Personal Bankruptcy Ottawa – Facts, Alternatives & Options | Ontario
No one wants to file for bankruptcy. Find other options and get more information before taking such a drastic step.
Personal Bankruptcy in Ottawa, Ontario – Bankruptcy might be the first thing you think of when you realize that you can’t keep up with your bills and debts. It might even be the right debt solution for you. But, before declaring bankruptcy, you need to know your options, how the process works and how it will affect you and your family in the years to come. Let us help you avoid a mistake by explaining all of your options first.
Types of Debts – What Bankruptcy Won’t Do
There’s a lot that people don’t tell you about bankruptcy. Sure, it will get rid of most of your debts, but there are some debts you might still have to pay because they can’t be included in your bankruptcy.
3 common types of debt that aren’t included in a bankruptcy are:
- Secured debts, like a mortgage or car loan
- Student loans that are less than 7 years old
- Child and alimony support payments that you’re behind on
Many people think that they need to declare bankruptcy because of their credit card debt, but if that debt is recent, creditors may not allow you to eliminate those balances with bankruptcy.
The Bankruptcy Process – Working with Your Trustee to Obtain Your Discharge
Those who have gone bankrupt might not tell you that it takes a minimum of 9 months to complete the bankruptcy process. There are costs and fees to go bankrupt, which you pay to your trustee, as well as bankruptcy counselling sessions you must attend. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to pay extra to your creditors, which delays completing the process and obtaining your discharge. Not everyone loses their home and assets when they file for bankruptcy, but assets above what you’re allowed to keep in Ontario will be sold by your trustee.
You should also be aware that your trustee, your creditors, the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy or the Court can oppose or delay your bankruptcy discharge. Depending on your situation, you may need to attend a hearing, answer questions under oath and/or meet the additional requirements to obtain your discharge.
Credit Ratings & Bankruptcy in Canada
Bankruptcy is one of the worst things you can do to your credit rating. There is no easy way to obtain credit after you have legally eliminated your debts through bankruptcy. It takes time and patience before creditors trust you enough to lend you money again. Not being able to take out a loan, renew your mortgage or apply for a low interest rate credit card can impact your financial plans and put your life on hold.
People We Helped Interviewed by the News Media
From time to time, the news media interviews some of those we helped who are comfortable sharing their story publicly. Below are three of these experiences with the Credit Counselling Society.
You can see more of the Credit Counselling Society in the news.
Alternatives to Bankruptcy in Ontario
By now you are likely wondering what alternatives to bankruptcy really exist. There are quite a few, and combining them might also be a solution. Depending on your situation, 4 options that might work for you are: consolidation loans, debt repayment programs, debt settlement options or a Consumer Proposal.
Debt Consolidation & Debt Repayment Plans
Consolidation usually means consolidating your bills and everything you owe into a new loan. With a fine-tuned budget, this might work for you. For other people, consolidating only the monthly payments makes more sense. Don’t worry if you’ve been turned down by your bank or credit union. There are other types of debt consolidation that may be available.
When you consolidate payments, you don’t actually borrow more money, so bad credit is never a problem. That’s how a debt management program with a non-profit credit counselling organization works. Your creditors will help you by lowering or waiving ongoing interest charges. This saves you thousands of dollars in interest and lets you repay your debts. The amount you pay each month is based on your budget and on what you can afford.
Settle Debt
Consolidation programs and loans help you repay what you borrowed. Most people really do want to pay back what they owe and not walk away from their debts by declaring bankruptcy. However, only paying back part of what you owe might be the best solution. That’s where a debt settlement, when structured properly, can help. You need a lump sum of money to offer your creditors a settlement, but sometimes that’s not as far-fetched an option as you might think.
Consumer Proposal
There are also times where you need a legal alternative to bankruptcy, so a Consumer Proposal might be right. A Consumer Proposal in Ottawa is set up by a trustee, and once agreed to by your creditors, you make monthly payments to repay part of what you owe.
What’s My Best Option?
As you can tell, a lot depends on your situation. When you’re just trying to make ends meet and duck the collection phone calls, you need help looking at your circumstances objectively. You need a professionally trained Credit & Debt Counsellor to help you come up with a good plan.
There’s a Way Out of Debt Without Bankruptcy
“I’m so grateful for the help of The Credit Counselling Society. I honestly didn’t know what to do. I got myself in debt way more than I could handle. And it’s nice to know that I’m paying off my debt with their help rather than claiming bankruptcy. Thank you so much everybody that spoke with me at the credit counselling.”
– Tammy, Actual Client Review from Facebook
Non Profit Bankruptcy & Credit Counselling Information & Advice in Ottawa, Ontario
If you want to find out why someone shouldn’t declare bankruptcy, get answers to your questions about joint debts or debts left over from a divorce, or learn more about alternatives to bankruptcy, one of our Credit & Debt Counsellors can help! They are experts in helping people with their debts and money, and they’d be happy to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your financial future.
Your Counsellor will:
- Explain all of your options to deal with your debts, including alternatives to bankruptcy
- Show you how to effectively manage all of your bills and living expenses
- Refer you to a bankruptcy trustee in Ottawa if it looks like bankruptcy is your best option
- Answer your questions and give you the guidance you need to know what to do about your debts
Ottawa Office
331 - 116 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON K1P 5G3
Phone: 613-234-0505
Our Ottawa office also provides bankruptcy alternative options in Kanata, Nepean, Ottawa West, Ottawa South, Stittsville, Greenbelt, Ottawa East, Cumberland, Embrun, Casselman, Winchester, Kemptville, Smiths Falls, Carleton Place, Perth, Mississippi Mills, Arnprior, and Renfrew.
We specialize in helping people just like you deal with their debts in ways that work best for them. It really is possible to be debt free and look forward to a stable financial future. To learn more or to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our Debt Counsellors that serves Ottawa, contact us today at 613-234-0505, email us or chat with us online.
Putting Your Interests First
Our goal is to always put consumers first and look out for their best interests in everything we do. One way we do this is through transparency and accountability. We are held accountable to the most rigorous standards in our industry.
The Credit Counselling Society also provides help to those who are struggling with payday loans – including online loans – in Ottawa.