Consumer Proposal North Bay, Ontario – Straight Facts and Other Options
What is a consumer proposal, and could it be the best option for my situation?
If you are looking to consolidate your debts, one option available is to file a Consumer Proposal in North Bay. 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 licensed bankruptcy trustee and it costs approximately $1,500 to file. You pay an initial setup fee to begin, and then, if the arrangement is acceptable to your creditors, you then pay the balance to continue the process. The trustee you work with will additionally hold back 20% of your future payments as an administration fee. For the Consumer Proposal to be legally binding, your creditors who own the majority of your debt must agree to the proposed repayment plan. If they do, you then have to repay the agreed amount over a maximum repayment period of 5 years.
The Advantages & Disadvantages of Filing a Consumer Proposal in Ontario
There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to filing a Consumer Proposal. Here are some that are important to be aware of:
Advantages
- It can substantially reduce the amount of debt you are required to pay your creditors
- It can be an effective way of consolidating debt in North Bay, Ontario if:
- You can’t afford to repay all of what you owe
- You have stable income
- You have enough money in your budget to make monthly payments
- It will pause active collection on student loan payments
- Can be a good option if:
- You don’t qualify for a debt consolidation loan
- If you have debts (like high government debt) that can’t be included in a debt management program
- It is one of the last ways to avoid bankruptcy
Disadvantages
- It’s not private. A proposal is filed as a permanent public record and is included on a searchable database
- It costs more than going bankrupt
- The Consumer Proposal must be approved by a Judge
- It can be rejected by your creditors. If they reject it, you may have to offer them more money for to
- Missing more than 2 payments may mean that you need to file for bankruptcy
- Not all debts can be included (like secured loans)
- If you stopped being a student less than 7 years ago, your student loans can’t be included
- Depending on the type of assets you have, some might need to be sold
- It may affect future employment opportunities, and the permanent record of your insolvency can put certain professional licenses at risk
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
Beware of the Big Debt Rip-Off
Consumer Proposals have become the latest method for a growing number of for-profit companies and their sales people to take advantage of vulnerable, unsuspecting consumers. Don’t let this happen to you! Many debt relief companies are now claiming to offer Consumer Proposals as an easy way to get out of debt. There’s a problem. Only a licensed bankruptcy trustee is allowed to file paperwork for a Consumer Proposal. The debt relief companies charge thousands in fees only to refer you to a bankruptcy trustee who then charges his or her own fees.
How to Prevent Getting Ripped Off
Follow the three suggestions below and begin by talking to an accredited member of Credit Counselling Canada (Canada’s national association of not-for-profit credit counselling organizations who never pay their employees commission). If the agency you speak to believes that a Consumer Proposal would truly be one of your best options, they’ll let you know and refer you to a reputable bankruptcy trustee in your area for free.
Talk to a Not-for-Profit Credit Counsellor
Don't Pay Anyone But a Bankruptcy Trustee
Be Careful with Commission Based Debt Consultants
How a Consumer Proposal Impacts 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 payments to secured creditors, like for a car loan, outside of your Consumer Proposal, those creditors will report on those debts separately. Creating and sticking to a realistic budget will make this easier.
If you are able to maintain a good payment history on a secured debt while you’re making your proposal payments, this can help you re-build credit afterwards.
When you’re experiencing financial difficulty, you may think that bankruptcy is your only option. There are a lot of options to deal with debt in Canada. A Consumer Proposal isn’t the right option for everyone, but it can be a good option for some people. To find out what options might be right for you, call one of our accredited, professional Debt Counsellors today. Our appointments are either in person or over the phone. They don’t cost you anything, are non-judgmental, and are completely confidential.
For more information or to arrange an appointment to speak with one of our Counsellors, contact us in North Bay at 1-888-527-8999. You can also email or chat with us online right now.
Related Resources
Here are some related topics that may be useful for you.
Debt Consolidation Options & Alternatives
Find Out How a Debt Management Program Works
The Differences Between Consumer Proposals & Bankruptcy
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 Ontario
- List of Licensed Bankruptcy Trustees
- Insolvency Terms & What They Mean
- Credit Counselling Society Ontario office locations
The Credit Counselling Society is an award winning, non-profit credit counselling service provider in North Bay, Ontario with