Bankruptcy Alberta

Bankruptcy Alberta

BankruptcyCanada.com

Table of Contents

• Page 3: Bankruptcy Alberta• Page 6: Personal Bankruptcy in Alberta• Page 10: Alberta Bankruptcy Overview• Page 11: What Does Alberta Bankruptcy Involve?• Page 12: Filing Bankruptcy in Alberta - FAQs


Bankruptcy Alberta

• Under Bankruptcy Alberta Laws a person who is burdened with debts they cannot repay is given a chance to have their debts eliminated so they can begin a new financial life.

• Learn about Alberta bankruptcy by reviewing our website, and when you are ready you can schedule a free, no obligation consultation meeting with one of our trustees.

• If you are under the misconception that in bankruptcy you will lose all of your assets, but this is not true. In many cases, people keep everything when they file bankruptcy, because you are allowed to keep most property under the AB exemptions.


Bankruptcy Alberta

• Bankruptcy can be over in as little as 9 months, however if you have excess income of $100 or more a more, the bankruptcy court will rule the bankruptcy will last 21 months – or longer at the courts’ discretion.• Because you can keep all of your assets, and receive a

discharge of your debts in as little as 9 months, bankruptcy can provide you a relatively quick, fresh start.• An Alberta bankruptcy trustee can also help you make a

consumer proposal to your creditors.


Bankruptcy Alberta

• Under the Alberta Bankruptcy Laws a person who is burdened with debts they cannot repay is given a chance to have their debts eliminated so they can begin a new financial life.• Learn about Bankruptcy Alberta by reviewing our

website, and when you are ready you can schedule a free, no obligation consultation meeting with one of our trustees.


Personal Bankruptcy in Alberta

• If you are having trouble staying on track financially and are facing serious money problems, you might need to consider filing personal bankruptcy in Alberta. Although there are many bankruptcy alternatives available to Alberta debtors, you might find that an Alberta bankruptcy filing is the quickest, cheapest, and easiest way to get a fresh financial start.

• Filing bankruptcy in Alberta is a legal process that involves surrendering your non-exempt assets in exchange for the elimination of your unsecured debts. The bankruptcy law in Alberta is a federal law (the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act) although Alberta bankruptcy law is slightly different than other provinces. For example, the assets an individual can keep in personal bankruptcy is set by the province.


Personal Bankruptcy in Alberta• In Alberta a debtor going bankruptcy has the follow property exempt from seizure

under the Alberta Bankruptcy Exemptions determined by the Civil Enforcement Act. That means these are the assets you can keep when filing Alberta bankruptcy:

• Equity in your principal residence to a total value of $40,000. If you co-own a residence then the exemption amount is adjusted proportionate to your ownership interest;

• Personal assets such as tools, books and other equipment that is necessary to earn an income up to a value of $10,000;

• One motorvehicle to $5,000 value (the value is in your equity, not the value of the asset);

• Household furnishings / appliances of $4,000 value;• Clothing up to a value of $4,000;


Personal Bankruptcy in Alberta• Food Required for you and your dependents for the next 12 months;• Medical and dental aids necessary for you and your dependents;• RRSPs, RRIFs, and RESPs;• Pension plans;• Life insurance policies if the beneficiary is a spouse, child, grandchild or parent of

the policy holder.• The exemptions if you are a bona fide farmer (primary source of income is

farming operations) include:• 160 acres of land if your principal residence is located on that land and is part of

your farming operations;• Personal property for the proper and efficient conduct of your farm for 12

months.


Personal Bankruptcy in Alberta

• You can meet with a government licensed insolvency trustee in Alberta to discuss your options, learn about the Alberta bankruptcy process, and have all of your questions and concerns answered.

• Filing bankruptcy in Alberta is a hard decision but the Trustee will provide you a free consultation. The Trustee has a professional ethical requirement to point out how you can avoid bankruptcy if at all possible. You have nothing to lose and there is no risk to speak with an Alberta bankruptcy expert.

• Please contact our Alberta licensed trustee to arrange a personal consultation. The trustee will help you examine your personal situation, what you will lose if you file bankruptcy, explain the cost of filing bankruptcy, and help you explore any possible bankruptcy alternatives.


Alberta Bankruptcy Overview• What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (Trustee in Bankruptcy)?• In order to file bankruptcy in Alberta you need to work with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee,

as only a LIT can file bankruptcy with the OSB (Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy). A Licensed Insolvency Trustee – previously known as a Bankruptcy Trustee or Trustee in Bankruptcy – is a licensed insolvency and debt restructuring specialist who is federally licensed by the Government of Canada to file bankruptcy and insolvency estates.

• Unlike other self proclaimed debt relief “experts,” a Licensed Insolvency Trustee is an Officer of the Court. This means that only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) can provide a full range of debt relief services, such as filing Alberta bankruptcy or making a consumer proposal.

• A LIT can provide you with immediate legal protection from your creditors and relief from your debts.

• Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can negotiate a debt relief settlement known as a Consumer Proposal with your creditors.


What Does Alberta Bankruptcy Involve?

• As a federally regulated legal process, bankruptcy in Alberta involves surrendering your assets that are not protected by the bankruptcy exemptions in exchange for forgiveness of your unsecured debts. Most bankrupts that file bankruptcy in Alberta are able to keep all of their assets. • If you have a high income that is over a threshold set by

the government, you must pay a portion of this surplus income to your Trustee, who in turn will distribute this equally and fairly among your creditors.


Filing Bankruptcy in Alberta – FAQs

• Will I Lose All of My Assets When Going Bankrupt?• How Much Does Filing Bankruptcy in Alberta Cost?• How Long Will I be in Bankruptcy?• Does My Income Affect the Length of a Bankruptcy Filing?• What Happens to My Debts if I File For Bankruptcy?


Will I Lose All of My Assets When Going Bankrupt?

• Alberta bankruptcy law provides a list of certain assets that a bankrupt may keep when they go bankrupt. The Alberta bankruptcy exemptions allows you to keep, amongst other assets, $5,000 of equity in your car, $40,000 of equity in your principal residence, $10,000 of equity in your tools of the trade, and your RRSPs.

• You can keep other assets as well, which your Trustee will discuss with you when schedule a confidential evaluation to meet with a bankruptcy expert to discuss your financial situation.

• The Alberta bankruptcy exemptions are meant to give a person filing bankruptcy a fresh financial start, while allowing the person to retain some dignity.

• Just as there are exemptions to debt that can be discharged in bankruptcy, there are exemptions to the assets you must surrender to your trustee.


How Much Does Filing Bankruptcy in Alberta Cost?

• The cost of filing bankruptcy in Alberta will vary depending on your income, your assets, and the size of your family unit. The basic cost of filing bankruptcy for a debtor that has no surplus income and no prior bankruptcy filings is $1,800.

• This can be paid at $200 a month for 9 months, which is the minimum length of a personal bankruptcy filing in Alberta (and the rest of Canada.)

• If you are required to pay surplus income to your bankruptcy estate, your bankruptcy will last longer and your bankruptcy will be more expensive. When you have surplus income (a high income that is over a government set income threshold based on your family size) you will have to pay 50% of this surplus income to your Trustee for a period of 21 months (for a first time bankrupt) or 36 months (for a second time bankrupt).


How Long Will I be in Bankruptcy?• How long you will be in bankruptcy will depend on two factors – whether you have

surplus income or not, and whether you have filed bankruptcy before. A first time bankrupt with no surplus income will receive their bankruptcy discharge automatically after 9 months, while a first time bankrupt with surplus income will have their bankruptcy extended 12 months to 21 months, after which they will still receive their automatic bankruptcy discharge.

• A debtor filing for bankruptcy a second time bankruptcy will receive their automatic bankruptcy discharge after 24 months if they have no surplus income, or 36 months if they do have surplus income payments to make to their bankruptcy estate.

• A person can file bankruptcy a third time, although they will be required to go to court to determine the length of their bankruptcy, and in order to get their bankruptcy discharge; a third time bankrupt is not eligible for an automatic discharge from bankruptcy.


Does My Income Affect the Length of a Bankruptcy Alberta Filing?

• Yes, your income will impact the length of your bankruptcy, as if you have surplus income your bankruptcy will be extended by 12 months.• If you do not have surplus income you can be out of

bankruptcy in as little as 9 months, while if you have surplus income the shortest time you can be out of bankruptcy is in 21 months.


What Happens to My Debts if I File For Bankruptcy?

• Alberta bankruptcy only deals with unsecured debts; you cannot discharge secured debt filing bankruptcy in Alberta. Once you have received your Alberta bankruptcy discharge, then your unsecured debts, that were included in your bankruptcy, will be legally eliminated. You will be given a Certificate of Discharge, which proves that your debt was legally discharged.

• Your bankruptcy discharge will not release you from the legal responsibility of paying your secured debts, debt that you incurred during bankruptcy, or certain unsecured debts such as child support or court ordered fines. Each debtor’s situation is unique.

• We can schedule a free, no obligation, confidential evaluation meeting with a local Alberta bankruptcy expert. We encourage you to contact us for more information. We have helped thousands of Albertans get a fresh start and we can help you too. Bankruptcy is not your only option. There are many bankruptcy alternatives available, such as a consumer proposal.


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Bankruptcy Alberta