Bankruptcy

If you have debts you are unable to pay you may need to look at bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy gives you a legal right to protection from many of your creditors. You hand over control for most of your debts and significant assets to a bankruptcy trustee.

Legal Aid WA does not give legal advice on applying to become bankrupt but can advise on debts in some cases. We may be able to refer you to another organisation that can help you. You should get legal and financial advice before applying for bankruptcy.

If your case is already in the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia, you may be able to get help from the Federal Court Self-Represented Litigants’ service. Call the Infoline to find out what help we can give for your situation. If we can’t help, we may be able to refer you to someone else who can.

 

What is bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a legal process where you are declared to be unable to pay your debts.

There are two ways of becoming bankrupt:

  • you can volunteer to become bankrupt, or
  • a person or business that you owe money can apply for you to be made bankrupt.

With bankruptcy, you give up assets and control of your finances, either by agreement or court order, in exchange for protection from legal action from a person or business you owe money to.

Not all debts are covered by bankruptcy.

Should I volunteer to become bankrupt?

If you are unable to pay your debts and cannot come to suitable repayment arrangements with a person or business you owe money to, you may volunteer to become bankrupt.

This is a complex issue and there are serious consequences to becoming bankrupt.

You should get legal and financial advice before applying for bankruptcy.

There are alternatives to bankruptcy that might be more appropriate for you, and which should be considered. Bankruptcy can have long term consequences. There are restrictions on the activities and responsibilities of a bankrupt person that you should understand if you are thinking about bankruptcy.

More information

 

Reviewed: 17 April 2024

Disclaimer

The information displayed on this page is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a legal problem, you should see a lawyer. Legal Aid Western Australia aims to provide information that is accurate, however does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information provided on this page or incorporated into it by reference.