Personal Bankruptcy London – 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 London, Ontario – When you can’t afford to pay your bills and debts what comes to mind first? Many people think of filing for bankruptcy. While bankruptcy might be the right solution for you, you first need to find out about your other options, the ins and outs of the process, and how it will affect you and your family in the future. We want to help you avoid making a huge mistake by giving you information to make an informed decision.
Types of Debts – What Bankruptcy Won’t Do
It’s easy for people to tell you that bankruptcy helped them eliminate their debts, but do they also tell you that it’s not possible for everyone? Some debts might still have to be paid because by law, they can’t be included when you file for 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
It’s not well known, but it takes at least 9 months to go through all the steps of the bankruptcy process. As part of the process, you make payments to your trustee for the costs and fees of going bankrupt, and you also have to attend two bankruptcy counselling sessions. Completing the process and getting discharged takes longer if you need to pay extra to your creditors because of your situation. If you have assets or too much equity in your home, above what you’re allowed to keep in Ontario, your trustee will sell your assets for you.
You should also know that your bankruptcy trustee, your creditors, the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy or the Court can oppose or delay your discharge. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to attend a hearing, answer questions under oath and/or meet the additional requirements to obtain your discharge.
Your Credit Rating & 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’ve Helped Interviewed on CTV News and Global TV
From time to time, the news media interviews some of the people we helped who are comfortable sharing their story publicly. Below are three Canadians who shared their experience with the Credit Counselling Society.
Ontario Bankruptcy Alternatives
You may now be curious as to which bankruptcy alternatives can work for you. The right solution might not just be one option, but a combination of a few different ones. Depending on your situation, 4 options that you likely need more information about are: consolidation loans, debt repayment programs, debt settlement options or a Consumer Proposal.
Consolidation & Debt Repayment Programs
Consolidation means a lot of things, and while most people think that they need a loan to consolidate their bills and debts, that’s not always possible. If you’ve got a good household budget, a loan might work for you. However, if you’ve been declined for a debt consolidation loan, consolidating only your monthly payments might make more sense.
If you happen to have bad credit, you might be worried about consolidating your debts, but consolidating payments doesn’t mean borrowing more money, so credit problems aren’t an issue. That’s how a debt management program with a non-profit credit counselling agency works. Your creditors help you by lowering or waiving interest charges. This makes smaller payments possible, saves you thousands in interest and lets you pay back what you borrowed. Your monthly payments are based on what you can afford and there’s no loan to get you deeper into debt.
Debt Settlement
To help you pay back what you borrowed, consolidation programs and loans can help. Most people don’t want to walk away from their debts and go bankrupt, but they think they have to because they don’t know what else to do. Surprisingly, sometimes only paying back part of what you owe can also be a solution. When done properly, a debt settlement offers your creditors a lump sum of money. That might not be 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 London is set up by a trustee, and once agreed to by your creditors, you make monthly payments to repay part of what you owe.
How Do I Decide Which Option to Go For?
The right solution to your debts depends on your circumstances. When you’re busy just trying to get from one pay cheque to the next and avoiding collection calls, you need help to look at your situation with a fresh set of ideas. You need a qualified Debt & Credit Counsellor to help you come up with a good plan.
There’s Life Beyond Debt for Everyone
“I am likely going to be out of debt within a year – and that’s over a year ahead of the initial estimate! Best part of that is that because the Credit Counselling Society did it as a debt repayment arrangement, unlike bankruptcy, it will be much better on my credit rating – and as proof, when I applied for new cell and cable service in Vancouver, my rating has already improved such that I got new accounts without a limit or deposit!”
– Paul, Actual Client from Yelp
Non Profit Bankruptcy & Credit Counselling Information & Advice in London, Ontario
Get answers to your questions about joint debts or debts remaining after a divorce, find out why someone should not file for bankruptcy, or learn more about bankruptcy alternatives from one of our Debt & Credit Counsellors! They are experts in helping people find solutions to their debt and money problems, and they’d be happy to give you with the information you need to make choices that will benefit 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 London 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
London Office
341 Talbot Street
London, ON N6A 2R5
This office is currently closed. Please call us to make a telephone appointment.
Our London office also provides bankruptcy alternative options in Dorchester, Ingersoll, Woodstock, St. Marys, Stratford, Mitchell, Exeter, Bluewater, Clinton, Ailsa Craig, Grand Bend, Mt Brydges, Watford, Glencoe, Dutton, St. Thomas, Aylmer, Port Stanley, Tillsonburg, and Delhi.
Each year we help thousands of people just like you successfully deal with their debts. Looking forward to a debt-free financial future really is possible. To learn more or to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment with one of our professionally trained Credit Counsellors who serves London, contact us today at 519-286-0801, 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 London.