Consumer Proposal Sylvan Lake, Alberta – Other Options & Stuff You Need to Know
What is a consumer proposal, and is it the best option for me?
If you are looking to consolidate your debts, one option available is to file a Consumer Proposal in Sylvan Lake. This is a legal process governed by the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act between yourself and your creditors to pay back a portion of the debt you owe. The amount of debt that you repay is mainly based on your income and what assets you own.
A Consumer Proposal can only be arranged and administered by a bankruptcy trustee and costs about $1,500 to file. You pay an initial setup fee, and then, if it is accepted by your creditors, you will pay the remaining balance to proceed. In addition to this, the trustee will also retain 20% of your future payments as a fee for administering your Consumer Proposal. To be legally binding, the creditors who hold the majority of your debt must agree to the proposal. Once they do, you repay the agreed amount over a maximum of 5 years.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Filing for a Consumer Proposal
There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to filing a Consumer Proposal. Here are some that are important to be aware of:
Advantages
- It can significantly reduce the amount of debt you have to repay your creditors
- It can be an effective method of debt consolidation in Sylvan Lake, Alberta if:
- You cannot afford to pay back all the debt you owe
- You have steady income
- Your budget has enough money in it for you to make monthly payments
- Has the potential to be a good option if:
- You aren’t able to qualify for a consolidation loan
- If you have debts (like high government debt) which need to remain outside of a debt management program
- Will put active collection of student loan payments on hold
- It is one of the final ways of avoiding bankruptcy
Disadvantages
- It’s not private. A proposal is a permanent public record included on a searchable database
- It’s more expensive than declaring bankruptcy
- It must be approved by the Court
- Creditors can reject the Consumer Proposal – if they do, you may have to offer them additional funds otherwise your proposal will not proceed
- If you miss more than 2 payments you may need to file for bankruptcy
- Student loans can’t be included if they are less than 7 years old
- Secured debts aren’t included
- Some assets (such as your home, vehicles, or investments) may need to be sold
- The permanent record of your insolvency can put certain professional licenses at risk and may also affect future employment opportunities
There’s Life Beyond Debt for Everyone
“When debts became a problem, I felt very overwhelmed – like I could not see the end of the tunnel. Picking up the phone felt like lifting a 10 pound rock, but they were very cheerful on the other end of the line. I came in, discussed my situation in privacy, and instantly got relief knowing I was in good hands.”
– Delores, Actual Client
Watch Out for the Big Debt Rip-Off
Consumer Proposals have become the newest way for a growing number of companies and their sales people to take advantage of unsuspecting, vulnerable Canadians. Don’t let this happen to you! A lot of companies offering debt relief are now claiming to provide Consumer Proposals as a great way of getting out of debt. But there’s a problem. Only a government licensed bankruptcy trustee is permitted to file paperwork for a Consumer Proposal. These debt relief companies bill people for thousands in fees only to refer them to a bankruptcy trustee who then charges his or her own fees.
How to Keep from Getting Ripped Off
Follow the tips outlined below, but start by speaking to a member of Credit Counselling Canada (a national association of non-profit credit counselling organizations who don’t work on commission). If a Consumer Proposal is a truly good option for you, one of their agencies will inform you and refer you to a reputable bankruptcy trustee for free.
Talk to a Not-for-Profit Credit Counsellor
Only Pay a Trustee for Consumer Proposal Services
Watch Out for Commission Based Debt Consultants
How a Consumer Proposal Can Impact Your Credit
When you make payments on a Consumer Proposal, there is a note on your credit report in the public records section that you have filed a proposal. Anyone who has your consent to see your credit report will see the public records section as well.
In addition, your creditors may report a “7” rating on the debts included in the proposal. This means that they are receiving payments through a third party. The third party is your trustee. When you make a payment to your trustee, they disburse the agreed upon amount to each of your creditors after all applicable fees have been paid.
If you are making monthly payments to secured creditors (like paying for a vehicle loan) outside of your Consumer Proposal, those debts will be reported separately by the creditors that you are paying. If you can create and stick with a realistic budget, then it should make this easier.
If you are able to keep up a good payment history on any secured debts while you are paying off your proposal, this can assist you in re-building your credit more quickly afterwards.
There are quite a number of options between financial difficulty and bankruptcy. A Consumer Proposal might be one good option for some people, but it’s not the best option for everyone. To find out what other options you have, speak with one of our professionally trained Credit Counsellors today, in person or over the phone. Our appointments are free, non-judgmental, and completely confidential.
To ask us some questions or to make an appointment to speak with a Counsellor, phone us in Sylvan Lake at 1-888-527-8999. You can also email or chat with us online right now.
Related Articles of Interest
Here are some related topics that may be useful for you.
Debt Consolidation Options & Alternatives
How Does a Debt Management Program Work?
Consumer Proposals Versus Bankruptcy - The Differences
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.
Related Links
- The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy for Alberta
- List of Bankruptcy Trustees
- Insolvency Glossary
- Credit Counselling Society Alberta office locations
The Credit Counselling Society is a leading, non-profit credit counselling service provider in Sylvan Lake, Alberta with