Difference between revisions of "You Have Options for Getting Out of Debt"

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{{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = credit}}
{{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = credit}}
==What should you do if you have money problems?==
Being in debt is stressful. Falling behind in your payments can seriously affect your daily life. The good news is there are a number of options for getting out of debt.
First, assess your overall financial situation. List your monthly expenses for food, rent, clothing, transportation, medical and dental fees, and all other regular expenses (for example, music lessons, if your child takes them). Include a monthly amount for annual expenses like car repairs and insurance. Also include an amount for emergencies—you may have to replace the family car, the TV, your computer or the furnace. Total this up, and then subtract it from your income. The amount left over is what you have to pay off your debts.  


Do you have to pay more on your debts each month than you can afford? If so, you’re getting further into debt and should consider the following options. Not all of them will work for you, but one of them may.
==Understand your legal options==


==Options if you can’t pay off your debts==
===Option 1. Budgeting out of debt===  
You can take any of the following steps. Each step is explained below:
A little organization goes a long way in solving money problems. A key to getting out of debt is to fully assess your current financial situation. Your first step should be to list your '''assets''' (what you own) and '''debts''' (what you owe).  
#Solve the problem yourself.
#Use a debt-management program.
#Consolidate your debts.
#Apply for a consolidation order under the ''[http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/B-3/ Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act]''.
#Make a formal proposal under the ''Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act''.
#Declare personal bankruptcy, as a last resort.
#Take no action at all, in some very limited cases.


==1. Solve the problem yourself==
Your next step should be to make a '''budget'''. A budget is a plan for how you will spend money over a period of time, such as a month. It lists all the money you expect to get (your '''income''') and to spend (your '''expenses''') during that period.  
Sometimes, you can cut back on non-essential monthly expenses, so you have more money to pay off debts. You can also try to increase your income enough to make all your monthly payments. Maybe you can get a second or part-time job. Or your spouse or family may be able to help with a gift or loan. Meanwhile, stop using credit cards—they charge very high interest rates. If you need to borrow, get a loan from a conventional lending institution like a bank or credit union.  


You can contact your creditors, outline your situation, and ask them to suggest ways to solve your problem. They may agree to a better deal that still lets you pay your debts, for example, by charging a lower interest rate, writing off interest, or giving you more time to pay. Be careful about agreeing to repayment schedules that may be too hard. Don’t borrow more money or put off other creditors—and be charged more interest—just to pay the creditors taking action against you.  
Once you have a budget, you can better see where you’re spending on things that aren’t truly essential. This can help you decide what you can do without, and direct that extra money to reduce your debts.
You can also try to increase your income. Maybe you can get a second or part-time job. Or your relatives may be able to help with a gift or loan.


==2. Use a debt-management program==
{| class="wikitable"
A debt-management program involves a written agreement between you and the lender, with the help of an agency such as the [http://www.nomoredebts.org/ Credit Counselling Society of BC]. Typically, your debts are consolidated, or combined, into one affordable monthly payment so you can repay them in a reasonable time. Creditors usually support people who use debt-management programs by reducing or eliminating interest charges.  
|align="left"|'''Tip'''
Credit counsellors such as the [https://www.nomoredebts.org/ Credit Counselling Society] and [https://www.creditcanada.com/ Credit Canada] can help you review your finances and make a budget. They also offer [https://www.peopleslawschool.ca/everyday-legal-problems/money-debt/getting-out-debt/budgeting-out-debt useful tools] such as budget worksheets to help you get a handle on your spending.
|}
===Option 2. Negotiate with your creditors===
If you’re having trouble making payments, contacting your creditors to explore options together can help turn things around. Describe your financial situation and explain why you can’t stick to your original agreement. Show them the budget you’ve prepared. Make them an offer based on what you can afford.  


==3. Consolidate your debts==
Your creditors may agree to change the terms of your agreement to help you pay. For example, they may:
You may be able to get a consolidation loan from a bank or consumer finance company, which consolidates all your debts. You make just one payment each month. But the finance company will charge you a fee, and the interest may be higher. Also, you may have to use your personal possessions and household items as security for the loan.
*extend the time you have to repay
*charge you a lower interest rate
*reduce the amount of your payments


==4. Apply for a consolidation order under the ''Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act''==
{| class="wikitable"
If you have money available after your monthly budget costs, you could apply for a consolidation order under the orderly-payment-of-debts provisions of the ''Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act''. This involves consolidating your debts into one payment a month, based on your ability to pay. Certain restrictions apply, and certain debts are excluded. The advantage is that creditors cannot take legal action against you unless you default on your monthly payments. But they may still be able to seize any property you used to secure the debt. A credit counselling agency or bankruptcy trustee can explain this process.
|align="left"|'''Tip'''
Before you contact a creditor, find out when the '''limitation period''' expires. This is a time period [http://canlii.ca/t/8qx3 set by law] for how long someone has to bring a legal action. If it’s been more than two years since you made a payment on a debt or the creditor demanded payment, the creditor may have lost their legal right to enforce the debt.
|}
===Option 3. Consolidate your debts===
'''Consolidating your debts''' means combining them into a single payment. This can be done in a number of ways, such as through a consolidation loan, a line of credit, or a debt repayment plan.
====A consolidation loan====
A consolidation loan is a single, new loan used to pay off multiple debts. Usually, the consolidation loan has a lower interest rate than the average rate on your other debts. Making a single monthly payment is also simpler than having to keep track of multiple payments.  


==5. Make a formal proposal under the ''Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act''==
Your ability to qualify for a consolidation loan will depend on your income and your credit score.  
If you have a regular income and can make meaningful payments over time, you can get help from a bankruptcy trustee to make a formal proposal to your creditors under the ''Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act''. You can design the proposal to suit your situation and income. You may agree to pay in full, or in some smaller amount that creditors will accept. The repayment schedule can be up to five years.


The advantage of a formal proposal over a debt-management program or debt consolidation is that there’s an immediate “stay of proceedings” when you make the proposal. This means your creditors cannot start or continue any collection action against you. As long as the proposal is accepted—meaning that more than 50% of the unsecured creditors approve it—and you make your payments on time, the “stay” continues. Also, once you’ve successfully completed your proposal, none of the affected creditors has any remaining claims against you—even if they voted against the proposal. But if your proposal is not accepted, you will be declared bankrupt.  
====A line of credit==== 
Opening a line of credit for the total amount you owe is another way to consolidate your debts. A line of credit allows you to borrow funds from an account up to a certain credit limit. You only pay interest on the borrowed funds. Lines of credit can have lower interest rates than most loans.


==6. Declare personal bankruptcy, as a last resort==
====A debt repayment plan====
Sometimes, bankruptcy is the only solution. For this option, you need a trustee in bankruptcy. When you declare bankruptcy, you must “assign” or give your assets to the trustee, with some exemptions. The bankruptcy stays on your credit rating and can harm your ability to obtain credit for six years.  
A debt repayment plan is another way to consolidate your monthly debt payments into one. You set up an account with a credit counselling agency such as the [http://www.nomoredebts.org/ Credit Counselling Society]. You deposit a monthly amount into the account. The credit counsellor uses this amount to pay your creditors until your debts are erased.


==7. Take no action at all, in some very limited cases==
To develop the debt repayment plan, the credit counsellor contacts your creditors on your behalf and proposes a payment schedule based on your ability to pay. Usually, your monthly payments are then reduced, and extended over a longer period.
If you have no income or possessions, your creditors may not be able to collect any money from you to repay your debts. Or if your debts are more than six years old, or if you haven’t made any payments or admitted your debts in writing in the last six years, and creditors haven’t taken any legal action, they may have lost the right to sue you. But you should speak to a lawyer before choosing this option.  


==How do you decide what to do?==
===Option 4. Negotiate a debt settlement===
*'''Getting free advice and counselling:''' The [http://www.nomoredebts.org/ Credit Counselling Society of BC] is a non-profit debt counselling service. They offer counselling about possible solutions to your financial problems and free debt-management workshops. They can help you set up a personal budget to regain control of your finances. And they can set up a debt-management or debt-settlement program for you. The Society has offices in Vancouver, Delta, New Westminster, Surrey, Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Kelowna, and Victoria. Generally, there’s no cost for their services. Their toll-free number is 1.888.527.8999.  
In some situations, your creditors may be open to negotiating a '''debt settlement'''. This option involves paying them a lump sum amount that’s less than the full value of the debt you currently owe. Debt settlements can range between 20% and 80% of the debt owed. (Settlements at the lower end of this range are extremely rare and would require exceptional circumstances.)


*'''Get professional help:'''  A reputable, licensed credit counsellor or bankruptcy trustee can help. To find a credit counsellor, do an online search for “credit and debt counselling”. For a bankruptcy trustee, look for “bankruptcy trustee”. Or check with the [http://www.cairp.ca/ Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals] at 416.204.3242. Most bankruptcy trustees will give a free first consultation to assess your financial situation and explain your choices and their consequences.
A debt settlement only works when you have a convincing reason you can’t pay the full amount you owe. It could be you’ve had a major setback, such as a health problem or you lost your job. You’ll need to persuade your creditors that it’s in their interests to get paid (for example) 75% of what they’re owed rather than a small fraction (if you have to declare bankruptcy).


==More information==
You can get help with negotiating a debt settlement. Non-profit credit counselling agencies offer debt-settlement services. So do for-profit companies. Some are shady, so you need to be alert in hiring a debt settlement company.
Check the website section of the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada called ''[http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/bsf-osb.nsf/eng/br01861.html Consumed by debt? Information for consumers on the insolvency process]''. Or call the Office at 1.877.376.9902. This website has other information on the bankruptcy process, consumer debt and consumer proposals.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|align="left"|'''Tip'''
Under the [http://canlii.ca/t/85bb law in BC], anyone who represents you in negotiations with your creditors must be licensed as a “debt repayment agent”. People’s Law School’s [https://www.peopleslawschool.ca/everyday-legal-problems/money-debt/getting-out-debt/negotiating-debt-settlement page on negotiating a debt settlement] includes tips on protecting yourself if you are thinking of hiring a debt repayment agent.
|}
===Option 5. Make a consumer proposal===  
A '''consumer proposal''' is an offer you make to your creditors to settle your debts. If your creditors accept the proposal, you pay them a portion of what you owe, and they forgive the rest. It’s a formal, legally binding process overseen by a licensed insolvency trustee. This is a professional licensed by the federal government to advise people with debt problems.
 
For the arrangement to be legally binding, the creditors who hold a majority of your debt must accept the consumer proposal. Once the proposal is accepted, you repay the agreed amount over a maximum of five years.
 
Here are some considerations to be aware of before going this route:
*Making a consumer proposal costs more in fees than declaring bankruptcy.
*Some of your assets may need to be sold (but you get to keep more of your property than if you go bankrupt).
*A consumer proposal will hurt your credit score, but not for as long as declaring bankruptcy will.
 
===Option 6. Declare bankruptcy===
'''Bankruptcy''' is a legal process where you give up most of your assets to get rid of your debts. Going bankrupt is a long process with serious consequences, so it represents the most drastic option for getting out of debt.
 
The bankruptcy process begins with filing an application for bankruptcy with a [http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/bsf-osb.nsf/eng/home government office]. Under the [http://canlii.ca/t/7vcz law in Canada], a licensed insolvency trustee must file the application for you.
 
The trustee guides you through the bankruptcy process. They sell your assets (except for a few that are exempt from the process) to pay off your creditors. Once the process is complete, you’re “discharged” from bankruptcy. This releases you from your debts — except for a few types of debt, such as support payments, which under the law cannot be discharged. 
 
==Get help==
 
===With managing your finances===
The '''Credit Counselling Society of BC''' is a non-profit society that helps people better manage their money and debt. Contact them to book a free consultation with a credit counsellor.
:Toll-free: 1-888-527-8999
:Web: [http://www.nomoredebts.org/ nomoredebts.org]  
 
===With debt repayment agents===
'''Consumer Protection BC''' regulates “debt repayment agents”. Contact them to make a complaint about a debt settlement company.
:Toll-free: 1-888-564-9963
:Web: [http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/ consumerprotectionbc.ca]
 
===With formal legal processes===
The '''Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy''' oversees consumer proposals and bankruptcies, and investigates complaints against licensed insolvency trustees.
:Toll-free: 1-877-376-9902
:Web: [http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/bsf-osb.nsf/eng/home ic.gc.ca]
 
The '''Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals''' represents licensed insolvency trustees in Canada.
:Telephone: 647-695-3090
:Web: [http://www.cairp.ca cairp.ca] 
{| class="wikitable"
|align="left"|'''Tip'''
You must see a licensed insolvency trustee to make a consumer proposal or declare bankruptcy. To find a licensed insolvency trustee in your area, you can search the [http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/osb/tds/search.html?lang=eng government of Canada’s database at ic.gc.ca].
|}




Line 54: Line 107:
[updated October 2017]
[updated October 2017]


'''The above was last reviewed for accuracy by Robert Rogers and Barry Promislow, and edited by John Blois.'''
'''The above was last reviewed for legal accuracy by [https://www.peopleslawschool.ca/lawyer/robert-rogers Robert Rogers], Hamilton Duncan.'''


----
----

Revision as of 23:28, 17 February 2019

Being in debt is stressful. Falling behind in your payments can seriously affect your daily life. The good news is there are a number of options for getting out of debt.

Understand your legal options

Option 1. Budgeting out of debt

A little organization goes a long way in solving money problems. A key to getting out of debt is to fully assess your current financial situation. Your first step should be to list your assets (what you own) and debts (what you owe).

Your next step should be to make a budget. A budget is a plan for how you will spend money over a period of time, such as a month. It lists all the money you expect to get (your income) and to spend (your expenses) during that period.

Once you have a budget, you can better see where you’re spending on things that aren’t truly essential. This can help you decide what you can do without, and direct that extra money to reduce your debts. You can also try to increase your income. Maybe you can get a second or part-time job. Or your relatives may be able to help with a gift or loan.

Tip

Credit counsellors such as the Credit Counselling Society and Credit Canada can help you review your finances and make a budget. They also offer useful tools such as budget worksheets to help you get a handle on your spending.

Option 2. Negotiate with your creditors

If you’re having trouble making payments, contacting your creditors to explore options together can help turn things around. Describe your financial situation and explain why you can’t stick to your original agreement. Show them the budget you’ve prepared. Make them an offer based on what you can afford.

Your creditors may agree to change the terms of your agreement to help you pay. For example, they may:

  • extend the time you have to repay
  • charge you a lower interest rate
  • reduce the amount of your payments
Tip

Before you contact a creditor, find out when the limitation period expires. This is a time period set by law for how long someone has to bring a legal action. If it’s been more than two years since you made a payment on a debt or the creditor demanded payment, the creditor may have lost their legal right to enforce the debt.

Option 3. Consolidate your debts

Consolidating your debts means combining them into a single payment. This can be done in a number of ways, such as through a consolidation loan, a line of credit, or a debt repayment plan.

A consolidation loan

A consolidation loan is a single, new loan used to pay off multiple debts. Usually, the consolidation loan has a lower interest rate than the average rate on your other debts. Making a single monthly payment is also simpler than having to keep track of multiple payments.

Your ability to qualify for a consolidation loan will depend on your income and your credit score.

A line of credit

Opening a line of credit for the total amount you owe is another way to consolidate your debts. A line of credit allows you to borrow funds from an account up to a certain credit limit. You only pay interest on the borrowed funds. Lines of credit can have lower interest rates than most loans.

A debt repayment plan

A debt repayment plan is another way to consolidate your monthly debt payments into one. You set up an account with a credit counselling agency such as the Credit Counselling Society. You deposit a monthly amount into the account. The credit counsellor uses this amount to pay your creditors until your debts are erased.

To develop the debt repayment plan, the credit counsellor contacts your creditors on your behalf and proposes a payment schedule based on your ability to pay. Usually, your monthly payments are then reduced, and extended over a longer period.

Option 4. Negotiate a debt settlement

In some situations, your creditors may be open to negotiating a debt settlement. This option involves paying them a lump sum amount that’s less than the full value of the debt you currently owe. Debt settlements can range between 20% and 80% of the debt owed. (Settlements at the lower end of this range are extremely rare and would require exceptional circumstances.)

A debt settlement only works when you have a convincing reason you can’t pay the full amount you owe. It could be you’ve had a major setback, such as a health problem or you lost your job. You’ll need to persuade your creditors that it’s in their interests to get paid (for example) 75% of what they’re owed rather than a small fraction (if you have to declare bankruptcy).

You can get help with negotiating a debt settlement. Non-profit credit counselling agencies offer debt-settlement services. So do for-profit companies. Some are shady, so you need to be alert in hiring a debt settlement company.

Tip

Under the law in BC, anyone who represents you in negotiations with your creditors must be licensed as a “debt repayment agent”. People’s Law School’s page on negotiating a debt settlement includes tips on protecting yourself if you are thinking of hiring a debt repayment agent.

Option 5. Make a consumer proposal

A consumer proposal is an offer you make to your creditors to settle your debts. If your creditors accept the proposal, you pay them a portion of what you owe, and they forgive the rest. It’s a formal, legally binding process overseen by a licensed insolvency trustee. This is a professional licensed by the federal government to advise people with debt problems.

For the arrangement to be legally binding, the creditors who hold a majority of your debt must accept the consumer proposal. Once the proposal is accepted, you repay the agreed amount over a maximum of five years.

Here are some considerations to be aware of before going this route:

  • Making a consumer proposal costs more in fees than declaring bankruptcy.
  • Some of your assets may need to be sold (but you get to keep more of your property than if you go bankrupt).
  • A consumer proposal will hurt your credit score, but not for as long as declaring bankruptcy will.

Option 6. Declare bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal process where you give up most of your assets to get rid of your debts. Going bankrupt is a long process with serious consequences, so it represents the most drastic option for getting out of debt.

The bankruptcy process begins with filing an application for bankruptcy with a government office. Under the law in Canada, a licensed insolvency trustee must file the application for you.

The trustee guides you through the bankruptcy process. They sell your assets (except for a few that are exempt from the process) to pay off your creditors. Once the process is complete, you’re “discharged” from bankruptcy. This releases you from your debts — except for a few types of debt, such as support payments, which under the law cannot be discharged.

Get help

With managing your finances

The Credit Counselling Society of BC is a non-profit society that helps people better manage their money and debt. Contact them to book a free consultation with a credit counsellor.

Toll-free: 1-888-527-8999
Web: nomoredebts.org

With debt repayment agents

Consumer Protection BC regulates “debt repayment agents”. Contact them to make a complaint about a debt settlement company.

Toll-free: 1-888-564-9963
Web: consumerprotectionbc.ca

With formal legal processes

The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy oversees consumer proposals and bankruptcies, and investigates complaints against licensed insolvency trustees.

Toll-free: 1-877-376-9902
Web: ic.gc.ca

The Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals represents licensed insolvency trustees in Canada.

Telephone: 647-695-3090
Web: cairp.ca
Tip

You must see a licensed insolvency trustee to make a consumer proposal or declare bankruptcy. To find a licensed insolvency trustee in your area, you can search the government of Canada’s database at ic.gc.ca.


[updated October 2017]

The above was last reviewed for legal accuracy by Robert Rogers, Hamilton Duncan.



Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence Dial-A-Law © People's Law School is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence.