Personal Bankruptcy Oshawa – Facts, Options & Alternatives | Ontario
No one feels good about filing for bankruptcy. Get more information and find out what other options and solutions could work better, before making this important decision.
Bankruptcy in Oshawa, Ontario – Bankruptcy can be the only thing that comes to mind when you realize that you can’t afford to pay your debts and bills. It might be a good solution for your debt problems. But, before filing bankruptcy, you need to know more about your options, how the process works and what it could mean for you and your family in the future. We can help you avoid a possible mistake by showing you your other options first.
Types of Debts – What Bankruptcy Can’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 kinds of debt that are excluded from bankruptcy are:
- Secured debts, like a car loan or mortgage
- Student loans, if they are less than 7 years old
- Child and alimony support payments that aren’t up to date
Also, if you recently racked up credit card bills and now want to go bankrupt, creditors may stop you or ask that you pay more, before they let you get rid of the debt through bankruptcy.
The Bankruptcy Process – Working with Your Trustee to Gain 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.
Your Credit Report & Bankruptcy in Canada
Bankruptcy is noted on your credit report and seriously impacts your credit rating. Despite what people say, getting credit after you have eliminated your debts legally through bankruptcy is not easy. It takes patience and time to prove yourself to creditors again. Until they trust you enough to lend you money again, your financial plans might be on hold because you won’t be able to take out a loan, renew your mortgage or apply for a low interest rate credit card.
People We Helped Interviewed by the News Media
On occasion, the news media will talk to one or two of the people we helped who are comfortable sharing their story with the public. Below are three of these stories.
You can check out even 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.
Consolidating payments doesn’t involve borrowing more money, so there’s never a problem with bad credit. That’s how a debt management program and plan with a non-profit credit counselling organization works. Creditors help by lowering or waiving interest charges while you’re making your payments. This lets you pay off your debts and saves you thousands in interest and fees. What you pay each month is based on what you can afford after you’ve had help to create a realistic budget.
Debt Settlement
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
Sometimes a legal alternative to bankruptcy might be what you need. A Consumer Proposal could be the right solution depending on your situation. A Consumer Proposal in Oshawa is arranged by a trustee, and by making monthly payments, you pay back part of what you owe. Your creditors have the option to agree to the proposal or not.
Which Option is Best?
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, Confidential Bankruptcy & Credit Counselling Information & Advice in Oshawa, 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 bankruptcy alternatives and debt relief options
- Show you how to budget effectively for all of your household expenses
- Recommend bankruptcy trustees in Oshawa if it looks like declaring bankruptcy is the right option
- Provide answers and information so that you can choose the best way of dealing with your debts
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 Oshawa, contact us today at 1-888-527-8999, 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 offers assistance to people who need help with their payday loans in Oshawa (even online ones).