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Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario: 6 Differences With Bankruptcy

Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario: Introduction

Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario are treated very differently than in a Bankruptcy in Ontario. One of the most common questions that people in difficult financial situations ask is: what’s the difference between a consumer proposal and bankruptcy?

Personal bankruptcies and consumer proposals are two of the most common solutions available for personal financial issues. While both are designed to help people resolve debt issues and give users the necessary protection from creditors, learning what’s the difference between a consumer proposal and bankruptcy can help people make more informed decisions in the future.

  1. Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario: Consumer Proposal debt limitation

With a consumer proposal, it is only possible for you to claim it if your total debt does not exceed $250,000, excluding the debt owing on the mortgage(s) on your home. Additionally, you must be able to repay a part of those debts to apply.

  1. Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario: Creditor acceptance

However, your creditors must accept your proposal, as you do not automatically earn it upon signing up for the option. With bankruptcy, however, any person who owes their creditors more than $1,000 in debt is eligible to file without the need for creditor approval.

The ideal candidates for this situation are those who need some type of immediate financial relief and whose income and budget do not allow them to pay off the reduced amount agreed to in a consumer proposal, on a monthly basis, up to a maximum of 60 months.

  1. Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario: Fixed consumer proposal monthly payment vs. potential variable surplus income bankruptcy payment

In order to resolve the financial issues, you and your creditors need to agree to a proposed amount with a consumer proposal, hence the name of the program. This is a monthly amount that you need to pay consistently, but it stays the same for as long as the proposal is in effect. With bankruptcy, however, monthly payments may vary based on the amount of money that you make. The more that you regularly earn, the more you need to pay per month.

  1. Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario: Surrendering of your assets in a bankruptcy

With a consumer proposal, you do not need to surrender your assets. With bankruptcy, however, with only certain minor exceptions, you will have to surrender your assets to your licensed insolvency trustee. The Trustee sells them and will use the money to pay for the cost of administration. The Trustee might also pay a dividend to your unsecured creditors.

  1. Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario: Credit rating

With a consumer proposal, your credit rating will receive an R7. This indicates you have undergone such an agreement. It will remain for up to 3 years after paying off your loans. With bankruptcy, you earn an R9 rating. That is the worst that you can have. It can stay on your report for a period of 7 years.

  1. Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario: Debts from an addiction

The Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, are very concerned about debts that have arisen as a result of addiction. The Licensed Insolvency Trustee must ask questions to decide if any debts have arisen as a result of addiction.

Once so determined, in a bankruptcy, the licensed insolvency trustee must oppose the bankrupt’s discharge. In order to hope to get an absolute discharge from the Court, the bankrupt will have to go into a rehabilitation program. They will need to prove they have completed a recognized program and continue to seek help. The person will also need to show they are no longer spending money on such addiction.

These are all good things for the total rehabilitation of the individual. It differs from the treatment under a consumer proposal. The licensed insolvency trustee will still want to make sure that the individual is seeking help for their addiction. If you complete your consumer proposal payments there will never be a bankruptcy. Your consumer proposal is successfully completed. You also avoid the onerous issues of discharge from bankruptcy. The treatment of gambling and consumer proposals Ontario as compared to bankruptcy is huge for the individual.

Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario
Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario

Gambling and Consumer Proposals Ontario: Are you suffering from too much debt?

If you are an individual or company who needs to free themselves from the stress and strain of too much debt, and especially if you have been told your situation is hopeless because of an addiction, Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. can prepare and carry out the plan made just for you, to free you from the burden of your financial challenges to go on to live a productive, stress-free, financially sound life.

If you’re experiencing serious debt issues for any reason, contact a professional trustee for a free, no-obligation consultation. The Ira Smith Team does not try to write new insolvency laws or tax laws. Rather, we will evaluate your situation within the existing statutes, and help you to arrive at the best possible solution for your problems, whether that solution is a bankruptcy alternative like credit counselling, debt consolidation or a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. Starting Over, Starting Now you can be debt-free with the help of a professional, licensed insolvency trustee. Contact us today.

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#VIDEO: DOES SURPLUS INCOME IN BANKRUPTCY SOMETIMES MAKE YOU FEEL STUPID?#

If you don’t know what surplus income in bankruptcy is don’t feel that you aren’t as smart as the next person because most people don’t know what it means or how it is even possible. We hope this short video will explain things easier for you.

We have previously written about surplus income in bankruptcy in our blogs:

On the list of items that generally seems to be difficult for many individuals to understand is how there can be surplus income in bankruptcy. The reason for the confusion is because it has nothing to do with the normal usage of the word “surplus”, being “more than what is needed or used; excess”.

What is surplus income in bankruptcy?

Within a personal bankruptcy, the context is a measure of what a bankrupt has to pay to the Trustee month-to-month. It is one of the aims of the Canadian bankruptcy system to balance the discharge of one’s personal debt with the expectation of the creditors that they should be paid.

To allow Canadians to keep a basic standard of living during the personal bankruptcy procedure, the government features collection thresholds on income (after income tax as well as certain deductions) meant to enable the bankrupt to keep a basic standard of living while contributing an amount to the Trustee for the benefit of his or her creditors.

Exactly how is the surplus income in bankruptcy payment determined?

The surplus income payment is determined according to a prescribed surplus income calculation mandated by the federal government, without any distinction for the area somebody lives in. To learn exactly what your surplus income in bankruptcy obligation would be, if any, you need to speak to a Trustee.

Surplus income in bankruptcy thresholds are structured based on national “poverty line” stats and the thresholds are set regardless of what part of the country or city that you live in. Surplus income in bankruptcy has nothing to do with what you have left over in funds every month. It is a federal solution which takes your monthly after-tax wages or salary, allows for a specific number of non-discretionary expenses, and takes into account your family size. Your Trustee then inputs this information into the government mandated formula, to calculate your surplus income in bankruptcy obligation.

If you have too much debt, contact us

If you are an individual or company who needs to free themselves from the stress and strain of too much debt, and especially if you have been told your situation is hopeless, Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. can prepare and carry out the plan made just for you, to free you from the burden of your financial challenges to go on to live a productive, stress-free, financially sound life.

If you’re experiencing serious debt issues with the CRA, or for any reason, contact a professional trustee for a free, no obligation consultation. The Ira Smith Team does not try to write new insolvency law or tax law. Rather, we will evaluate your situation within the existing statutes, and help you to arrive at the best possible solution for your problems, whether that solution is a bankruptcy alternative like credit counselling, debt consolidation or a consumer proposal. Starting Over, Starting Now you can be debt free with the help of a professional, licensed trustee in bankruptcy. Contact us today.

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# VIDEO – DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONSUMER PROPOSAL AND BANKRUPTCY: LIST OF 5 DIFFERENCES TO KNOW ABOUT #

Difference between consumer proposal and bankruptcy

This short video explains the difference between a consumer proposal and bankruptcy. A consumer proposal is a deal to end your debts. A consumer proposal is a legally binding process that is administered by a licensed trustee.

5 things that make the difference between consumer proposal and bankruptcy

  1. In a bankruptcy, if your income goes up, the amount you have to pay to your Trustee may very well go up. In a consumer proposal, your payment is fixed.
  2. In a bankruptcy, you will lose your income tax refund, contributions to your RRSP in the last 12 months, RESP for your children and other assets. In a consumer proposal that is accepted by your creditors, you get to keep your assets.
  3. There is less reporting in a consumer proposal. You do not have to show proof of your income every month as long as you are keeping your consumer proposal payments current.
  4. In a bankruptcy, if there is opposition to your discharge from bankruptcy, then you must attend for a Court hearing.There is no Court process at the end of the administration or a discharge hearing in a consumer proposal.
  5. You stay in control of your assets and affairs in a consumer proposal that is accepted by your creditors and that you are performing.

These are the main things that create a difference between consumer proposal and bankruptcy.

If you have too much debt, call us now!

We offer personal bankruptcy and consumer proposal services, as well as corporate restructuring and corporate receivership and bankruptcy services to residents of the Greater Toronto Area. We explain the differences between a consumer proposal vs. personal bankruptcy. In most cases we can get a consumer proposal done and it usually results in a substantial reduction in the amount you have to repay. The amount you are required to pay when you file a consumer proposal depends on a number of factors as explained in this short video.

So now that you know the 5 major items that makes up the difference between consumer proposal and bankruptcy and if you are experiencing financial problems, or you know that you are insolvent and are considering a consumer proposal vs. personal bankruptcy, or looking at all of your realistic options, including all alternatives to bankruptcy, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is a Vaughan (Toronto) bankruptcy trustee and consumer proposal administrator. We offer sound advice, a free consultation and a solid plan for Starting Over, Starting Now so that you’ll be well on your way to a debt free life in no time.

difference between consumer proposal and bankruptcy

 

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#VIDEO – CONSUMER PROPOSAL FAQS: SECRETS FOR FENDING OFF BANKRUPTCY #

Consumer proposal faqs

We have made this video to answer the Consumer Proposal FAQs that we are normally asked. This information will hopefully help you understand better how it can help you clear your debts and AVOID bankruptcy.

In addition to this video, you can also check out other blogs and vlogs we have written on Proposals:

The most asked FAQs

The most asked of the FAQs is – What are the advantages? The main ones are:

  • You keep all of your assets
  • Actions against you by unsecured creditors, such as wage garnishments will be stopped
  • Unlike informal debt settlement, the proposal process is a forum where all of your creditors must deal with your restructuring
  • You don’t have to declare bankruptcy

Too much debt? Get the help you need now!

We hope you enjoy this video about consumer proposal FAQs. Click on this link to find out more. You can also have many of your questions about personal bankruptcy answered by clicking on our Bankruptcy FAQs link.

Instead of going deeper into debt and just putting your head in the sand like an ostrich, heed the advice of your grey divorce support groups and contact us today. Seek the help from a professional trustee, even if you’re not considering bankruptcy at this stage.

A trustee in bankruptcy will evaluate your situation and help you to arrive at the best possible solution for your problems, whether that solution is a bankruptcy alternative like credit counselling, debt consolidation or a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. With immediate action and the right plan, the Ira Smith Team can solve your financial problems Starting Over, Starting Now. We’re just a phone call away.

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ADVANTAGES OF CONSUMER PROPOSALS VIDEO FOR YOU

Introduction

We have written many blogs on the advantages of consumer proposals, including:

We thought it would be good to now put together a short video on the topic.

The best alternative to personal bankruptcy in Canada

Of the various alternatives to bankruptcy, this government approved debt settlement plan is the one option with the most predictable and certain results for the insolvent person in dealing with their debt. You may have heard a proposal being called other names such as consumer credit proposal, debt proposal or debt settlement.

The main difference is that the only formal legal mechanism to be able to stop your creditors from continuing to harass and sue you is with a formal consumer proposal through a licensed trustee in bankruptcy. Unlike the other options, the consumer proposal is codified in the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act which provides the trustee with certain weapons that can be used for your protection.

That is why we say that of all the bankruptcy alternatives, the consumer proposal is the best one. There are many bankruptcy options, but the consumer proposal also allows you to rebuild your credit thereby increasing your credit score.

Keep away from bankruptcy with the advantages of consumer proposals

If you are insolvent and are considering bankruptcy, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. We offer sound advice, will check all of your bankruptcy options with you and then with you, formulate a solid plan for Starting Over, Starting Now so that you’ll be well on your way to a debt-free life in no time.

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CONSUMER PROPOSAL VS DEBT SETTLEMENT

consumer proposal vs debt settlement
consumer proposal vs debt settlement

Consumer proposal vs debt settlement vs. debt settlement companies

If you have serious financial problems, there is an option available to you to avoid debt settlement companies and bankruptcy. In fact, more Canadians are now choosing consumer proposals instead of declaring personal bankruptcy. The purpose of this Brandon’s Blog is to explain the benefit of consumer proposal vs. debt settlement companies.

The advantages of consumer proposals with a Trustee can save you from debt settlement companies. Here’s how. Unlike a trustee in bankruptcy, debt settlement
companies have long been a hot-button issue and as a result, we’ve posted several blogs on the subject:

How successful is consumer proposal vs. debt settlement companies?

One of the advantages of consumer proposals vs. debt settlement companies is a high chance of success. Consumer proposals filed by a trustee have an excellent chance of being accepted by creditors. The consumer proposals our office files have experienced almost 100% acceptance by creditors. We know of other trustees who say their success rate with consumer proposals is in the high 90% range.

According to the Canadian Bankers Association, only 10% of offers received from debt settlement companies are accepted and it’s estimated that only 3% are successfully completed. As you can see, consumer proposals vs. debt settlement win hands down!

Advantages of using a licensed trustee in a consumer proposal vs debt settlement company

The reason for the advantages of consumer proposals is because a licensed trustee understands the behaviour of your creditors, is obligated to check all options with you and explain why a consumer proposal is a better option than other ones available, including personal bankruptcy. A trustee can recommend you properly on how to reach a mutually satisfactory compromise on your debt that you can actually complete it successfully, taking your family income and situation into consideration.

If you are considering consumer proposal vs. debt settlement companies

The advantages of consumer proposal vs. debt settlement companies are simple; a trained, educated, licensed financial services professional delivers results. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. for sound, professional advice and a solid financial plan for Starting Over, Starting Now.

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▓ VIDEO: CONSUMER PROPOSAL VS. PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY ▓

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This short video (found at the bottom of this page) explains the differences between a consumer proposal vs. personal bankruptcy. A consumer proposal is a deal to end your debts. A consumer proposal is a legally binding process that is administered by a licensed trustee. Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is a Toronto bankruptcy trustee and consumer proposal administrator.

We have written previous blogs about consumer proposals, including:

We offer personal bankruptcy and consumer proposal services, as well as corporate restructuring and corporate receivership and bankruptcy services to residents of the Greater Toronto Area. We explain the differences between a consumer proposal vs. personal bankruptcy. In most cases we can get a consumer proposal done and it usually results in a substantial reduction in the amount you have to repay. The amount you are required to pay when you file a consumer proposal depends on a number of factors as explained in this short video. We hope that you find the short video informative and interesting. If you have any topics about debt, insolvency or finances that you would like us to cover in future videos, please let us know by leaving a comment.

If you are experiencing financial problems, or you know that you are insolvent and are considering a consumer proposal vs. personal bankruptcy, or looking at all of your realistic options, including all alternatives to bankruptcy, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. We offer sound advice, a free consultation and a solid plan for Starting Over, Starting Now so that you’ll be well on your way to a debt free life in no time.

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ECONOMIC DOWNTURN CAUSES MORE PEOPLE TO CONSIDER BANKRUPTCY OR PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY ALTERNATIVES

bankruptcy, alternative to bankruptcy, personal bankruptcy alternatives, alternatives to personal bankruptcy, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act , BIA, bankruptcy solutions, lines of credit, credit card debt, credit counselling, debt consolidation, consumer proposals, budget, student loan debt, trustee, economic downturn, starting over starting now, information about bankruptcy, Toronto bankruptcy trusteeWhen do people generally want information about personal bankruptcy alternatives?

Personal bankruptcy alternatives are always sought after an economic downturn. The economic downturn is causing more people to rely on credit to supplement their income and/or their lifestyle. This mountain of debt will ultimately result in bankruptcy or hopefully, an alternative to bankruptcy.

What Bank of Montreal and Statistics Canada say about Canadian household debt

In BMO’s Annual Debt Report, the average household debt of those surveyed is $92,699, more than $4,000 higher than the four-year average dating back to 2012. And servicing that debt, which includes mortgages, lines of credit and credit card debt, is costing $1,165 a month.

According to Statistics Canada:

  • The debt-to-income ratio of Canadian households is 163.3% which means for every dollar Canadians earn, they owe $1.63 in debt
  • Canadian households now owe $1.841 trillion in various forms of debt
  • More than $1.1 trillion is from mortgages
  • $519 billion is consumer debt, like credit cards

Debt + More Debt = a Solution?

Adding debt to more debt is not a solution to the problem; it compounds the problem. If you are using credit cards to supplement your income or your lifestyle, you have a serious problem that needs professional help. Don’t wait until bankruptcy is your only option. You should be learning about personal bankruptcy alternatives before it is too late.

Is there such a thing as bankruptcy solutions?

We are asked this question all the time. Before even considering bankruptcy, I always want to discuss 3 formal alternatives to personal bankruptcy:

  1. Credit Counselling
    Credit counselling is in reality debt counselling. Professionals provide assistance with a host of issues related to debt including budgeting, finding debt solutions, working with your creditors and rebuilding credit.
  2. Debt Consolidation
    Debt consolidation is a single loan that allows you to repay your debts to several or all of your creditors at once, leaving you with only one outstanding loan.
  3. Consumer Proposals
    Consumer proposals are formal offers made to your creditors under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) to modify your payments. e.g. paying a lesser amount each month for a longer period of time and paying a total lesser amount than you owe, all on an interest-free basis!

In addition there are informal personal bankruptcy alternatives including budget review, contacting your creditors (including your mortgage lender), selling an asset and contacting the Federal Government’s Repayment Assistance Plan (if you’re having difficulty repaying your student loan debt).

Just ask your Toronto bankruptcy trustee

A professional trustee can open up a world of possibilities for you. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. for help with your financial problems. With just one phone call you can be well on your way to a debt free life Starting Over, Starting Now.

 

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DAVID CASSIDY PARTRIDGE FAMILY TOUR BETTER START SOON

David Cassidy
David Cassidy

What happened to David Cassidy?


This YouTube David Cassidy video says it all. His bankruptcy, notwithstanding he refutes it, must be related in some small part to his alcoholism and the several David Cassidy DUI events. The US Bankruptcy Court has ordered that he now must have his Florida home sold by auction.

For those of you too young to remember him, here is the link to the David Cassidy bio. As you can see, he was a huge music and television star heartthrob. Whatever happened to him over the years, David Cassidy now must pull his life back together. Like all of us, he must learn to live within his means and budget properly. Mr. Cassidy certainly isn’t the first, and won’t be the last celebrity having financial problems.

Next Steps

So who knows? Maybe Mr. Cassidy will have to go back on tour with a Partridge Family revival tour, or at least a David Cassidy tour, to earn extra income! Like all of us, he will have to learn to live within his means. Dealing with his personal problems will also be a great new beginning for him.

And what if you were not famous but are struggling?

If you’re struggling to support a lifestyle you can no longer afford, take immediate action and contact a professional trustee and explore your alternatives to bankruptcy. There are alternatives to personal bankruptcy – credit counselling, debt consolidation and consumer proposals. However, regardless of the choice that’s right for you, a balanced budget is always part of the equation. As we’ve stressed before, a balanced budget is to financial health what a balanced diet is to physical health. You’ll have to take a realistic look at your lifestyle and a serious look at your big ticket items – luxury home(s), exotic vacations, luxury cars, designer clothes and expensive entertaining and start living within your budget in order to benefit from one of the alternatives to bankruptcy .

The Ira Smith team approaches every file with the attitude that corporate or personal financial problems can be solved given immediate action and the right plan. Contact us today and Starting Over, Starting Now you can be on the path to a debt free life.

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ALTERNATIVES TO BANKRUPTCY IF YOUR INCOME DECLINES SUBSTANTIALLY

alternatives to bankruptcy, bankruptcy, trustee, alternatives to personal bankruptcy, credit counselling, debt consolidation, consumer proposals, budget, balanced budget, financial, insolvency, personal insolvency, starting over starting nowAlternatives to bankruptcy

Our insolvency clients, be they personal or corporate, usually want to start a consultation by asking us bankruptcy questions. However, I first start by obtaining a full understanding of the person’s or company’s financial challenges, so that we may consider all of the realistic options before discussing the topic of bankruptcy. I first wish to find the best alternative to bankruptcy.

I am finding now that many families, even high earners, are struggling in the “new economy”. We’ve spoken about their plight in our blogs:

There is yet another group that is now in great danger of bankruptcy – families whose previously very healthy income has taken a serious downturn and are now struggling to maintain a lifestyle they can no longer support. These families need to act fast and consider their alternatives to bankruptcy before it is too late to take remedial action. The natural inclination is to tough it out and hope for better times, but serious financial times demand serious financial decisions, not a hope and a prayer. As these families wait for better times to come they are burning through whatever savings they have, going further into debt by living off credit and will eventually run out of both money and credit.

This is not the best approach. At the first sign of financial trouble, these families should seek the advice of their legal counsel or accountant. These trusted professionals will be able to refer the families in financial trouble to a trustee in bankruptcy that they trust. With the trust factor bridge now in place with the trustee, that trustee can review the situation and provide the families with their realistic alternatives to bankruptcy.

If you’re struggling to support a lifestyle you can no longer afford, take immediate action and contact a professional trustee and explore your alternatives to bankruptcy. There are alternatives to personal bankruptcy – credit counselling, debt consolidation and consumer proposals. However, regardless of the choice that’s right for you, a balanced budget is always part of the equation. As we’ve stressed before, a balanced budget is to financial health what a balanced diet is to physical health. You’ll have to take a realistic look at your lifestyle and a serious look at your big ticket items – luxury home(s), exotic vacations, luxury cars, designer clothes and expensive entertaining and start living within your budget in order to benefit from one of the alternatives to bankruptcy .

The Ira Smith team approaches every file with the attitude that corporate or personal financial problems can be solved given immediate action and the right plan. Contact us today and Starting Over, Starting Now you can be on the path to a debt free life.

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