Bankruptcy And My Spouse
A common question I receive from many people I see is “how will bankruptcy affect my spouse?” Many have the mistaken impression that because they are married, their spouse is automatically responsible for their debts. This is not the case. The good news is, in Canada, marriage alone does not make you responsible for your…
Read More
What are my options?
Whether you are barely holding on or the debt collectors have already come knocking, the best strategy is to take stock of the situation and come up with a plan as soon as possible. Everyone has the same basic options when it comes to dealing with your debt. 1. Deal with creditors directly Check your…
Read More
It May Surprise You To Know Who Files Bankruptcy In Ontario
Filing for personal bankruptcy still carries a powerful stigma in Ontario. When people hear the word “bankruptcy” images of irresponsible, lazy consumers are usually conjured up. The truth is that there are plenty of people who find themselves in desperate financial situations despite having initially had every intention of paying their creditors. Marital breakdown, reduced…
Read More
Buying A House After A Bankruptcy
If you’ve declared bankruptcy in the past, know that you’re not alone. Further, know that your situation is nothing to be ashamed of. No one wants to declare bankruptcy; sometimes, it may be the only solution to a difficult situation. I see many people who are concerned that filing bankruptcy or making a consumer proposal will effect…
Read More
Debunking Canadian Bankruptcy Myths
Many people believe that bankruptcy is a rare occurence in Canada, but it may happen more than you think. In fact, bankruptcy happens to almost 120,000 Canadians every year. If that’s surprising to you, here are some myths about bankruptcy that might surprise you even more! Myth #1 – Filing bankruptcy will affect my spouse Many have the…
Read More
Should you file bankruptcy before the new year?
There are some clear advantages to filing before the end of the year. When you file personal bankruptcy the trustee will prepare and file your income tax return and keep the refund for the year of bankruptcy and any prior taxation year that you had not yet filed and received the refund for. What this means is…
Read More
When choosing a bankruptcy trustee…
When someone files bankruptcy, whether of your own choosing or not, it isn’t an ideal nor an overly pleasant situation. Even if it is the best option for you and can actually improve your day-to-day life, the social stigma of bankruptcy is felt very keenly by many people. It is desirable, then, for the process…
Read More
Debt and Divorce
When people get divorced, there are many unforeseen expenses that may lead you into financial difficulty. Household expenses essentially double, which alters your current financial situation and causes major money problems regardless of how much money someone makes or how well they managed their finances while they were in the relationship. Not only that, but you will still…
Read More
Who will know about my bankruptcy?
Filing a bankruptcy means that certain documents can become public, but in your personal life, the only people who will know about your bankruptcy are those who you choose to inform. The amount of information that is public is very limited, and in fact is not very front and center. The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy will…
Read More
RRSPs And Creditors
With the February 29th RRSP deadline looming, people who are struggling with debt may be curious about how their RRSP contributions may be affected if they were to file bankruptcy. Certain RRSP and RRIF holdings are protected from creditors under a provision of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. RRSP and registered retirement income fund (RRIF) proceeds held under any…
Read More