Difference between revisions of "Dealing with Debt (10:V)"

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The full list of exceptions may be found in section 178(1) of the BIA.  Questions about bankruptcy, including specific questions regarding Canada Student Loans, may be directed to a licensed trustee or the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, Vancouver, B.C. at 1-877-376-9902.
The full list of exceptions may be found in section 178(1) of the BIA.  Questions about bankruptcy, including specific questions regarding Canada Student Loans, may be directed to a licensed trustee or the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, Vancouver, B.C. at 1-877-376-9902.
==== b) Assets That May be Retained by the Bankrupt in B.C. ====
The bankrupt may retain household furnishings and appliances valued at up to $4,000 and any other goods or property exempt from execution under provincial and federal statutes  (COEA, s  71(1);  Court  Order  Enforcement  Exemption  Regulation,  B.C. Reg. 28/98, BIA, s 67(1) and relevant amendments). See Section II.B.2: Exemptions from Seizurefor a list of what the COEA allows a debtor to retain. All  RRSPs  and  RRIFs  are  exempt  from  seizure  in  a  bankruptcy  (except  for contributions made in the year preceding bankruptcy).Any material transaction made within the past 5 years is reviewable. If a preference was  given  to  a  creditor,  the  trustee  may  act  on  the  transaction.  Lastly,  any  tax refund  for  the  year  of  bankruptcy  or  any  prior  year  becomes  part  of  the bankruptcy,  and  will  go  to  a  trustee for  the  benefit  of the  creditors.,  or  it  may  be seized by the government to fulfil a government debt.  NOTE:                If the debtor (except anyone in commercial activities (self-employed or business) or in  jail)  chooses  a  trustee  and  is  rejected  (due  to  a  fee  charge)  because  they  are  unable to pay, they should contact the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (“OSB”), and ask to participate in the Bankruptcy Assistance Program. The debtor must  obtain  a  written  refusal  from 2  trustees  and, if  they qualify  for  the  program, will  then  be  assigned  a  trustee  in  the  referral  program for  a  reduced  fee  (not  for free). This program is not available to everyone that cannot afford to pay. Further, it  does  not exclude  non-exempt  assets  such as  GST  and  income  tax  refunds from seizure.  Information  can  be  found  at  the  Bankruptcy  Assistance  Program  website (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/bankruptcy_assistance.shtml)    or    by calling the OSB’ s national number at 1-877-376-9902. NOTE:              A debtor who is on a low end fixed income, such as a fixed income pension, with              circumstances unlikely  to change  may  have  no  need  to  declare  bankruptcy  as  they              would be, in essence, judgment-proof. Refer to section C above, Communicating with              Creditors when Unable to Make Contractual Payments.I.Student Loan DebtThe  law  surrounding  student  loans  and  grants  is  constantly  changing,  and  varies  greatly  between  provincial jurisdictions. Clients should visit the federal and provincial student loan websites to get up to date informationabout repayment assistance. The information found below is up to date as of July of 2014.  1.Federal Student Loan Debt The  National  Student  Loan  Service  Centre  (NSLSC)  is  responsible  for  consolidating  all  federal student  debt  in  Canada.  In  certain  circumstances,  students  can  apply  for  the  Repayment  Assistance Plan  (RAP)  and  receive  payment  relief.  Successful  applicants  may  receive  temporary  interest  relief, permanent  interest  relief,  and  in  the  case  of  a  student  with  a  disability  a  portion  of  the  principal amount of their loan may be forgiven. The level of assistance a student will receive is dependent on their income level, the size of their family, and whether they have a disability. For  further  information  on  getting  repayment  assistance  for  Federal  student  loans,  see http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/loans_grants/repayment/help/index.shtml.

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