Outlined below are some of the benefits and drawbacks of bankruptcy. It should be noted that bankruptcy is not to be entered into without first having sought professional advice.

There is more to bankruptcy than as a way of finally putting an end to harassing debt collectors and creditors. One big side effect of bankruptcy being that your life is likely to be subjected to intense scrutiny.

These are some of the benefits of bankruptcy:

Relieves the stress caused by dealing with numerous creditors.

Once a bankruptcy order is made, a third party takes over the administration, decision making and payment process of the debts.

Creditors forced to recognise that they must accept less money than is owed.

Debtors typically pay less with a bankruptcy order than with an Individual Voluntary Arrangement.

Once discharged, most debts are written off and creditors cannot pursue them.

Here are some of the drawbacks associated with bankruptcy:

The debtor will lose any realisable assets of value.

If the debtor owns equity in a home, this will almost certainly be sold.

If a business is owned, this could be sold and any employees dismissed.

Bank current accounts can be difficult to obtain.

It is a costly process. All fees for the insolvency service, courts and any trustee are taken out of the debtor's assets.

If trying to obtain credit of more than