Consumer and Debt Problems

Here are the first steps and some useful resources for people in BC facing consumer or debt-related

problems such as:

• I don’t have enough money to pay my debts.
• The bank is threatening foreclosure on my home.
• A debt collector is harassing me.
• I bought a product from a door-to-door salesperson and no longer want it.
• My car broke down and the dealer won’t fix it.

Bankruptcy costs money. The simplest will cost you about $1400. This may seem ironic if you can’t pay the debts you already have! However, many Trustees in Bankruptcy offer a free initial consultation and will negotiate a payment plan you can afford. There are some debts, such as maintenance payments, court fines and some student loans, that won’t go away after a bankruptcy.

A sum of money or an obligation owed by one person to another. A "debtor" is a person responsible for paying a debt; a "creditor" is the person to whom the debt is owed.

In law, a calculation of the allowable legal expenses of a party to a court proceeding, as determined by the Supreme Court Family Rules. The party who is most successful in a court proceeding is usually awarded their "costs" of the proceeding. See "account," "bill of costs," "Certificate of Costs or Expenses" and "lawyer's fees."

In contract law, the expression, either orally or in writing, of a willingness to be bound by a proposed agreement, contract, or settlement. See "offer to settle."

In family law, an antiquated term referring to child support and spousal support. See "child support" and "spousal support."