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Category: Consumer Proposal

  • Thinking of Filing for Bankruptcy or a Consumer Proposal in Canada? You’re Not Alone

    Have you considered filing for bankruptcy or for a consumer proposal in Canada? If so, you’re far from the only one.

    Insolvency statistics show that bankruptcies and consumer proposals continue to be popular debt management options for Canadians throughout 2018.

    Here’s exactly how many Canadians are filing for bankruptcy or filing for a consumer proposal:

    2017 (Total Across Canada)

    Total: 125,807

    Bankruptcies: 60,669 (Personal Bankruptcies: 57,969, Business Bankruptcies: 2,700)

    Consumer Proposals: 65,138 (Personal Consumer Proposals: 64,229, Business Consumer Proposals: 909)

    Top Three Highest Provinces:

    Quebec – Total: 43,731, Bankruptcies: 24,210, Consumer Proposals: 19,521

    Ontario – Total: 39,045, Bankruptcies: 15,968, Consumer Proposals: 23,077

    Alberta – Total: 13,481, Bankruptcies: 5,139, Consumer Proposals: 8,342

    First Quarter of 2018: January, February, March

    Total (Canada): 31,327

    Bankruptcies: 13,863 (Personal: 13,163, Business: 700)

    Consumer Proposals: 17,464 (Personal: 17,234, Business: 230)

    Top Three Highest Provinces:

    Quebec – Total: 11,301, Bankruptcies: 5,664, Consumer Proposals: 5,637

    Ontario – Total: 9,507, Bankruptcies: 3,638, Consumer Proposals: 5,869

    Alberta – Total: 3,463, Bankruptcies: 1,227, Consumer Proposals: 2,236

    Second Quarter of 2018: April, May, June

    Total (Canada): 33,534

    Bankruptcies: 15,450 (Personal: 13,163, Business: 700)

    Proposals: 18,084 (Personal: 17,234, Business: 230)

    Top Three Highest Provinces:

    Quebec – Total: 11,109, Bankruptcies: 5,930, Consumer Proposals: 5,179

    Ontario — Total: 10,435, Bankruptcies: 4,202, Consumer Proposals: 6,233

    Alberta – Total: 3,884, Bankruptcies: 1,343, Consumer Proposals: 2,541

    Compared to the first and second quarters of 2017, the first half of 2018 is keeping pace. The total number of insolvency filings are slightly down, as are the total number of bankruptcies filed. However, the total number of consumer proposal filings are slightly up, indicating that more Canadians are choosing this option.

    If you are considering filing for a consumer proposal or for bankruptcy, it’s important to know the difference.

    Consumer proposals:

    • Are for unsecured debts less than $250,000 (not including mortgage debt).
    • Make a settlement offer to your creditors that the majority of creditors must accept.
    • Generally, leave assets intact.

    Bankruptcies:

    • Are for any amount of debt.
    • Clear most unsecured debts and potentially some secured debts, such as a mortgage or car loan, if the assets are seized.
    • Could result in losing assets, such as your home or your car.

    For more differences, see this blog: How is a Consumer Proposal Different from a Bankruptcy?

    Both consumer proposals and bankruptcies must be filed with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT, or formerly known as a Bankruptcy Trustee). However, they will take a portion of the fee that you pay. They aren’t necessarily ‘on your side’ — they are more of a facilitator for the process.

    Before you file, you need an advocate who represents you and only you. At DebtCare, we provide just that. We can represent you when filing for bankruptcy or for a consumer proposal, and we can also make sure you have eliminated all other debt consolidation strategies before filing.

    Contact us today for a free consultation. Call 1-888-890-0888.

  • How is a Consumer Proposal Different from a Bankruptcy?

    Consumer proposal vs. bankruptcy — what’s the difference?

    At first glance, they can appear similar. Both clear your debt, stop collection action, and can harm your credit. But when we get into the nitty-gritty, there are several big things that set them apart.

    1. Assets

    Bankruptcy: When you file for personal bankruptcy, your assets are on the line. There may be allowable exceptions, like a car beneath a certain value, but anything over that can be taken. Each province in Canada has specific exceptions.

    Consumer Proposal: When you file for a consumer proposalyour assets aren’t touched. Instead, an agreement is made with your creditors to pay an amount of money in lieu of the full payment, and if they accept your debt is cleared, collection action stops, and your assets cannot be seized. But you have to prove that it is more lucrative for your creditors to accept your consumer proposal than it would be for them if you declared bankruptcy.

    1. Cost and Payment Schedule

    Consumer Proposal: A consumer proposal payment schedule is designed for you. You make a proposal to your creditors, usually a percentage of your total unsecured debt, and then you create a schedule to pay back that percentage. These are usually fixed, monthly payments that are made over a term of 48 to 60 months (four to five years). You also must pay the Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) who files your consumer proposal a portion for his fee.

    Bankruptcy: Bankruptcy payments vary as they are based on your income. The more money you make, the more you’ll have to pay. A first-time bankruptcy can be completed in as little as nine months. If you have surplus income (if your household income is over the allowed amount) it may be extended up to 21 months. You are also required to pay the LIT a portion for his fee.

    1. Credit Rating Impact

    Bankruptcy: If you claim bankruptcy in Canada, you will receive an R9 credit rating. This is the worst rating you can have. It will stay on your credit report for six to seven years after you are discharged, depending on your province. If you are discharged after nine months, then the credit rating might stay on your record for seven to eight years total.

    Consumer Proposal: With a consumer proposal, you will receive an R7 credit rating. It will remain for three years after you complete your payments. So, if you complete your payments in five years, the R7 credit rating will remain for eight years total (five years, plus three years after it’s completed).

    1. Monthly Duties

    Consumer Proposal: There are no monthly requirements with a consumer proposal, besides making your payments on time. You do not need to report any changes in your income. You have to attend two credit counselling sessions.

    Bankruptcy: You are required to complete a monthly budget for income and expenses and supply copies of your pay stubs to your Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT). You also have to attend two credit counselling sessions.

    1. Tax Refund

    Bankruptcy: You will lose all tax refunds or tax credits you are owed.

    Consumer Proposal: You keep all tax refunds or credits you are owed.

    1. Eligibility

    Consumer Proposal: Your total debt cannot exceed $250,000 (excluding a mortgage) and you must be able to afford to repay a portion of your debts. You are not guaranteed to be granted a proposal just by filing one. It must be accepted by the majority of your creditors. You need to prove that they would be better off with this arrangement than if you filed for bankruptcy.

    Bankruptcy: Any Canadian resident who owes more than $1,000 in debt and is insolvent is eligible to file for personal bankruptcy.

    When you’re choosing between filing for a consumer proposal or filing for bankruptcy, there is no clear winner. They both have far reaching consequences and will take years to recover from.

    You also need to consider the bigger financial picture and all your forms of debt. Both a bankruptcy and a consumer proposal can cover unsecured credit and debt, such as credit cards, unsecured bank loans, lines of credit, payday loans, and unpaid bills.

    But they won’t deal with secured debt, like your mortgage, secured car loan, or lease. They also won’t include debts like spousal or child support, court-imposed fines, and student loans that are less than seven years old. You will still have to pay those debts.

    If you’re in a position where you’re considering filing for either one, make sure you have explored all of your other options. There could be another debt management solution that works better for you, without the same repercussions. And if you do decide to file, make sure that you seek independent representation besides your LIT.

    Remember, LITs make money off of your consumer proposal or bankruptcy. You need someone who represents you — and only you — when you’re going through the process.

    At DebtCare, we provide just that. We can represent you when filing for a consumer proposal or bankruptcy, and we can also make sure you have eliminated all other debt consolidation strategies.

    Contact us today for a free consultation. Call 1-888-890-0888.

  • Will Filing for a Consumer Proposal Ruin Your Credit?

    One of the questions we’re asked most often has to do with filing for a consumer proposal and your credit score. Many people want to know – if you file for a proposal, will your credit be ruined?

    The answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.”

    To start, we need to look at what classifies as having “good” credit. If your credit score is in a high range, but you’re considering filing for a consumer proposal, we’re going to hedge a bet and say you probably don’t have “good” credit.

    Good credit is more than just your score. If you’re loaded in debt, have maxed-out credit cards, and are only making the minimum payments each month, that’s not good credit. Not to mention, it’s unsustainable for long-term financial health.

    Your credit score is based on many factors, including the amount of new credit you take out, your payment history, and the amount of debt you carry. For example, if you have a total credit limit of $5,000 and consistently carry a high balance, your credit score will be impacted. So, if you’re in debt and struggling to make ends meet, it’s very likely your credit is already being affected.

    Not only that, but then you have to consider the consequences of what would happen if you miss a debt payment completely. Defaulting on your current debts is the quickest way to get a bad credit score. Missing even one payment can be detrimental. And if you default on multiple accounts (phone bills, utilities, etc.) you might lose track of what’s been paid and what hasn’t, meaning your score will be harmed even further.

    If you’re already struggling with debt, even if you’ve been making minimum payments, there may be a month where you can’t make that payment. Or if Canadian interest rates keep increasing, it could hike your debt up to an unmanageable level. And then your credit score will be hurt anyways.

    Worse still, if you do default on a payment, that bad credit will remain for seven years after it’s resolved. This means it will stay after it’s paid in full, settled in full, or included in a consumer proposal, credit counselling, or bankruptcy.

    Now let’s look at the other side of the coin: filing for a consumer proposal.

    A consumer proposal stays on your credit for three years after it is paid in full. Typically, many people pay off a consumer proposal in four or five years, so the consumer proposal credit score could stay on your record for seven or eight years if you follow this path. But because you make a single settlement that addresses all debt, once the creditors accept it, you don’t have to take four or five years to pay if off. If you have the funds, it can be paid in full at any time.

    Plus, if you can make more than the minimum payments, you can pay off a consumer proposal sooner and start credit repair that much quicker.

    You can also start rebuilding credit right away after filing for a consumer proposal. Getting a personal loan or a secured credit card that reports to your credit report are two great ways to do it.

    Traps you want to avoid in either case, whether you file for a consumer proposal or not, are things like payday loans or creating more unsecured debt, like adding another unsecured credit card.

    In short, if you’re considering filing for a consumer proposal because you’re at the end of your rope financially and not sure how you’ll continue to manage all of your debt, your credit is probably being harmed anyways. Filing for a consumer proposal could give you the opportunity to rebuild and start fresh.

    At DebtCare, we understand how difficult it can be when you’re considering whether to file for a consumer proposal. We can help you weigh your options, deal with your debt, and, if needed, rebuild credit.

    Call us today for a free consultation: 1 (888) 890-0888.

  • Did You Know? When Filing a Consumer Proposal Many People are Able to Keep Their Homes

    Filing for a consumer proposal is becoming a popular debt consolidation option for Canadians. In 2016, 62,506 Canadians filed for consumer proposal. More Canadians are opting for consumer proposal than bankruptcy, and the number of people who filed for a proposal is steadily increasing.

    If you’re filing for a consumer proposal, you are making an offer to your existing creditors to pay back a portion of your debt. This number is then presented to the creditors, and the majority must accept. Once accepted, the proposal is legally binding.

    The downside to a consumer proposal is that your credit will be critically affected for years afterward, making it difficult to secure any types of loans or refinance your mortgage. Plus, a consumer proposal must be filed through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT, or formerly known as a bankruptcy trustee) who will take a portion of your consumer proposal as their payment.

    One of the questions we’re always asked about filing for a consumer proposal is “Can I keep my house?”

    The short answer is likely yes, but it depends.

    Secured debts, such as mortgages, aren’t included in consumer proposals. So, when you file for a consumer proposal, it is only paying off your unsecured debts — loans without collateral — such as credit cards, student loans, and payday loans. When you’re in a consumer proposal, so long as you continue to make payments on time to your secured debts, such as your mortgage, your car payments, etc., those assets can’t be taken away.

    In many cases, filing for a consumer proposal is actually going to allow you to keep your house. If you’re struggling to keep your head above water because you’re relying on unsecured credit, a consumer proposal is going to ease that suffering. If your income is enough that you can afford to keep paying your mortgage, car payment, cost of living, and consumer proposal payments, then you will be able to keep your house. But you have to be sure to make your payments on time and not miss any.

    If, however, after filing for a consumer proposal your income is still not enough to make ends meet, it’s a different situation and it would be a good idea for you to consult a debt counsellor to either make a budget or look at other financial options. If you don’t pay your mortgage, you will lose your house.

    DebtCare Canada can help you make a budget for life after a consumer proposal or answer any questions you have about filing for a consumer proposal.

    Contact us today for a free consultation by calling 1-888-890-0888.

  • Is a Consumer Proposal the Right Answer?

    Over the last few years, as Canadian consumer debt levels have risen, many Canadians have found a consumer proposal to be a very viable option for debt relief. When debt becomes overwhelming and payments are being missed, climbing out of the hole can seem impossible. Sometimes a consumer proposal is the best way to get a handle on things and start fresh, but is it always the answer?

    With a consumer proposal, a careful review of your financial situation results in a proposed amount to be repaid to your existing creditors. This number is then presented to the creditors, and the majority must accept. Once accepted, the proposal is legally binding.

    The benefits of a consumer proposal are well known. Once a proposal is accepted by the majority of your creditors and is in place, you no longer have to pay interest, can pay the debt back over 4-5 years, and often have to pay back less than the total owed. Additionally, all debts included in the proposal are combined and so you only have to make one monthly payment. The downside is that your credit will take a hit, but if you’re considering a proposal, this may have already happened.

    As far as how much debt is enough to warrant a consumer proposal, there is no established minimum, but people don’t generally file one unless they owe $8000 or more.

    Sound too good to be true? It isn’t. Really.

    But is it the best option?

    Let’s compare it to another popular debt relief option, a second mortgage. A second mortgage using some of the equity in your home is another great way to get a handle on your debt. Although it involves interest, you can make the term shorter so that the debt is paid off sooner. A second mortgage has the same benefit as a consumer proposal in that it consolidates all your debt into one smaller monthly payment, although it doesn’t reduce the amount of your debt or eliminate the payment of interest. A second mortgage is also much better credit-wise and won’t result in the negative impacts to your credit. Of course, you need equity to go this route, but if you have it, it can be a smart option.

    When it comes to dealing with debt that has grown to an unmanageable amount, a consumer proposal may be the best option, but as you can see, it is worth discussing your financial situation with a financial consultant prior to making a decision to see if any other options are worth pursuing, such as a second mortgage.

    At DebtCare, our goal is to help you find the right debt solution to suit your circumstances, be it a consumer proposal or something else.

    Want to get started? Call us today at 1 (888) 890-0888.

     

  • The Difference Between a Wage Garnishment from the Government and a Creditor

    A wage garnishment is a very popular (or unpopular, depending on your experience) form of collection action. When money is owed to a creditor, obtaining a judgment for enforcement action and implementing a wage garnishment is a common method for retrieval of funds. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is also well known for imposing wage garnishments when money is owed. The process, however, is different for each. So, what’s the difference between a wage garnishment from the government and one from a creditor? We’ll explain.

    Firstly, what is a wage garnishment? When you owe a creditor or the CRA, but have failed to make the necessary payments, that organization has the ability to pursue a garnishment of your wages. Once this happens, your employer will receive a notice of garnishment, which lists the debt amount and the name of the creditor. Your employer is then required by law to pay a portion of your wages. The amount can differ depending on a variety of factors, as well as the organization seeking the garnishment.

    When a creditor garnishes your wages, you will have some warning. Not only will you receive a letter informing you of their intention, the creditor is also required to obtain a judgment against you in court, meaning they must sue you in an action which you can defend. If you fail to defend or don’t receive the letter and judgment is obtained, a notice is sent, as mentioned, to your employer and your employer must then submit the specified portion of your wages to pay your outstanding debt.

    The major difference when the CRA garnishes your wages is that they are not required to obtain a court order. When you owe the CRA and they choose to garnish your wages, they simply send a notice to your employer directly. You may not receive any warning, only finding out about the garnishment on payday. As with a creditor, once this garnishment notice is received by your employer, they are required by law to submit a portion of your paycheque.

    What can you do if your wages are being garnished? Wage garnishments can be devastating financially, so it is important to address the issue as soon as you are made aware of it. Once it is in place, your options are few. To have a garnishment removed you can try negotiating with your creditor to settle the debt, pay the debt in full, or file a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. These options are the same whether you are being garnished by a creditor or the CRA.

    It is a very common practice for both creditors and the CRA to garnish wages. Wage garnishments are typically very effective as they allow the creditor to intercept money before it gets to you.

    At DebtCare, we deal with wage garnishments every day.

    If you’re struggling as a result of one, get in touch with us today to discuss your options for having it removed. 1 (888) 890-0888.

     

  • Things You Need to Know About Licensed Insolvency Trustees

    Fact: Consumer proposals and bankruptcies are two legal debt settlement options available through the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Both processes can only be administered by a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT). That being said, you do not have to go directly to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee for a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. In fact, you are better served with your own representation.

    This week, our aim is to clear up some of the confusion regarding Licensed Insolvency Trustees and how they work.

    When you’re struggling financially, are finding it difficult to make your monthly payments, or have missed several payments, there are numerous options that exist to help you regain control. Two of those options are a consumer proposal and bankruptcy.

    As mentioned, both must be administered by a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. However, the problem here is that, while LITs claim neutrality – they say they represent both parties (you and the creditor) – they have an obligation to maximize the return for the creditor.

    Does this make sense? Compare it to real estate. If you were buying a new home, would you want the same real estate agent representing you and the person selling their home to you? Since that agent is paid on commission, their goal would be to get as much money from you, the buyer, as possible. How can this result in a fair settlement?

    It is much the same with a consumer proposal, as the amount a Licensed Insolvency Trustee is paid depends on the amount of the proposal agreed upon. So, in a nutshell, the higher the proposal, and thus the more you have to pay, the more the LIT earns. So, if the LIT is getting paid according to the amount of the proposal, what is there to motivate them to get as small a proposal as possible.

    If you’re financially strapped, every cent counts. If you go directly to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, you can’t be guaranteed the best deal. That can only be obtained through your own representation, someone who is hired by you to protect your money.

    Furthermore, if you go directly to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee you may only be given the option of a consumer proposal or bankruptcy, even if there are more valuable solutions out there, such as mortgage refinancing or even just a strict budgeting plan.

    At DebtCare, our goal is to get the best deal for you. We are here to protect you and only you. Want valuable advice and real protection?

    Call us today at 1 (888) 890-0888.

     

  • How Much is Enough Debt to Warrant a Consumer Proposal?

    Consumer ProposalConsumer Proposal 101 – How Much is Enough Debt to Warrant a Consumer Proposal?

    For those struggling with debt, a consumer proposal represents a very valuable debt solution. If you’ve been thinking about taking advantage of such a solution, there are a few things you may want to know, and this week our goal is to help answer those questions.

    Firstly, to file a consumer proposal in Canada, you must meet the following qualifications:

    • Be an individual (not a business)
    • Be unable to pay your debts
    • Your total debts must not exceed $250k (not including the mortgage on your principal residence)
    • Be able to show that you can pay back the proposal on a monthly basis
    • You can’t be an undischarged bankrupt or in an existing consumer proposal

    When it comes to how much debt is enough to warrant a consumer proposal, there is no established minimum, but people don’t generally file a consumer proposal unless they owe $8000 or more.

    The decision to file a consumer proposal should be less about the total amount of your debt and more about your ability to honour your monthly obligations.

    For example, some people who are honouring their monthly payments of debt choose to file a consumer proposal because they can only manage minimum payments and with interest there is no way that they will ever be able to pay off all their debts.

    How does a consumer proposal work?

    To start, your finances will need to be reviewed and a sum will be arrived at based on a financial calculation of what you can afford monthly. Based on this, a sum that would be distributed to your creditors would be proposed to those creditors as a full and final arrangement.

    If the sum is accepted by your creditors, your proposal moves forward.

    Once accepted, your overall debt is often reduced, interest stops, collection action stops and you are left making a monthly payment over a term of often 4-5 years. A proposal can be paid in full at any time.

    Something to keep in mind is that proposals are administered by bankruptcy trustees, also known as Licensed Insolvency Trustees or LITs. While this individual represents you, they also represent your creditors – they have to do what they believe is best for both parties.

    It is always advantageous to first speak with a financial consultant who specializes in consumer proposals to understand the true scope of what you would be getting into, to better understand the pros and cons, and then structure the financial information to later be presented to the trustee. This way you are as protected as possible throughout the process.

    At DebtCare, your financial consultant works for you, not your creditors, resulting in the best deal for you! Want to find out more about how consumer proposals work?

    Get in touch today by calling 1 (888) 890-0888.

     

  • Paying Off OSAP: Student Loans, Consumer Proposals and You

    When you’ve studied tirelessly and spent years working towards that well-earned degree or diploma, the last thing you want to think about once you graduate is the debt that accumulated in your quest to obtain it. Unfortunately, student loans are unique in their formation, particularly OSAP loans, and so today we attempt to clear the waters. Today we’re talking student loans, consumer proposals, and how you can finally get yourself back on stable financial ground.

    As you’re no doubt aware, depending on the years spent in post-secondary academia and the amount of funding you borrowed in order to get that coveted piece of paper, student loan debts can become quite large. Typically, when you’re studying, and thus paying interest only, or, in the case of an OSAP loan, nothing at all, the debt may not seem like a big deal. However, once you graduate and are required to start paying it back, with interest, things can become very challenging, very quickly.

    A consumer proposal has become a very valuable resource for those looking for relief from debt that has grown to overwhelming proportions. Consumer proposals are great because, in addition to stopping interest and combining the various payments into one manageable monthly payment, a proposal typically results in an overall reduction of your total debt. However, there are certain things you need to know with regard to OSAP loans and consumer proposals.

    First things first: the only way to clear an OSAP loan if you have not been out of school for 7 years is to pay it in full. If that 7 year period has not passed yet, a consumer proposal (CP) won’t result in a reduction of that debt, and once the CP is over you’ll still be required to pay it. That being said, even if it isn’t reduced, a portion of your proposal payment will go to the OSAP loan in addition to your other creditors.

    On that note, if you are facing enforcement action as a result of the OSAP loan, a consumer proposal will stop it, even if you have not been out of school for 7 years. This is an important consideration if your wages are being garnished or your bank account has been frozen.

    On the other hand, if an OSAP loan is over 7 years old – meaning you’ve been out of school for 7+ years – you can include it in a consumer proposal. This means, in addition to the other debts you’ve accumulated, the overall OSAP loan will likely be reduced.

    So, to summarize, if collection action has commenced prior to the 7 year date, a consumer proposal will stop all enforcement action. You will be required to pay the loan in full, but you will have some relief, especially when your other creditors are included in the proposal. If you’ve been out of school for more than 7 years, you can include it as you would any other debt.

    At DebtCare, we know how difficult it can be to deal with student loans. Often a consumer proposal represents your greatest opportunity for relief. Want to discuss your options?

    Please get in touch with us today by calling 1 (888) 890-0888.

     

  • Who Represents You in a Consumer Proposal?

    For many Canadians drowning in debt, a consumer proposal is a very valuable resource. The ability to reduce the amount of debt you owe, reduce interest and combine all payments into a single monthly payment you can afford, are all really significant benefits. That being said, a consumer proposal is a complex legal process, one that must be administered by a trustee in bankruptcy, so the question remains, who represents you in a consumer proposal?

    Often people are confused when it comes to this question. After all, trustees often market their services as a solution to your debt problems, and since you’ve enlisted their services, it would seem a safe assumption that they represent you. And that isn’t necessarily an incorrect assumption. A trustee does in fact represent you in a consumer proposal. The problem is, they also represent your creditors.

    When administering a consumer proposal, a trustee is required to be an impartial party, presenting the best solution for you and a fair option for your creditors. The issue with this is that trustees are paid based on a percentage of your proposal, so the bigger the proposal, the more they earn. This creates a major conflict of interest when it comes to protecting you!

    When you first meet with a trustee, they will ask you to provide information about yourself and your finances. Entering this meeting assuming the trustee is representing you and you alone can result in you providing information not necessary for the administration of the consumer proposal. This information may then be used to obtain a larger amount for your creditors, and thus a larger paycheque for your trustee.

    Going to a trustee without representation is like going to court without a lawyer. Most, we would argue, would see this as a rather dangerous idea, and thus is one we would advise against. It is the same with a consumer proposal. You want your own representation when considering a consumer proposal – representation to provide protection for you and your financial assets without having to also worry about your creditors.

    The point of this blog is not to argue that trustees cannot be trusted. Most can, but government regulation requires them to be fair to all parties, which naturally results in issues. The point is to inform you of the dangers of calling a trustee before securing your own representation.

    Our advice is to speak with a financial consultant who can protect you, one hired by you to represent you so there are no repercussions in telling them everything. They can negotiate your consumer proposal with a trustee so that the deal proposed is likely to be successful.

    At DebtCare, we have longstanding relationships with several trustees and can protect you throughout the process.

    Contact us today before contacting a trustee directly. 1-888-890-0888.