Debts

Contributed by Ian Macdonald and Andrea Highman and current to 1 September 2005

This chapter explains some of the laws and processes of debt recovery. It tells you what to do if you are being pursued for a debt, how to deal with creditors and debt collectors and how to access your credit file. Significant recent changes to the structure of the lower court system in WA, where most debts will be recovered and enforced, have been incorporated into the latter part of this chapter. If you have any concerns about a demand for payment, consider seeking advice from a financial counsellor or lawyer.

• Introduction
• Demand for payment
• Credit reporting agencies
• Debt collectors
• Going to court
• Enforcement of civil judgments in WA
• Recovery of judgment debt outside court procedures
• Debt and financial counselling
• Contact points and other useful resources