What is the Bankruptcy Cost in Canada?

BankruptcyCanada.com

Table of Contents

• Page 3: Bankruptcy Cost in Canada

• Page 4: Types of Bankruptcy Costs in Canada

• Page 7: How Your Circumstances Impact the Bankruptcy Cost

• Page 8: How Can I File Bankruptcy if I Can't Afford the Fees?

BankruptcyCanada.com

Bankruptcy Cost in Canada

• In the vast majority of cases the bankruptcy cost is $1,800.00, which can be paid over 9 months at rate of $200.00 a month.

• The cost of bankruptcy will depend on several factors such as how much you earn and the size of your family.

• Our bankruptcy calculator will give you the exact cost and the length of time you will be in bankruptcy.

• The minimum cost of a bankruptcy $1,800, which can be paid at the rate of $200 a month for 9 months.

• The fees a Trustee charges are set by the government so the cost will be the same regardless of the trustee you use.

BankruptcyCanada.com

Types of Bankruptcy Costs in Canada

• In Canada there are three main aspects of the cost of filing bankruptcy, depending on the type of bankruptcy you file.• The base cost of filing bankruptcy: When you go

bankrupt in Canada you will be required by your bankruptcy trustee to make a base contribution to your bankruptcy estate every month, which is generally $200 a month for 9 months (for a total of $1,800, which is the minimum cost of bankruptcy in Canada).

BankruptcyCanada.com

Types of Bankruptcy Costs in Canada

• Surplus Income Costs: In some bankruptcies you will have income over a threshold set by the government and in this case the cost of your bankruptcy will increase because you will be required to pay a portion of your excess income to your trustee for distribution to your creditors through your bankruptcy estate.

• These payments are known as surplus income payments. If you are required to make surplus income payment your bankruptcy will cost more and you will be bankrupt for longer.

• You will be required to make surplus income payments if your average income during the first 7 months you are bankrupt is $200 or more over the limit set by the government based on your family size.

• Debtors who will have significant surplus income payments might want to consider a consumer proposal as a bankruptcy alternative.

BankruptcyCanada.com

Types of Bankruptcy Costs in Canada

• Assets You Must Surrender to Your Trustee: While not an actual cost you must pay, the cost of your bankruptcy could rise significantly if you have lots of assets that you must surrender to your trustee because they are not protected by the bankruptcy exemptions in the province in which you live or you cannot afford to “buyback” the equity in the assets.

• Assets that you lose in a bankruptcy include your tax refunds for the year you filed bankruptcy and any tax refunds you are owed that you haven’t yet received. You could also lose your home, car, investments and contributions you made to your RRSP in the 12 months prior to filing bankruptcy, depending on your province of residence. Please refer to your province or territory’s bankruptcy exemptions.

BankruptcyCanada.com

How Your Circumstances Impact the Bankruptcy Cost

• If you have income that is over the limit set by legislature you will be required to pay surplus income payments which is impacted by your family size and your income.

• Other Bankruptcy Costs• If you receive a “windfall” during your bankruptcy you will be required

to turn over these monies to your trustee as well. “Windfalls” are money or assets you receive through luck such as lottery winnings or money you inherit.

• With all of the different ways your circumstances impact the bankruptcy cost in Canada you need to see a professional bankruptcy trustee to determine the exact costs of bankruptcy in your case.

BankruptcyCanada.com

How Can I File Bankruptcy if I Can’t Afford the Fees?

• If you cannot afford the bankruptcy cost you might be what is known as “judgement proof”. Judgement proof refers to the fact that if you are sued you have no assets that the creditor can seize.

• Please refer to your province or territory’s bankruptcy exemptions which also apply to non-bankrupts.

BankruptcyCanada.com