.
  5. You attend two counselling sessions.
  6. Subject to your provincial exemptions, the trustee sells your assets; you may also have to make surplus income payments to the trustee.
  7. In certain circumstances, you may have to attend an examination by an officer at the OSB.
  8. The trustee prepares a report to the OSB describing your actions during the bankruptcy.
  9. You attend the discharge hearing if required.
  10. Your discharge and then the trustee completes the administration.

This is why to take action in the Canadian insolvency system you have to take it offline

How To Take Action To Achieve Debt Settlement

If you’re in deep financial difficulties and are looking for a way out, there is help for you. You need help from experts in debt – professional trustees.

We are:

  1. regulated by the Canadian government, as are our fees;
  2. licensed and have undergone a background check by the RCMP;
  3. subject to a stringent code of ethics; and
  4. required to maintain our competence by completing ongoing mandatory professional development each year.

Are you an individual or company who feels your situation is hopeless? Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. can prepare and put in place the plan MADE JUST FOR YOU. The plan will free you from the burden of your financial challenges. With our help, you will go on to live a productive, stress-free, financially sound life.

Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. today. Starting Over, Starting Now you can free yourself from debt.

THIS VLOG WAS INSPIRED IN PART BY OUR eBOOK – PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY CANADA: Not because you are a dummy, because you need to get your life back on track

bankruptcy information online

Categories
Brandon Blog Post

BANKRUPTCY AND DIVORCE: NOT ALL REASONS TO GO BANKRUPT ARE GOOD

Bankruptcy and divorce, how to file bankruptcy in canada, information on bankruptcy, bankruptcy alternatives, bankruptcy, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, Blatherwick, Blatherwick v Blatherwick, Blatherwick v Blatherwick, 2015 ONSC 2606 (CanLII), debt, divorce, equalization payment, grey divorce support groups, insolvent, Mareva injunction, Revenue Canada, starting over starting now, trusteeBankruptcy and divorce

Whenever we speak to groups about bankruptcy and divorce, and especially to grey divorce support groups, the same questions always arise regarding the interplay between the Federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) and the Ontario family law provisions. I thought it would be best to address one such interesting issue in this week’s blog.

You may hate your soon-to-be ex, but the courts won’t allow you to use bankruptcy as a weapon against that spouse. Bankruptcy is legal proceeding involving an insolvent person or business that is unable to repay outstanding debts. It is not a way to avoid paying alimony or child support. There was a recent case that clearly demonstrates the court’s view on this very issue.

Blatherwick v Blatherwick

The case is Blatherwick v Blatherwick, 2015 ONSC 2606 (CanLII). The parties separated after 39 years of marriage. The wife was seeking spousal support and equalization, among other things. The husband disputed the amounts that the wife was seeking. The wife obtained a Mareva injunction which is a court order preventing a defendant from transferring assets until the outcome of the associated law suit is decided. However, the husband breached the Mareva injunction by declaring bankruptcy. And, to make matters worse he made false representations in bankruptcy, including the valuation of corporate assets and reporting of income. The husband thought that if he declared bankruptcy he would be putting his assets beyond the reach of his wife’s claim for equalization. (In a bona fide bankruptcy, it is true that an equalization claim is not a claim provable in the bankruptcy, unlike a claim for alimony and child support which cannot be extinguished as a result of a bankruptcy).

Unfortunately for Mr. Blatherwick, the intersection of bankruptcy and divorce does not work that way!

The Judge’s view on Mr. Blatherwick’s bankruptcy

The Judge stated:

“303 I find as a fact that Mr. Blatherwick made false statements which were significant in his Statement of Affairs.

304 I find as a fact that he made the assignment into bankruptcy to avoid making an equalization payment to Mrs. Blatherwick and to avoid his financial obligations arising from his voluntary disclosure to Revenue Canada.

305 I find as a fact that the purpose of Mr. Blatherwick going bankrupt was to obtain a collateral benefit in the matrimonial proceedings.

306 I conclude there was no bona fide financial reason for making a voluntary assignment into bankruptcy.”

Accordingly, the court annulled the bankruptcy. In the truest sense, it was as if the bankruptcy never happened at all. In this case, bankruptcy and divorce did could not be combined.

Summary

Trying to cheat the system by making false statements on your sworn statement of affairs to make yourself appear insolvent is never a good idea and can even lead to criminal charges. The bankruptcy can, as demonstrated in this case, be annulled.

If you are insolvent and are considering bankruptcy, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. We offer sound advice and a solid plan for Starting Over, Starting Now so that you’ll be well on your way to a debt free life in no time.

Call a Trustee Now!