Monday, March 21, 2016

Bankruptcy in Toowoomba - Are you going to get bitten?



When people in Toowoomba ask me about Bankruptcy, I let them know the timeless Native American Fable of the little boy and the Rattlesnake. An old rattlesnake asks a passing young boy to carry him to the mountain top to see one last sunset before he dies. The boy was hesitant, but the rattlesnake promised not to bite him in exchange for the ride. They went together only for the snake to ultimately bite the boy despite his assurance not to do so. The snake's answer was 'You knew what I was when you picked me up.

Asking for the right financial advice in Toowoomba when it relates to Bankruptcy is a whole lot like that little boy's encounter, laden with risk and danger, and usually skewed for the benefit of the person supplying the advice. In many cases you'll get bitten unless you know what you've picked up before you move forward (avoid the rattlesnakes). I learned the problem with obtaining financial advice as a teenager, and it has been key to Bankruptcy. I'd been working hard for a few years, and saved up a small amount of money I wanted to invest. It was the early 1980s so interest rates were very high and investing your money was quite profitable. I spent some time researching a variety of investment options, and I went to visit a few financial advisors. It was crystal clear that they had more money than I did: they had good suits and plush offices; they all appeared to exude confidence and have all the answers. What hit me was that they all had a truly different idea of what I should do. This puzzled me so much that it put me off the entire idea of selecting any of them.

I'm sure currently you have read more than enough on the internet to be totally lost about Bankruptcy and exactly what to do. It would probably be easier for me to help you understand the nature of the financial snakes you could be picking up while you are trying to get to the bottom of your financial problems in Toowoomba. Essentially, you need to try and comprehend what your overarching alternatives are, do your very own research into where to proceed with your plan for Bankruptcy, and after that approach what you feel is best in Toowoomba for your needs. Essentially, you have 3 options for whom to turn to.

The first option is a Solicitor - This may feel like the go-to approach when you appear to be in trouble. But there is only just so much aid they can give on this matter. There are definitely specialist legal advisors in bankruptcy, but their experience features a hefty price.

Another choice you may consider is your accountant - they are incredibly useful and vital to the task of managing your business, but for the most part, when you are thinking of Bankruptcy, your accountant won't be much help to you anymore.

Your best choice? A Financial Counsellor that can talk about debt consolidation, personal insolvency agreements, and pretty much all you need to understand when it comes to Bankruptcy.


If you would like to find out more about what to do, where to turn and what questions to ask about Bankruptcy, then feel free to consult with Bankruptcy Experts Toowoomba on 1300 795 575, or visit our website:bankruptcyexpertsToowoomba.com.au.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Bankruptcy in Toowoomba - Changes to aid Small Business and Entrepreneurs

5th February 2016 - By Charles Bosse

Do you have knowledge of how much Bankruptcy in Toowoomba is changing? The Australian Government in late 2015 came up with some radical 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. Now, there is a minimum amount of time that you must continue to be bankrupt, however, this 3 year period may in fact be reduced to just 12 months. So if you are asking about Bankruptcy, this news may be pretty important to you.



Mark Carnegie in the Financial Review on the 7th December 2015 recommended 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 changes 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 put off 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 controversy surrounding this Bankruptcy issue in Toowoomba that some make is that this modification will only motivate fraudulent behavior opening pandora's box so to speak for the unscrupulous to abuse of the bankruptcy system. We have taken a look at the minimum, but on the other side of the issue, The government is not suggesting 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 consequences of misrepresenting yourself or financial position when filing for bankruptcy in Australia.

As an insolvency professional in Toowoomba, I have a decent share of experience when it concerns Bankruptcy. And having dealt with countless bankruptcy cases in Toowoomba I have never struck someone abusing the system or acting in an unaccountable way as to exploit the insolvency laws in Australia. When it comes to Bankruptcy, each week I help a small business owner or entrepreneur look at the very formidable task of bankruptcy, not once have I really felt they are happy about it. The standard small business owner or entrepreneur in Toowoomba does not start out taking enormous financial risks with the intention to fail. The media prefers citing the apparent wrongdoing 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 most effective and brightest in Toowoomba not get tossed 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.

Now there is a fine line with just what the government is trying to do here, because they are attempting to balance helping individuals 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 wipe out the experience and knowledge that business owners have. You absolutely don't want to smash people simply because they have had an honest failure in a large or small start-up venture that has not succeeded.

At the big end of town large developed 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 scaled down because directors are concerned they'll be personally liable in an insolvency arrangement if the new venture doesn't work out.

The government's proposed 'safe haven' changes 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 alterations will be harmful to Australia's economy, indeed 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 substantial. When it comes to Bankruptcy in Toowoomba not a day passes 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 want some assistance with your debts in Toowoomba or are just considering Bankruptcy, don't hesitate to give us a call here at Bankruptcy Experts Toowoomba on 1300 795 575, or visit our website: www.bankruptcyexpertstoowoomba.com.au