Can’t afford to pay CRA debt?

It’s common this time of year to have people meet with me to discuss options their government debt. It can be a huge shock to people when they get their income tax done and are given the unexpected news that they owe CRA.  When someone is expecting to receive a return and are then told…
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Who do we help?

There is no clear pattern for how people find themselves in financial difficulty. It can happen suddenly through injury or illness, separation or divorce, or it can be due to not knowing how to manage your finances effectively. Whatever the reason, the important thing now is to find out what options are available to you…
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Alternative to Bankruptcy

There is a stigma around bankruptcy. No one likes talking about it and people, for the most part, want to keep their bankruptcy private. It’s become a dirty word in our society (which it shouldn’t be as it gives unfortunate debtors hope – but that’s another blog post). Therefore, when we offer debtors an alternative…
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Are all debts forgiven in bankruptcy?

A consumer proposal or a bankruptcy is a formal process under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act that allows people to get discharged from their debts that they owe to creditors. These are both great options for people who are struggling with a lot of debt and can’t find a way out on their own. By filing…
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Debt Repayment Options and Your Home

When you make a consumer proposal, your home and related equity is unaffected. The trustee and creditors will not take possession of your property and you will be able to keep any house equity that you have accumulated. On the flip side, if you file personal bankruptcy any equity that you have in your home becomes property of your bankrupt estate. So, before we make…
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TFSAs, RRSPs and Consumer Proposals

With a consumer proposal, you get to keep your assets, which includes your tax free savings account and your RRSPs. When you make a consumer proposal, you are offering your creditors a settlement, which is more than what they would get if you were to go bankrupt. Essentially you are saying, “let me keep all of my stuff, and I will agree to…
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Life After a Consumer Proposal

Consumer proposals are often times a great alternative to bankruptcy. For people who are concerned about a negative impact on their credit rating, which is a legitimate concern, a consumer proposal may be an option worth considering. In Ontario, a bankruptcy is typically on your credit rating for seven years from the date of discharge….
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How much should debt relief cost?

I usually advocate for shopping around when it comes to purchasing items at retail stores or online. It’s a simple way to save money and it doesn’t take much time (now that most prices can be found online). When it comes to the world of debt relief, it’s also important to “shop around” as you…
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Student Loans and CRA Debt

When people come and meet with me, they usually assume that certain debts can be included in bankruptcy or a consumer proposal, for instance, vehicle, credit card, payday loans, etc. But what people may not know, is that you may be able to include Student Loan and Canada Revenue Agency debt. Student Loan Debt Student…
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Consumer Proposal: What is it?

If your debt load is becoming overwhelming, and minimum monthly payments are finding you no further ahead than the previous month, a consumer proposal could be the right solution for you. Many people these days are trying to manage large debt loads and are feeling maxed out. Despite the amount you owe, these debts need…
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