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Creditor's petition in bankruptcy preparation

A creditor's petition must follow the bankruptcy notice and act of bankruptcy closely. This checklist walks through the steps.

In short

This is a 12-step checklist for preparing a creditor's petition in bankruptcy. It covers the bankruptcy notice, act of bankruptcy, petition and hearing.

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12-step checklist

The checklist

1

Confirm the judgment debt

You need a final judgment of at least the statutory minimum. Check the amount against the current threshold.

Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 41
2

Issue a bankruptcy notice

Prepare and issue a bankruptcy notice through AFSA against the judgment debt.

Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 41
3

Serve the bankruptcy notice

Serve personally or by alternative means with leave of the court.

Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 41; Bankruptcy Regulations 2021
4

Diary the 21-day period

The debtor has 21 days to comply, apply to set aside, or commit an act of bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 40(1)(g)
5

Confirm act of bankruptcy

Failure to comply with a bankruptcy notice is an act of bankruptcy. Identify the exact date.

Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 40
6

Prepare the creditor's petition

Prepare the petition and supporting affidavit of debt in the approved form.

Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 43; FCR Pt 34
7

Prepare the affidavit of search

Affidavit verifying the National Personal Insolvency Index search.

8

File the petition

File the petition with the Federal Court or Federal Circuit and Family Court.

9

Serve the petition

Serve personally on the debtor in time for the hearing.

10

Prepare affidavit of service

File an affidavit of service before the hearing.

11

Prepare affidavit of continuing debt

At the hearing, an affidavit of debt and continuing debt is required.

12

Attend the hearing and seek a sequestration order

Attend and seek a sequestration order. If granted, AFSA administers the estate.

Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 52
When to use

When this checklist applies

Use this checklist when a personal debtor has failed to satisfy a judgment debt and bankruptcy is the appropriate next step.

Common pitfalls

  • Debt below the statutory minimum
  • Defective bankruptcy notice
  • Act of bankruptcy misidentified
  • Affidavit of continuing debt missing at hearing
  • Petition not served personally
Use with Quillio

Run this checklist on a real matter

Quillio drafts bankruptcy notices, petitions and supporting affidavits in current Commonwealth format. See /practice-areas/commercial-lawyers.

This checklist is a general guide. Adapt for debtor's petitions and personal insolvency agreements.

Use this checklist on your matter.

Quillio can run this checklist on a specific NSW conveyancing matter — confirm each item, calculate adjustments, and generate the supporting documents. The free trial requires no credit card.

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