Personal Bankruptcy Richmond Hill – 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 Richmond Hill, 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 Won’t Do For You
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 types of debt that you can’t declare bankruptcy on:
- Secured debts, like mortgages or car loans
- Student loans that are less than 7 years old
- Child and alimony support payments that are in arrears
Some people also want to declare bankruptcy because of their credit card debt. However, if they only recently got into debt with their credit cards, creditors may oppose eliminating the debts with 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.
Many people aren’t aware that their trustee, their creditors, the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy or the Court could oppose or delay their discharge from bankruptcy. Depending on someone’s situation, they may need to attend a hearing, answer questions under oath and/or meet additional requirements to obtain their discharge.
Credit Ratings & 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 on Global TV and CTV News
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.
See even more of the Credit Counselling Society on 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.
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
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.
Filing for a Consumer Proposal
If you need a legal alternative to filing for bankruptcy, your situation might mean that you need a Consumer Proposal. A Consumer Proposal in Richmond Hill 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 Hope Without Declaring Bankruptcy
“Whatever your financial worries, trepidation or fear of being judged/forced into bankruptcy – get CCS to help. Their staff is incredible, couldn’t have dealt with a better group of people. They are truly dedicated to finding practical solutions, advocating for your financial future. First they provide hope, then they help and finish by delivering happiness.”
– Daryl, Actual Client Review from Google
Non Profit, Confidential Bankruptcy & Credit Counselling Information & Advice in Richmond Hill, Ontario
One of our expert Credit Counsellors can help if you need answers to questions about joint debts, have questions about debts left over from a divorce, want to learn more about alternatives to bankruptcy, or want to know more about how going bankrupt would affect you. They are experts in helping people come up with good solutions to deal with their debts, and would be happy to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision to get your finances back on track.
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 Richmond Hill 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
Office Serving Richmond Hill
Suite 520 – 425 Bloor Street East
Toronto, ON M4W 3R4
Phone: 647-776-0485
Our office that serves Richmond Hill also offers bankruptcy alternatives in North York, Thornhill, Markham, Gormley, Aurora, King City, Vaughan, Concord, and York Region.
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 Richmond Hill, contact us today at 647-776-0485, 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 helps those who are having difficulty with their payday loans – even online loans – in Richmond Hill.