Bankruptcy
What is bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy is one way of dealing with debts you cannot pay. The bankruptcy proceedings will free you from overwhelming debts so you can make a fresh start, subject to some restrictions; and make sure your assets are shared out fairly among your creditors. Anyone can go bankrupt, including individual members of a partnership.
How are you made bankrupt?
A court makes a bankruptcy order only after a bankruptcy petition has been presented. It is usually presented either by yourself (debtor’s petition); or by one or more creditors who are owed at least £750 by you and that amount is unsecured (creditor’s petition).
Bankruptcy petitions are usually presented at a county court near to where you trade or live or at the High Court in London.
What happens to my assets?
You will no longer control your assets.
You can keep the following items unless their individual value is more than the cost of a reasonable replacement: tools, books, vehicles and other items of equipment which you need to use personally in your employment, business or vocation; clothing, bedding, furniture, household equipment and other basic items you and your family need in the home. The Official Receiver or any insolvency practitioner who is appointed as trustee will take control of all your other assets on the making of the bankruptcy order. He will dispose of them and use the money to pay the fees, costs and expenses of the bankruptcy and then your creditors.
What happens to my home?
If you own your home, whether freehold or leasehold, solely or jointly, mortgaged or otherwise, your interest in the home will form part of your estate which will be dealt with by your trustee. The home may have to be sold to go towards paying your debts.
If your husband, wife or children are living with you, it may be possible for the sale in the bankruptcy to be put off until after the end of the first year of your bankruptcy. This gives time for other housing arrangements to be made. Your husband, wife, partner, a relative or friend may be able to buy your interest in your home from the trustee. Such a purchase would prevent a sale of the property by the trustee at a future date. Your spouse or any other interested party should be encouraged to take legal advice about the home as soon as possible.
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