Overseas creditors pursuing colourful businessman Geoffrey Edelsten over his United States bankruptcy want access to his Australian assets.

Lawyers representing Mr Edelsten’s creditors in the US have argued the bankruptcy case should be heard as a foreign proceeding, giving his overseas creditors the ability to pursue him in Australia.

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His estranged wife Brynne Gordon was in the Federal Court in Melbourne, while lawyers for the Australian Taxation Office, the National Australia Bank and the body corporate of Mr Edelsten’s building also appeared in court on Friday.

Oren Bigos, appearing for the United States Trustee, said Mr Edelsten had 38 unsecured creditors across the US, Australia and Singapore.

He said there was some debate over where Mr Edelsten claimed to be living for the purpose of the bankruptcy.

Justice Jonathan Beach asked Mr Edelsten’s lawyer Georgia Berlic if she could say where her client claimed to be his place of “habitual residence”.

“I have very limited instructions and I’m not able to answer those questions,” Ms Berlic told the court on Friday.

Mr Edelsten declared bankruptcy in the United States after various deals with business partner Rafael Mawardi were unsuccessful.

Justice Beach reserved his decision until 3pm on Friday.