Bankruptcy Alternatives in Woodstock
Explore all your options, and get your finances back on track.

Personal Bankruptcy Woodstock – 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 Woodstock, 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.

You Probably Have Other Options
See What They Are
You may firmly believe that bankruptcy is the only way to resolve your financial situation, but it's very possible that other viable options are available to you - other options that could potentially help you achieve your financial objectives sooner, with far more privacy, and with far less of an impact to your credit or career. Every option has pros and cons, but it's worth taking a few minutes to see what your options look like and whether you think you'd like to look into any of them further.

Types of Debts – What Bankruptcy Can’t Do

Bankruptcy isn’t something most people want to talk about with their friends. Yes, bankruptcy gets rid of most of your debts, but did you know that there are some debts you might still have to repay 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

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 Report & Bankruptcy in Canada

Legally eliminating debt through bankruptcy seriously impacts your credit rating and makes it hard to obtain credit later. You need to show creditors why they should trust you enough to lend you money again. Not being able to renew your mortgage, get a loan or apply for a low interest rate credit card often impacts other financial plans and puts your life on hold.

Global TV and CTV News Interview People We Helped

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.

Global News interviews Julia Fletcher after she avoided bankruptcy and eliminated her debt with help from the Credit Counselling Society. Watch News Clip
CTV story shows how Dan Robinson pays off $30,000 in debt with zero interest after getting help from the Credit Counselling Society. CTV – Help to Pay Down Debt
Global TV sits down with Charis who has almost paid off $67,000 worth of debt on 13 credit cards with the assistance of the Credit Counselling Society. Watch

Ontario Bankruptcy Alternatives

By now you may be wondering which alternatives to bankruptcy could work for you. There are a number of options and the best solution might mean combining some of them. Depending on your circumstances, 4 options that you may not have considered are: consolidation loans, debt repayment programs, debt settlement options or a Consumer Proposal.

Consolidation & Debt Repayment Programs

When you hear the words “debt consolidation,” you probably think that this means consolidating your bills and other debts into a new loan. This could work for you if you’ve got a realistic budget. For many people, it makes more sense to consolidate only their monthly payments. Don’t worry if you’ve been turned down for a consolidation loan by your lender. There are other types of debt consolidation to consider.

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

Repayment and consolidation programs or loans help you pay back what you borrowed – which is a good thing because most people really don’t want to file for bankruptcy and walk away from their debts. However, sometimes it’s possible that only paying back part of a debt may be the best solution. That’s where a debt settlement with a reputable company might help. Offering creditors a settlement requires a lump sum of money, but sometimes that’s not as far-fetched an option as you might think.

Filing a 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 Woodstock is set up by a trustee, and once agreed to by your creditors, you make monthly payments to repay part of what you owe.

Which Option is Best?

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 Woodstock, 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:

  • Review all of your options to deal with your debts, including bankruptcy alternatives
  • Show you how to manage your living costs and bills effectively
  • Refer you to a bankruptcy trustee in Woodstock if filing for bankruptcy is a good option for you
  • Answer your questions and explain what you need to know so that you can decide the best way to deal with your debts

 

Office Serving Woodstock
341 Talbot Street
London, ON N6A 2R5

Phone: 519-286-0801

Free Credit Counselling Appointments for Woodstock, Ontario

We are experts in helping individuals and families just like you find good solutions to their debt problems. It really is possible to get back on track and look forward to being debt free. To find out more or to schedule a free, confidential appointment with one of our Credit Counsellors who serves Woodstock, 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.

Certified by Great Places to Work Canada
Accredited by Canada’s national association of non-profit credit counselling organizations.
North America’s largest association of non-profit credit counselling organizations.
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

The Credit Counselling Society also offers assistance to people who need help with their payday loans in Woodstock (even online ones).