Ripped off by a Debt Settlement Company?

I’ve met many people who feel they have been ripped off by debt settlement companies in Canada. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible for the average consumer to discern who they can trust. If you are one of the thousands of Canadians who feel they’ve been ripped off by a debt settlement company, you should consider taking…
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E-Filing Tax Returns After Filing Personal Bankruptcy

Many people who have filed personal bankruptcy in the past have difficulty e-filing their income tax return even after being discharged. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) does not allow individuals who have filed personal bankruptcy to e-file their income tax returns until the trustee has been discharged. There are two discharges associated with personal bankruptcy filing…
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Dealing With Your Debt Doesn’t Have To Be Scary

Are debt issues scaring you most this Halloween? If the things you’re most afraid of this Halloween are dealing with collection calls or opening creditor letters, it’s probably time to get some help with your personal debt problems. Meeting with a trustee isn’t scary and most people are shocked to find out how simple filing…
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How many payments is a consumer proposal?

Consumer proposals can be filed for as few as one lump-sum payment to as many as sixty monthly payments. Sixty months is the longest term under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Most of the consumer proposals I help people to file are set up at sixty months. The main reason for this is because I want to…
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Can I pay off my consumer proposal early?

A clause allows you to pay-off and complete your consumer proposal at any time. Every consumer proposal that is filed by my office includes a clause that states as soon as the total due is paid, the consumer proposal is deemed fully-performed. This clause allows you to pay-off and complete your consumer proposal at any time….
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Why do most people file for bankruptcy?

According to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada, the total number of insolvencies (bankruptcies and proposals) in July 2014 was 1.5 percent higher than the total number of insolvencies in July 2013. While it isn’t a huge increase, it still spells hard times for a lot of families. Although each situation is unique, some of the…
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Can you consolidate credit card debt?

LORI ASKED: Can I consolidate all my credit card debt into one LOW monthly payment without filing for bankruptcy? ANSWER: There are three ways to “consolidate” all of your personal credit card debts into one low monthly payment: Consolidation Loan Debt Management Plan Consumer Proposal Each of these options has advantages and disadvantages. To see how much each…
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How To Pay A Consumer Proposal Off Early

As I mentioned in my previous blog post, Can I pay off my consumer proposal early?, you are allowed to pay off a consumer proposal early. The biggest advantage to doing this is that your proposal information will purge from your credit report sooner. In other words, you will be able to rebuild your credit score…
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Getting Financial Help For The First Time

Many people I meet with tell me that they were nervous to call me because they have never made a consumer proposal or filed personal bankruptcy before. This is a good thing. You don’t want to have much experience with consumer proposals or personal bankruptcy. True, unless you’re a licensed trustee in bankruptcy. While there are…
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