Consumer Bankruptcy in Canada - Consequences of Bankruptcy

Consequences of Bankruptcy

Positive consequences Negative consequences
  • Bankrupt is discharged from all or a significant part of the existing debts and is able to make a "fresh start"
  • Creditors are not allowed to start new legal actions or to continue existing ones against the debtor or the third parties in possession of bankrupt’s property
  • Collection agencies are not allowed to enforce the debts, meaning the collection calls will stop
  • Bankrupt is entitled to keep certain property exempted from distribution among the creditors
  • Although the bankrupt gives up a part of his surplus income during the bankruptcy period, it is significantly less than the total payments required to his/her creditors prior to the bankruptcy
  • Bankrupt gives up the legal title and control of non-exempt property
  • Bankruptcy will be shown on bankrupt’s credit rating for as long as seven years after discharge for a first bankruptcy and up to fourteen years on the second bankruptcy
  • Bankrupt loses some professional and civil privileges, i.e. capacity to hold money in trust, capacity to be elected to certain civil positions
  • Bankruptcy still carries negative stigma, i.e. negatively influence bankrupt’s credibility in the credit granting community
  • Bankrupt loses part of any surplus income and all property received before his discharge, and is transferred to trustee for distribution among creditors
  • Debtor is deprived of a part of the income and the property and as a consequence may have to lower his and his family standards of living
  • Debtor’s contractors may suspend and cancel the services where there is a contractual ipso facto clause allowing contractors to cancel the contract on bankruptcy
  • Bankrupt has limited contractual capacity, debtor’s contracts are subject to a review by a trustee in bankruptcy
  • Debts that are not dischargeable debts still have to be repaid even after a discharge order is made (i.e. fraud, child support)
  • Bankrupt has duties to perform before the discharge, and, if the discharge is conditional, some duties to perform afterwards depending on the findings of the Court

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