Consumer Proposals in North Battleford

Find out what you need to know and what to look out for.

Consumer Proposal North Battleford, Saskatchewan – Alternatives & Important Things You Need to Know

What is a consumer proposal, and is it the best option for me?

One option to consolidate your debts is to file a Consumer Proposal in North Battleford. It is a legal process under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act between you and your creditors to repay part of what you owe. The amount you repay is largely based upon your income and what you own.

A Consumer Proposal can only be setup by a bankruptcy trustee and costs around $1,500. You’ll pay an initial setup fee, and if it is accepted by your creditors, you will pay the balance to proceed. In addition, the trustee will keep 20% of your future payments as your Consumer Proposal administration fee. For the proposal to be legally binding, the creditors who own the majority of your debt must agree to the arrangement. If they do, then you will be required to repay the agreed upon amount over a maximum term of 5 years.

The Advantages & Disadvantages of Filing a Consumer Proposal in Saskatchewan

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 North Battleford, Saskatchewan 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 a private matter. A Consumer Proposal is filed as a permanent public record and is included on a searchable database
It costs more than filing for bankruptcy
The Court must approve it
Creditors can choose to reject the proposal. If they do, you may need to offer them additional funds to convince them to proceed
You might need to sell some of your assets (such as a vehicle, your home, or investments)
You may need to file for bankruptcy if you miss more than 2 payments
Secured debts cannot be put into a proposal
Student loans less than 7 years old can’t be included
It can put certain professional licenses at risk, and the permanent record of your insolvency may also affect some future employment opportunities

There’s a Way Out of Debt with Help

“I had just come to the point where I had given up hope – that there’s no way I could ever repay my debt. A friend of mine suggested I reach out, and I thought I’d get some condescending person on the phone lecture me about money, but my counsellor was the most compassionate, caring person who became sort of my own personal cheerleader.”

– Charis, Actual Client

Beware of the Big Debt Rip-Off

Consumer Proposals have unfortunately become the latest way for an increasing number of debt relief companies and their sales people to take advantage of vulnerable, unsuspecting consumers. Make sure you don’t let this happen to you! Many of these companies are now claiming to offer Consumer Proposals as an effective way to deal with debt. But there’s a problem. In Canada, only a licensed bankruptcy trustee is legally allowed to deal with Consumer Proposals. These debt relief agencies charge thousands of dollars in fees but then refer you to a bankruptcy trustee who then charges his or her own legitimate fees.

How to Keep from Getting Ripped Off

Follow the three tips below plus start by speaking with a member of Credit Counselling Canada (an association of non-profit credit counselling agencies who do not work on commission). If a Consumer Proposal is truly one of your best options, one of their agencies can let you know and refer you to a reputable bankruptcy trustee for free.

Talk to a Not-for-Profit Credit Counsellor

Talk to a non-profit Credit Counsellor about your situation first. They’ll review your whole financial picture with you and help you look into and understand all of your options to resolve your debt problems and get your finances back on track.

Don't Pay Anyone But a Bankruptcy Trustee

Never hand over money to anyone for Consumer Proposal services except a government licensed bankruptcy trustee. The law states that only they are allowed to offer and get paid for these services.

Watch Out for Consultants on Commission

Ask how the person helping you is compensated. Many people who will seek to advise you on your debts work on commission. Make sure the “solution” they are suggesting is in your best interest – not theirs.

How Your Credit Will Be Impacted by a Consumer Proposal

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 paying secured creditors, like those who hold your car loan, outside of your Consumer Proposal, those creditors will report your payments on those debts separately. Creating and maintaining a realistic budget will make it easier to keep these debts paid up to date.

If you are able to show a good payment pattern on a secured debt while you’re making all of your proposal payments, you’ll be that much further ahead afterwards when you want to re-build your credit.

Contact Us for More Info About Filing for a Consumer Proposal in North Battleford, Saskatchewan

Between financial difficulty and bankruptcy there can be many options. While a consumer proposal may be a good option for some, it isn’t the best option for everyone. To find out what options you have, call one of our professionally certified Credit Counsellors today. You can speak with a Counsellor in person or over the phone. Appointments with them are free, non-judgmental, and completely confidential.

For more information or to speak with a Counsellor, contact us in North Battleford at 1-888-527-8999. You can also email or chat with us online right now.

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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.

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The Credit Counselling Society is an award winning, non-profit credit counselling service provider in North Battleford, Saskatchewan with offices in communities across Canada.