Who Will Know About My Personal Bankruptcy: Is Bankruptcy Public Records?
People often have concerns about the publicity of personal bankruptcy. While it’s natural to worry, the reality is that most personal bankruptcies are only known to the involved creditors. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of how public personal bankruptcy can be.
Introduction
Personal bankruptcy is a legal proceeding that allows individuals struggling with debt to get a fresh start. However, many people worry about the public nature of such a process. They fear embarrassment if their financial difficulties become public knowledge. Let’s explore the question: How public is personal bankruptcy?
Publication
Contrary to popular belief, personal bankruptcies are not typically published in newspapers. They are only noted in the legal section of local papers when the bankruptcy is complicated or involves a substantial amount of assets.
Employer Notification
Many individuals are concerned about their employer finding out about their bankruptcy. However, employers are only informed if necessary. For instance, if a debtor’s salary is being garnished by a creditor, the Trustee would direct the employer to stop the garnishment upon the filing of bankruptcy.
Public Record
While the details of a personal bankruptcy may not be splashed across the front page of a newspaper, they do become part of the public record. The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy maintains a database of all bankruptcies, which can be accessed for a fee.
Credit Report
One place where bankruptcy is very public is on an individual’s credit report. A first-time bankruptcy will stay on the debtor’s credit report for six years following their discharge from bankruptcy.
Complex Bankruptcies
Complex bankruptcies are those involving large amounts of debt or numerous creditors. These cases may require more public disclosure, including publication in newspapers and notification of employers.
Trustee’s Role
The Trustee has a duty to advise the individual if a newspaper advertisement is necessary. They may also need to contact the debtor’s employer in some cases, for example, if a bankrupt has failed to produce necessary proof of income or tax information.
Bankruptcy Court Files
If a court file is opened for a bankruptcy estate, the court file becomes a public record. However, most bankruptcies nowadays do not have court files.
Consequences of Bankruptcy
While bankruptcy can provide relief from crippling debt, it does have consequences. These may include difficulty getting credit, higher interest rates, and potential issues with future employment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while personal bankruptcy is technically public, it’s not as public as many people fear. Most people would not know about someone’s bankruptcy unless they went looking for the information. It’s important to weigh the potential benefits of debt relief against the implications of having bankruptcy on your public record.
If you’re considering bankruptcy and are worried about its public nature or have any other questions, please contact a professional for advice.
