What is a Trustee in Bankruptcy?
A bankruptcy trustee is a licensed practitioner who is permitted to control the administration of bankruptcies or personal insolvency agreements. Only licensed professionals can render such services.
A registered trustee doesn’t just manage paperwork, they act as the link between the debtor, creditors, and the courts. Trustees assess a person’s financial situation, take possession of divisible assets, and ensure that all actions taken comply with the Bankruptcy Act 1966 and relevant regulations. They also have a responsibility to keep creditors informed, investigate financial conduct where necessary, and ensure fair and transparent communication throughout the process. Importantly, trustees must remain independent and avoid conflicts of interest at all times. This independence is one of the key safeguards built into Australia’s insolvency system and is why the role can only be carried out by highly qualified professionals who meet strict AFSA licensing requirements and ongoing education standards. In short, registered trustees uphold the integrity of Australia’s bankruptcy framework and provide confidence to both creditors and debtors throughout the entire insolvency process.
According to Inspector General Practice Statement 13; Registered trustees are required to maintain the utmost professionalism, independence, impartiality, honesty and ethics in their dealings. They’re essentially officers of the court and, in exercising powers and discretions and making decisions, the same standards expected from a court or judge apply. They play a central role in the administration of estates and are under a general duty to exercise the powers in such a fashion that the objects of the Act, including those of equality between creditors and fairness to bankrupt people and debtors are served.
A Registered Trustee firm vs. a so-called “expert in bankruptcy”
There’s a HUGE difference between a business that charges to help you go bankrupt and a legitimately registered trustee firm.
The guys offering the paid “bankruptcy services” are usually NOT registered trustees. In some cases, they’re not a registered practitioner of any kind. Instead, these largely unregulated organisations typically complete and submit your bankruptcy paperwork, for a steep fee.
Only a registered bankruptcy trustee and the Official Trustee can administer bankrupt estates. In other words; they’re the real deal.
How to tell if you’re dealing with a real registered trustee and not an impostor?
Here’s a list of do’s and don’ts to help you know exactly who you’re dealing with:
- DO check if the company you’re dealing with is a registered trustee firm. You can do this on the AFSA website. If you’re dealing with a legit trustee – you’ll find the business name and trustee’s name(s) listed. If they’re not listed, they’re not the real McCoy.
- DON’T pay thousands of dollars upfront for help completing bankruptcy paperwork. A lot of the businesses offering this service aren’t regulated so you’re potentially at risk of receiving dodgy bankruptcy advice! If what they’re saying doesn’t sound right to you, go with your gut – your intuition is probably spot-on.
- DO find out who you’re dealing with and whether they’re qualified. Many organisations that claim to be bankruptcy experts don’t have a registered trustee or a suitably qualified solicitor on staff.
- DON’T be scared to ask if the organisation has a registered bankruptcy trustee on staff. They may not be able to answer the question, or they may tell you they refer matters to an external trustee. If that’s the case, consider walking away and finding a qualified practitioner (like us) or AFSA instead.
The pitfalls of not speaking with a qualified source like a registered trustee
We’ve heard many horror stories about advice received from some so-called “bankruptcy experts”. After paying thousands in fees for paperwork, the advice rendered to some of the victims we’ve spoken with was woefully inaccurate.
While bankruptcy isn’t the end of the world, it is serious business. Exorbitant fees and amateur advice could leave you high and dry, not only in the short term but in the long run too.
Let’s be real, learning about bankruptcy can be pretty confusing at first. You definitely don’t need the added stress of figuring out whether the information you’re getting is even right.
If you’re considering bankruptcy and own property, other unprotected assets or might need to pay contributions from your income, your best bet is to make sure the advice you get is accurate, qualified and regulated.
Here at Aravanis, we have three registered trustees. You’ll find Andrew Aravanis, Ronil Roy and Alexander Clark listed on AFSA’s bankruptcy trustee registry.
Will a bankruptcy trustee charge fees?
Trustees do have fees, but you won’t pay them directly unless you’re seeking an annulment (cancellation) of your bankruptcy or you’ve otherwise agreed to pay your trustee a fee upfront.
Instead, some of the available funds in your bankrupt estate will ordinarily cover your trustee’s costs. If you don’t earn enough to pay income contributions or the only assets you own are protected in bankruptcy, your estate won’t contain any money. This means your trustee won’t recover any of their costs. In other words; your trustee won’t be paid.
It’s important to understand that your earnings and assets will likely determine whether your bankruptcy is handled by a registered bankruptcy trustee (like us) or by the Official Trustee (AFSA).
Talk to a registered bankruptcy trustee firm now!
If you need some advice or even want to get the ball rolling, get in touch now. You can start a chat, call us on 1300 369 168 or make an online enquiry.