DEBT AGREEMENTS

A Debt Agreement with your creditors freezes all legal action and also freezes interest. After working with your Financial Crisis Recovery Consultant to determine how much you can afford every month, a proposal is put before your creditors via correspondence, to accept this amount.

All creditors vote to support or reject the proposal. A majority in number is required and 75% of the dollar value of the total debt and the result is binding on all creditors.

Throughout the four week voting period, Financial Crisis Recovery negotiates with your creditors on your behalf to gain support for the proposal and closely monitors the votes to ensure each is recieved by the voting deadline.

A Debt Agreement is a facility to allow you to pay your debts when your life circumstances change your income level.

It comes under the Part IX Amendment to the Bankruptcy Act 1966.

FINANCIAL CRISIS RECOVERY provides a service that will guide you through the process, and acts as Administrator once the agreement is in place.

We are able to give you a representation to creditors, meaning an end to those demanding letter and phone calls - We follow up with creditors to negotiate a positive vote.

A simple solution to a complex situation really does exist.

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Q. What is Debt Agreement?
A, A debt agreement is a simple method for debtors to negotiate a binding compromise with their creditors.
Q. Who is eligible?

A. A debt agreement can be proposed by a debtor who:

  • Has not been bankrupt, entered a debt agreement, or been given authority under Part X of the Bankruptcy Act in the last 10 years
  • Has an annual net income  less than $50,164 
  • Has unsecured debts less than $68,796
  • Has property not exempt under the Bankruptcy Act valued at less than $ 68,796
Q. What can be provided for in a debt agreement?

A.

  • Periodic payment of amounts from thedebtor's income to creditors
  • A moratorium on payment of debts
  • Payment of less than 100 cents in the dollar on all or any of the debtors debts
  • Amounts payable to creditors other than on a pro-rata basis
  • A transfer of property from the debtor to one or more creditors in full or part payment

 

The Procedure:

Stage One - Debtor must lodge with Insolvency Trustee Service of Australia the following:

  • A written Debt Agreement Proposal - offering payments over a period of time to be paid proportionately to all creditors
  • A Statement of Affairs - a 'snapshot' of your financial situation at this point in time, ie assets, liabilities, income etc

Stage Two

  • ITSA processes the proposal
  • Each creditor receives a summary of the Statement of Affairs and an explanation of the proposal
  • The proposal can be accepted or rejected at a meeting or by written response
  • If creditors wish to vote for/against the proposal, they must respond in writing before the end of the 'deadline date'
  • If accepted by a majority in number and 75% in value of those creditors who respond, legal action is suspended and interest is frozen.
  • If rejected by creditors, the proposal lapses

Effects of debt agreement . . . If accepted for processing:

  • All legal enforcement action is frozen for 25 working days
  • A sheriff must not take action to sell property during the freeze period

If accepted by creditors, they cannot:

  • Continue legal action to recover debt
  • Present or proceed with a Creditor's petition to force bankruptcy

Debtor is released from all debts, on receipt of agreed payments.

 

 

(PART IX OF THE BANKRUPTCY ACT)

NB: The rights of secured creditors are not affected by the debt agreement;

The debtor is not released from a maintenance debt.