Categories
Brandon Blog Post

CANADIAN RECEIVERSHIPS: SECURED CREDITOR’S CHALLENGE TO BLOCK APPROVED BUYER TOO LATE TO THE PARTY

Receiverships introduction

Step into this week’s edition of Brandon’s Blog! Our topic this week explains the complicated landscape of Canadian receiverships. Our journey into a world where secured lenders sometimes grapple with their unhappiness with a receiver’s recommendation for a certain court-sanctioned buyer, wanting to buy the holdings of an insolvent enterprise.

Simplifying your journey, I shall use a recent, tangible case study to unveil how secured creditors can endeavour to wield influence in court-supervised receiverships. I will deconstruct the technical terms and explain every nuance in a manner that you will easily understand.

Canadian receiverships are a pursuit of balance, entwined with the rightful entitlements of secured creditors through the prism of procedural clarity and the scales of impartiality, as demanded by the court in the realm of Canadian receiverships.

Understanding Canadian receiverships and approved buyers

Within the legal landscape of Canada encompassing matters of commercial contention, there is the intricate notion of receivership. This process entails the designation of one of the two types of receivers; either a privately-appointed receiver or a court-appointed receiver. A receiver is vested with the authority to assume dominion over a business’s array of assets and properties. This authority arises from situations of monetary default on their secured loans.

It is prudent to retain awareness that the role of a receiver can only be filled by a licensed trustee for assuming the mantle of a receiver within the confines of Canada’s legal expanse.

The fulcrum upon which the inception of the receivership mechanism pivots is usually the inability of secured creditors to recoup their financial outlay from a debtor, who in turn is incapacitated in discharging its pecuniary obligations.

The receiver becomes vested with the possession and control of the assets, affects their liquidation, and subsequently allocates the ensuing sale proceeds among the cadre of creditors within the hierarchy delineated by the legal ladder of priority of claims.

As an instrumental constituent of the commercial legal architecture in Canada, the receivership process endeavours to safeguard the vested interests of both creditors and debtors. It offers creditors the avenue to recoup either the entirety or a portion of their outstanding amounts due.

Concurrently, beleaguered commercial entities are afforded the prospect of either orchestrating a financial reconfiguration that extricates them from the quagmire of their fiscal problems or alternatively, facilitating the divestiture of assets with the aspiration of facilitating the uninterrupted continuity of the business, but under new ownership. It, therefore, emerges as an indispensable instrument within the gamut of the Canadian legal paradigm, upholding the equilibrium of economic constancy.

Who is an approved buyer in the context of a receivership sale?

In the detailed context of a receivership sale, an approved buyer describes an individual or entity that has effectively met the specific requirements stated by the designated receiver. These standards encompass a variety of variables, including financial disclosure, a shown understanding of the sale’s terms and conditions, and the tried and tested capacity to finalize the purchase quickly. Usually, the recognition of an approved buyer takes place within a defined bidding procedure, in which potential purchasers compete to meet these developed requirements.

Once identified, an approved buyer ends up being subject to the terms and terms laid out within the sale arrangement. It is the receiver’s responsibility to ensure that the sale is carried out with a commitment to fairness and transparency. This consists of the duty to pick an approved buyer who not only has the capacity to efficiently wrap up the transaction but also has the ability to enhance the overall value of the assets that are being sold.

The fiduciary responsibility of the receiver is paramount throughout this process. The receiver is obliged to act in the very best interests of all parties, which encompasses lenders and other stakeholders. For that reason, the receiver’s duty surpasses the simple identification of an approved buyer; it includes securing the integrity of the sale, guaranteeing fairness for all parties, and ultimately maximizing the value that can stem from the assets being sold within the context of the receivership.

Image depicting a dramatic clash between a gavel symbolizing secured creditors' rights and a fading corporate logo, representing distressed companies. A ticking clock and courthouse backdrop emphasize urgency and legal battles in Canadian receiverships.
receiverships

The role of secured creditors and their rights in receiverships

In the world of Canadian receiverships, secured creditors play an essential function in identifying the destiny of troubled companies. Recognizing their rights is essential in going through this complex landscape. Secured creditors have the legal authority to take enforcement proceedings against the assets covered by their security and have a higher priority in payment contrasted to unsecured creditors. They can either privately appoint or apply to the court for the appointment of a receiver.

The court-appointed receiver acts as a neutral party in charge of taking care of and selling the assets. The secured lenders have the right to challenge court-approved buyers if they think the receivership sale process is unfair or if they have a better deal. Nonetheless, safeguarding their legal rights within receiverships calls for a detailed understanding of the legal complexities and efficient timing associated with receiverships.

A secured creditor plays a crucial duty in the sale process. As the main financial stakeholder given their claim against the secured assets, the secured creditor has a vested interest in the end result of the sale procedure. The court-appointed sale procedure includes the marketing and sale of the debtor’s assets and properties, which inevitably establishes the amount of funds that will be available to pay over against the secured debt.

For that reason, the secured lender has a significant interest in guaranteeing that the sale procedure is conducted in a way that optimizes the recuperation of funds. The secured creditor’s beneficial interest in the sale procedure is shown in their capability to approve or reject the sale of assets in a private appointment and carries a level of weight with the court for a court-approved sale. This power allows them to protect their economic interests and ensure the very best feasible result from the sale process.

The timelines and stages of a receivership sale: The role of the approved buyer in Canadian receiverships

In Canadian receiverships, the role of the approved buyer is essential to the successful outcome of a receivership. In a court-appointed receivership, approved buyers are court-approved purchasers who typically offer the highest and most beneficial bid for the debtor company’s assets. They play a crucial role in maximizing the value of the distressed company and ensuring the best outcome for all parties involved. Their timely participation in the receivership process is instrumental in achieving sale finality and ultimately shaping the fate of the distressed entity.

In the world of Canadian receiverships, the involvement of court-approved buyers functions as a cornerstone in supporting an equitable and clear process. This essential process makes certain that every interested party has the possibility to take part in the bidding process for the assets being sold. The result of this bidding process finishes with the choice of the best overall bidder. This mechanism of operation is rooted in concepts of justness, striving to eliminate any type of unnecessary benefit that a solitary party might have over others.

When a company is placed into receivership, the assigned receiver assumes command over the assets as well as operational elements of the business. The purpose behind the orchestration of a receivership sale revolves around the liquidation of the firm’s holdings to get them out of the insolvent troubled company and into the hands of a buyer who can maximize their value. The timing and stages integral within receiverships have a level of fluidity depending upon the intricacy and complexity of the business’s operations and assets.

Generally, the receiver’s starting point is the meticulous groundwork and strategy in setting up the sale procedure. Typically, the initial stage involves the preparation and marketing of the sale of the assets. This is followed by the negotiation and acceptance of offers from interested parties. In court-appointed receiverships, once an offer is accepted, the sale is subject to court approval and then the transfer of ownership is completed.

As this complex process unravels, the receiver must follow rigid lawful as well as regulatory requirements, thereby promoting an environment of impartiality and transparency that emphasizes a fair sale process. In its totality, the underlying purpose of a receivership sale opens up as the optimization of the company’s asset values, a pursuit carried out in the service of all stakeholders’ well-being.

Image depicting a dramatic clash between a gavel symbolizing secured creditors' rights and a fading corporate logo, representing distressed companies. A ticking clock and courthouse backdrop emphasize urgency and legal battles in Canadian receiverships.
receiverships

When is it too late for a secured creditor to challenge an approved buyer in Canadian receiverships?

Within the intricate realm of Canadian receiverships, those holding the mantle of secured creditors find themselves navigating through a myriad of intricate challenges, especially when confronted with the task of contesting a buyer approved by the court. The genesis of these challenges emerges from the imperative to harmonize the rights of stakeholders with the irrevocability of a sale.

Timing emerges as an eminent concern for any actions by creditors, as secured creditors must expeditiously interpose to thwart the endorsement of an approved buyer. Such a stance necessitates astute contemplation encompassing not only the exigencies of insolvency statutes but also the jurisprudential lineage of past cases, in tandem with an astute assimilation of the considerations that judiciaries deliberate upon while adjudging the legitimacy of an opposition. The effective surmounting of these multifaceted impediments serves as the crucible through which a secured creditor’s sway attains its zenith, eventually moulding the denouement of an entity’s restructuring endeavour.

In Canadian receiverships, it is very important for secured creditors to understand when it is far too late to challenge an accepted buyer. A secured creditor has the status of a major stakeholder to object to the sale of property by a receiver. However, this objection needs to be made within an appropriate timespan. Normally this would be on the receiver’s motion to approve a specific buyer under an agreement of purchase and sale to buy the company’s assets in receivership.

If the creditor stays silent at the hearing, after being served with the receiver’s motion record, or worse, consents to the relief the receiver is requesting, it will be near impossible to change the outcome. Also, if the secured creditor waits too long to appeal the court’s decision on the approval of the buyer, it may be too late to overturn the accepted buyer.

The courts normally take into consideration variables such as the timing of the objection, the factors for the opposition, as well as whether the creditor had knowledge of the receiver’s motion recommending the sale. Therefore, it is essential for secured creditors to act without delay as well as seek legal advice in receiverships to ensure their rights are preserved and protected.

The Role of Investment and Due Diligence by Approved Buyers in Canadian receiverships

When potential investors turn their gaze toward the prospects of allocating resources in assets emanating from Canadian receiverships, a paramount imperative takes center stage—none other than the meticulous practice of due diligence. Embarking on this voyage entails a profound plunge into the annals of financials, operational intricacies, assets, and liabilities of pivotal suppliers—a linchpin to the enterprise’s continuity. Moreover, a comprehensive appraisal of the corporate entity’s visage within the tapestry of market conditions unfurls before them—an intricate matrix to fathom.

This immersive exploration fosters an enriched cognizance of the assets that conflate to shape the enterprise’s essence and the latent perils entwined. Concurrently, an assessment of the enterprise’s fiscal robustness commences, bifurcating between the financial vitality of the business itself and the overarching corporate infrastructure. This evaluation, ranging from debt metrics and asset portfolios to revenue inflows and the embryonic promise of future profitability, unfurls a tapestry conducive to ascertaining a judicious valuation, commensurate with inherent realities.

The compass of scrutiny extends further to encompass the realm of legality and regulation—a vista often overlooked yet of paramount significance. Engaging in a bout of legal due diligence emerges as the prudent course, an endeavour aimed at unearthing dormant legal quandaries or impending obligations that might cast a pall over operational congruence or intrinsic valuation.

As the due diligence crescendo navigates onward, an avenue laden with promise unfurls—plummeting into the corridors of potential betterment and restructuring, the twin gateways to magnifying operational yield. This orchestration, calibrated to fortify profitability, occupies a pivotal niche within the mosaic of considerations.

In the vanguard of this multifaceted expedition looms the bastion of market research—an indispensable edifice buttressed by industry ebbs and flows, the throes of competitive dynamics, and the overarching symphony of market demand. The synthesis of these nuanced factors culminates in an orchestration of knowledge that infuses sagacity into investment choices, ensuring an informed voyage into the tapestry of Canadian receiverships.

Within the realms of court-overseen receiverships in the Canadian context, the focal point unfailingly revolves around the paramount virtue of transparency. The bedrock of establishing confidence and credibility in the transaction resides in a meticulous and exhaustive due diligence endeavour. This endeavour, in its multifaceted essence, serves the dual purpose of ensuring equitability in pricing, commensurate with the genuine valuation of the assets on offer—an aspect that assumes cardinal significance for all stakeholders vested in the proceedings.

Furthermore, the inclusion of endorsed purchasers injects a paradigm of impartiality and impartiality into the entire procedural tapestry. Let us not be remiss in accounting for the aspect of legal conformity—a facet woven intricately into the fabric of this process. Said purchasers are vested with the task of scrutinizing potential legal conundrums, thereby preempting any semblance of post-sale imbroglio. An additional boon surfaces in the form of expedited procedural swiftness—a byproduct of the exhaustive due diligence undertaken.

Essentially, the realm of Canadian court-supervised receiverships beckons our attention to several pivotal considerations. First, and foremost, lies the meticulous endeavour undertaken by prospective buyers, involving an intricate choreography of research and analysis preceding their bids. This diligent preliminary inquiry manifests as a testament to their authenticity and competence, encapsulating an acute grasp of their enterprise. This facet’s significance stems from the heightened assurance it instills across the spectrum of participants, nurturing faith in their aptitude to consummate the transaction while adroitly managing the assets set to come under their aegis.

Segueing onwards, the confluence of comprehensive insights gleaned through rigorous due diligence serves as a compass directing prospective purchasers toward sagacious choices. These choices burgeon from the assimilation of manifold data points, sculpting a strategy to mitigate perils and optimize trajectories—calibrating the optimal approach for the assets earmarked for takeover. Additionally, negotiations unfurl as a canvas, where a nuanced comprehension of the distressed entity’s predicament acts as the brushstroke guiding buyers toward terms consonant with their aspirations. Simultaneously, the custodian of the proceedings—embodied by the receiver—meticulously orchestrates a harmonious equilibrium, ensuring equity persists as a recurring motif, safeguarding the interests of all implicated parties.

Collectively, the crux of the matter revolves around sanctioned buyers channelling their energies into a judicious exploration, culminating in a discerning investment stance. This virtuous circle of scrutiny and prudence furnishes a bastion of probity, where parity prevails and stakeholders’ interests find refuge within the tapestry of these exigent corporate circumstances. The intricate interplay of variables emboldens distressed entities’ myriad stakeholders, engendering optimism for recuperation within the contours of an intricate, multifaceted milieu.

Image depicting a dramatic clash between a gavel symbolizing secured creditors' rights and a fading corporate logo, representing distressed companies. A ticking clock and courthouse backdrop emphasize urgency and legal battles in Canadian receiverships.
receiverships

In the detailed tapestry of Canadian receiverships, the dissection of legal criterion and court decisions emerges as an essential core, important for the understanding of the detailed inflections that accompany the decisions of secured creditors in their search to overturn the approval of a purchaser. This case study, being a current decision of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, offers a fascinating look at the factors the appellate court takes into consideration when a secured creditor attempts to overturn a lower court decision on an accepted buyer and the approval of their offer to purchase assets from receiverships.

Scrutiny of cases bestows enlightenment rich with insights and strategies, unfurling before practitioners an intricate bouquet of knowledge encapsulating the symphony between legal principles and commercial actualities. Within this continuum, the equilibrium between safeguarding the prerogatives of creditors and the unalterable finality of an economic transaction assumes a role of pivotal prominence. By charting the trajectory of these paradigms, individuals of the legal craft glean invaluable insights that serve as compasses guiding their navigation within the intricate choreography of corporate metamorphosis.

The decision of the Court of Appeal for Ontario on August 21, 2023, I wish to discuss is Rose-Isli Corp. v. Smith, 2023 ONCA 548 (CanLII). It was on appeal from the order of The Honourable Madam Justice Kimmel of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, dated February 2, 2023.

Overview of the case

Certain parties, including a secured creditor, appealed the authorization and vesting order released by the lower court judge that appointed the receiver and approved the sales process to be used to sell the property in receivership, in addition to a relevant ancillary order.

The appellants had actually initially sought the appointment of the receiver over the property. One of the applicants, 2735440 Ontario Inc. (“273 Ontario”), held a second mortgage on the real property. The order appointing the receiver contemplated 273 Ontario would certainly participate in a sales process for the property. The receiver received court authorization for a sales procedure, performed that approved sales process, and then sought court approval of the recommended bid.

When the receiver came to court for approval of the buyer and the sales agreement, the appellants opposed the proposed sale and, rather, looked for an order that 273 Ontario could pay out the first mortgage or, be acknowledged as a successful creditor bidder. The court approved the receiver’s recommendations of who the buyer should be and approved the sale as well as dismissing the applicants’ cross‑motion to redeem the 1st mortgage. The appellants submitted that the motions judge made an error by issuing the order that she did.

At the time of the issuance of the appointment order, the judge who issued the appointment order described the lay of the land at the time the applicants asked for the appointment of a receiver. That judge said that the relationship between and amongst the parties had irrevocably broken down. The evidence for that was the receivership application itself. That judge kept in mind that one way or the other, all stakeholders that day agreed that the Rosehill condo real estate project should be sold and that the sale process needed to be done by a court-appointed officer.

The appellants proclaimed that the lower court judge had made an error in not allowing the appellant’s cross-motion. They submitted that as the second mortgagee, they held the right to redeem the first mortgage at any conceivable juncture, even in the face of the implementation of a carefully run court-sanctioned sales procedure and the request for the approval of a sale to the approved buyer.

The appellate court analysis

273 Ontario, as one of the applicants seeking the appointment of a receiver, extended their consent to the issuance of the Appointment Order. Paragraph 9 of the Appointment Order made it clear that the entitlement of any kind of encumbrancer to effectuate the redemption of a mortgage pertaining to the property was now trapped under the jurisdiction of the appointed receiver.

Within that section was the affirmation that all privileges as well as remedies against the project or its assets or the receiver, or that impact the property, are currently kept in abeyance and suspended, unless the receiver concurred with the proposed action, in writing, or if the court made such an order.

The appellate court found that the motions judge deliberately acknowledged that the subject for adjudication did not orbit around whether 273 Ontario had a legitimate claim for redemption, yet instead, she focused on the much more practical query as to whether 273 Ontario ought to be given the authority to implement that preserved benefit once the process of court-sanctioned sales process had been carried out and the receiver coming to court seeking the approval of the sale of assets under that process. After all, the sales process carried out by the receiver followed the Appointment Order requested by the applicants, which included 273 Ontario.

The Court of Appeal found this to be an astute reframing of the concern and made certain that the heart of the matter was aptly described: (i) the appellants had requested for the appointment of the receiver; (ii) the receiver, in accordance with the approval of the court, had undertaken a methodical sales procedure; and (iii) most importantly, the period of the Receiver had yet to be discharged.

Therefore, the vital scope of 273 Ontario’s ability to obtain court authority to redeem the 1st mortgage was undoubtedly coloured by the plain reality that the property stayed within continuous control under an active receivership. The court supervising the receivership and the sales process status was beyond the redemption rights of the 2nd mortgagee.

The Court of Appeal for Ontario said that, when confronted with the petition of an encumbrancer looking to redeem a mortgage on a property in receivership, the court has to meticulously ponder upon the far-reaching repercussions that might unfurl should the encumbrancer be allowed to exercise its right of redemption.

This philosophy extends to incorporate any kind of and all stakeholders who have purposes of disrupting a court-sanctioned sale process, that has been properly performed by the receiver, all while bearing in mind the prospective purchaser who followed all the rules and waits to complete the acquisition. This principle is not restricted only to a mortgage redemption; it is a guiding beacon for any kind of stakeholder who attempts to disrupt a properly performed court-approved sales process.

The Court of Appeal for Ontario said that the following principles must be adhered to:

  • Usually, if a court-approved sales process has been carried out in a manner consistent with the principles set out in Royal Bank of Canada v. Soundair Corp., (1991), 1991 CanLII 2727 (ON CA), 4 O.R. (3d) 1 (C.A.), a court should not allow a subsequent endeavour to redeem to disrupt the consummation of the properly carried out sales process. From its perspective, the appellate court stated the rationale behind the Soundair principles applies in scenarios wherein an encumbrancer aspires to redeem a mortgage. Once the judicial machinery has been set in motion to oversee the sale of assets controlled within the confines of a receivership, that process must be allowed to play out. The court’s supervision of receiverships will give due regard to the intricate web of economic interests intertwined with the assets under the receiver’s control. In court-supervised receiverships, it is no longer the exclusive purview of a single creditor, but rather the collective interests of all economic stakeholders, that must be considered in this court-supervised process.
  • When addressing this issue, judicial deliberation should embark on a meticulous journey of ensuring balance. The court must delicately weigh the sacrosanct right to redemption against its potential repercussions of blemishing a fair, unbiased and transparent court-sanctioned receivership procedure.
  • A mockery would be made of the practice and procedures relating to receivership sales if redemption were permitted at that stage of the proceedings. A receiver would spend time and money securing an agreement of purchase and sale that was, as is commonplace, subject to Court approval, and for the benefit of all stakeholders, only for there to be a redemption by a mortgagee at the last minute. This could act as a potential chill on securing the best offer and be to the detriment of stakeholders.

The Court of Appeal for Ontario makes its decision

The Court of Appeal held that the appellants repeated the numerous complaints they made in the lower court about the lack of fairness in the sales process. The motions judge canvassed those complaints in considerable detail and found no merit in any of them. Her conclusion that the conduct of the sales process met the Soundair criteria was reasonable and free of palpable and overriding error, anchored as it was in the specific evidence before her.

Finally, the appellate court found no reversible error in the motions judge’s conclusion that the balance favoured protecting the integrity of the sales process over 273 Ontario’s request to redeem. The appeal was denied.

Image depicting a dramatic clash between a gavel symbolizing secured creditors' rights and a fading corporate logo, representing distressed companies. A ticking clock and courthouse backdrop emphasize urgency and legal battles in Canadian receiverships.
receiverships

Factors considered by courts in evaluating the timing of secured creditor’s challenge: Balancing creditor rights and sale finality

In evaluating the timing of a secured creditor’s challenge to block an approved buyer in Canadian receiverships, courts consider several factors. Firstly, they assess whether the creditor had sufficient notice and opportunity to challenge the sale. Timing is crucial, as courts look at whether the challenge was brought promptly and diligently.

Additionally, courts evaluate the potential impact on the sale process, including the harm to other stakeholders and the feasibility of an alternative solution. The creditor’s reasons and supporting evidence for the challenge are also scrutinized. Overall, the courts aim to balance the interests of the creditor with the need for finality and the preservation of the distressed company’s value.

Strategies for secured creditors to maximize influence

Testing a court-approved buyer too late in Canadian receiverships carries substantial prospective repercussions for secured creditors. The timing of these challenges is a vital variable that can considerably influence the outcome.

Leading among the dangers is the prospective loss of the opportunity to challenge the sale. Canadian courts value the finality of sales and receiverships while seeking to maximize the value of distressed company assets. Late legal challenges can interrupt this procedure and may not be viewed positively by the courts.

Secured lenders additionally risk forfeiting the chance to produce better offers or bargain for extra beneficial terms for themselves. Waiting too long to test an approved buyer can limit their capability to draw out the very best offer from the sale.

Additionally, late opposition can stain the integrity of secured creditors in the eyes of the court. This loss of reputation can have long-term consequences, potentially limiting their influence in future restructuring cases.

Secured creditors dealing with the intricate terrain of Canadian court-supervised receiverships, especially when opposing an approved buyer, are without a doubt confronted with an awesome challenge. To obtain the most favourable result for themselves, these creditors can carry out a variety of tactical techniques.

First and foremost, partnership emerges as a potent technique to reach an agreeable outcome. Secured lenders ought to take part in useful discussions with various other stakeholders and also the borrower, cultivating a joined front. This unity can significantly affect the selection of a receiver that understands their interests and intentions.

Moreover, direct engagement with the receiver is essential. By proactively participating in conversations with the receiver, secured creditors can make sure that their concerns and objectives are appropriately taken into consideration throughout the process. This interaction might also entail discovering different avenues, such as finding an approved buyer they support or offering financing to their preferred buyer, which can be advantageous in securing ideal end results.

A focus on detail cannot be underrated. Secured lenders should carefully inspect all essential documentation, leaving no rock unturned. Looking for experienced legal advice is critical to guarantee they are knowledgeable and supported to make sound decisions that will ideally safeguard their interests.

In summary, a mix of calculated planning, efficient interaction, as well as professional support is important for secured creditors seeking to navigate the elaborate landscape of court-supervised receiverships in Canada successfully. By embracing these approaches, they can boost their impact as well as maximize their opportunities to accomplish the most beneficial results.

Image depicting a dramatic clash between a gavel symbolizing secured creditors' rights and a fading corporate logo, representing distressed companies. A ticking clock and courthouse backdrop emphasize urgency and legal battles in Canadian receiverships.
receiverships

Canadian receiverships conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this receiverships Brandon’s Blog where I explored the dynamic realm of Canadian receiverships as secured creditors navigate the race against time to challenge court-approved buyers. The court must weigh the balance between creditor rights and sale finality that shapes the fate of distressed companies.

Individuals and business owners must take proactive measures to address financial difficulties and promptly seek assistance when necessary. It is crucial to recognize that financial stress is a prevalent concern and seeking help is a demonstration of fortitude, rather than vulnerability. Should you encounter challenges in managing your finances and find yourself burdened by stress, do not delay in pursuing aid.

Revenue and cash flow shortages are critical issues facing people, entrepreneurs and their companies and businesses with debt problems that are in financial distress. Are you now worried about just how you or your business are going to survive? Are you worried about what your fiduciary obligations are and not sure if the decisions you are about to make are the correct ones to avoid personal liability? Those concerns are obviously on your mind.

The Ira Smith Team understands these financial health concerns. More significantly, we know the requirements of the business owner or the individual who has way too much financial debt. You are trying to manage these difficult financial problems and you are understandably anxious.

It is not your fault you can’t fix this problem on your own and it does not mean that you are a bad person. The pandemic has thrown everyone a curveball. We have not been trained to deal with this. You have only been taught the old ways. The old ways do not work anymore. The Ira Smith Team uses innovative and cutting-edge methodologies, to adeptly navigate you through the intricacies of your financial challenges, ensuring a resolution to your debt-related predicaments without resorting to the rigours of the bankruptcy process. We can get you debt relief now!

We have helped many entrepreneurs and their insolvent companies who thought that consulting with a Trustee and receiver meant their company would go bankrupt. On the contrary. We helped turn their companies around through financial restructuring.

We look at your whole circumstance and design a strategy that is as distinct as you are. We take the load off of your shoulders as part of the debt settlement strategy we will draft just for you.

The Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. team understands that people facing money problems require a lifeline. That is why we can establish a restructuring procedure for you and end the discomfort you feel.

Call us now for a no-cost consultation. We will listen to the unique issues facing you and provide you with practical and actionable ideas you can implement right away to end the pain points in your life, Starting Over, Starting Now.

Image depicting a dramatic clash between a gavel symbolizing secured creditors' rights and a fading corporate logo, representing distressed companies. A ticking clock and courthouse backdrop emphasize urgency and legal battles in Canadian receiverships.
receivership

Categories
Brandon Blog Post

FROM GRIPPING TAKEOVER TO DISCHARGE: HOW LONG DO RECEIVERSHIPS LAST?

How long do receiverships last in Canada? Introduction

In my September 2021 Brandon’s Blog, THE CANADIAN RECEIVERSHIP EASY BEGINNERS GUIDE, I provided an easy-to-understand guide to understand the receivership process. To summarize, I described that in Canada, a receivership is a legal remedy available to secured creditors to recover outstanding amounts under a secured loan if a company defaults on its loan payments. It may also be used in shareholder disputes to complete a project, liquidate assets, or sell a business.

A court may appoint a receiver to take possession of assets, oversee liquidation proceedings, and distribute the proceeds according to the applicable legal priorities as outlined in Canada’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA). Or, a secured creditor may issue a letter of appointment to the same effect.

It is essential to recognize that receivership and bankruptcy are distinct legal proceedings. Bankruptcy is a formal proceeding, regulated by the BIA, to provide debtors with debt relief when they are financially incapable of paying their unsecured creditors. Conversely, a receivership is a process available to secured creditors to recuperate outstanding debt arising from a secured loan or to address shareholder disputes.

The purpose of this Brandon’s Blog is to answer the question I am often asked: “how long do receiverships last in Canada?”.

how long do receiverships last
how long do receiverships last

How long do receiverships last in Canada? Understanding what receivership is

There are two types of receiverships in Canada: court-appointed receiverships and private receiverships. Court-appointed receivers are appointed by a court to oversee the management and disposition of a debtor’s assets. Private receivers are appointed by secured creditors as part of a loan agreement and the security agreement between the debtor company and the creditor.to manage and sell a business debtor’s assets outside of the court system.

The receiver, regardless if it is a court-appointed receiver or privately appointed receiver, takes control of a company’s assets and business operations to repay outstanding debts to creditors. The receiver’s primary duty is to maximize the value of the assets and distribute the proceeds to the creditors according to their priority ranking. The receiver has the power to sell, manage, or liquidate the assets and may also negotiate with creditors to restructure the company’s debt.

Some key players in a receivership process are:

  • Borrower: The owner of the property who defaults on their loan obligations or faces financial distress.
  • Lender: The secured lender, normally a financial institution, who initiates the receivership action to protect their interest in the property and recover their debt.
  • Receiver: The neutral third party who is a licensed insolvency trustee (formerly called bankruptcy trustees) and is appointed either privately or by the court to take charge of the property and manage it toward a sale or resolution.
  • Court: The judicial authority that grants or denies the receivership request, sets the terms and conditions for the receiver’s appointment and oversees the receivership process.
  • Law firm: The lawyers who are acting for the lender, the borrower and the court-appointed receiver.

The powers and duties of a receiver can vary depending on the nature of the assets or the court order appointing them. Generally, it includes taking control of the assets, managing them in a financially responsible manner, and reporting to the court and parties involved in the dispute.

The duration of receiverships in Canada can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case, but it typically lasts for a few months to over a year.

how long do receiverships last
how long do receiverships last

How long do receiverships last in Canada?

Several factors will affect the duration of receivership in Canada, including:

  • the complexity of the case;
  • the number and nature of the assets involved;
  • the cooperation of the parties involved; and
  • the efficiency of the court system.

Other factors may include the availability of qualified professionals to manage and sell the assets, the level of creditor involvement and negotiation, and the overall economic and market conditions at the time. Ultimately, the length of receivership will depend on the specific circumstances of each case.

Court supervision is the oversight provided by a court in a court-appointed receivership. The purpose of court supervision is to appoint the receiver, to allow for the receiver to obtain the approval of the court to decisions and actions the court-appointed receiver wishes to take, to ensure that the receiver acts in the best interest of all parties involved and follows the court’s orders and to allow a forum for any aggrieved party to bring their dispute to the court for adjudication.

Termination of a receivership occurs when the court is satisfied that the receiver has fulfilled their duties and objectives or when the receiver’s appointment is no longer necessary. The court terminates a receivership by court order after approving the receiver’s final report and accounts.

how long do receiverships last
how long do receiverships last

How long do receiverships last in Canada? Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Navigating receiverships can be a tricky and complex situation. Asking questions like “how long do receiverships last in Canada?” is essential to any company dealing with financial hardship. Here I will cover some of the common FAQs associated with receiverships in Canada, and provide an in-depth look at the timeline of these proceedings. It is essential to have a thorough comprehension of receiverships to successfully manage this situation.

What are the differences between bankruptcy vs. receivership?

Receivership is a process to secure the rights of secured creditors, allowing for the control and eventual sale of the assets of a distressed company. Bankruptcy, on the other hand, is a legal process which allows a company in financial difficulty to reorganize its affairs or liquidate its assets under the guidance of an insolvency trustee – providing a safety net to unsecured creditors.

What happens during a receivership process in Canada?

As part of the receivership process in Canada, a receiver is appointed to handle a company’s assets and activities, facilitating the sale of these to settle the company’s debt to creditors.

How does a receiver sell a business or assets?

To sell a business or assets, a receiver has many options available. A receiver can:

  • advertise the assets for sale by running a tender bid sales process;
  • a tender bid sales process could be stand-alone or could be combined with a stalking horse sales process;
  • the assets could be liquidated through a public auction using the services of an auctioneer;
  • the receiver could hand all the assets over to a liquidator in order to sell the assets in an online auction;
  • in certain circumstances, the receiver may wish to hire a professional business broker experienced in that particular industry or assets the receiver took possession of; or
  • for retail store assets, the receiver may sell the entire package of assets and will then run a retail sale to the public.

Regardless of the process chosen, the receiver’s aim is to market and sell the assets or business and obtain the best price for the assets or business under the circumstances.

How does a creditor apply for receivership in Canada?

Secured lenders can apply for receivership in Canada by filing an application to the court under a federal or provincial statute or enforcing their security rights by appointing a receiver privately through a security instrument by way of an appointment letter. A receivership is a remedy that allows a secured creditor to take control of and sell the debtor’s property and assets to collect their secured debt through a private or court appointment process.

Can a receivership be stopped or avoided?

Receivership can sometimes be stopped or avoided through negotiation with the secured creditor(s), restructuring or refinancing of debts, or by finding alternative sources of funding. However, whether or not it can be stopped or avoided depends on the specific circumstances of each case. The cessation of receivership will not be easy unless the secured creditor is being paid out.

how long do receiverships last
how long do receiverships last

How does a creditor enforce a secured loan in Canada?

In Canada, a creditor can enforce a secured loan by appointing a receiver under a private contract or through the court process. Upon appointment, the receiver will seize and sell the secured assets or the assets set out in the court order to recover the amount owed.

However, before being able to appoint the Receiver, there have to be one or more events of default as described in the loan agreement. Then, the lender must be reasonable in allowing the company borrower to cure the default. If the company in default does not remedy the default(s) and the lender has lost confidence, the lender can then make a written demand on the company to repay the entire loan, plus interest and costs and also serve the necessary statutory form on the defaulting borrower.

The lender must give the borrower a reasonable period of time to repay the secured lender’s debt. Reasonable time will vary depending on the unique circumstances of the situation. In Canada, the minimum amount of time that has to be given is 10 days, unless the borrower acknowledges in writing that they can never repay the debt and is waiving the notice period.

Legal options available to recover outstanding loan payments may include sending demand letters, filing a lawsuit, obtaining a judgment and using collection methods such as wage garnishment or asset seizure.

How long does the bankruptcy process take in Canada?

The timeline of a corporate bankruptcy process depends on the uniqueness and complexity of each individual situation. There is no typical timeline, but, it could be a year or more from the start of the bankruptcy until the licensed insolvency trustee is discharged.

How do I liquidate assets in Canada?

When seeking to divest yourself of some assets you have a plethora of choices – in the case of an asset like real estate, you can list it on the public market. Alternatively, you can try to find the right buyer on your own. Or, if you’d like some professional assistance, enlist the help of a savvy broker or financial adviser.

What are the consequences of not paying off secured loans in Canada?

In Canada, if you don’t pay back a secured loan, the lender may reclaim the collateral you put up, personal property like a car or real property such as a house. Don’t let your possessions be taken away! Be sure to make all loan payments in a timely manner.

how long do receiverships last
how long do receiverships last

How long do receiverships last in Canada? Conclusion

So I hope that you now have a good appreciation for receiverships in Canada including the answer to the question “how long do receiverships last in Canada?”. If your company or business is under financial pressure and your secured creditor is about to demand full repayment of all loans, you need immediate professional advice.

Revenue and cash flow shortages are critical issues facing entrepreneurs and their companies and businesses. Are you now worried about just how you or your business are going to survive? Are you worried about what your fiduciary obligations are and not sure if the decisions you are about to make are the correct ones to avoid personal liability? Those concerns are obviously on your mind. Coming out of the pandemic, we are also now worried about the economic effects of inflation and a potential recession.

The Ira Smith Team understands these concerns. More significantly, we know the requirements of the business owner or the individual that has way too much financial debt. You are trying to manage these difficult financial problems and you are understandably anxious.

It is not your fault you can’t fix this problem on your own. The pandemic has thrown everyone a curveball. We have not been trained to deal with this. You have only been taught the old ways. The old ways do not work anymore. The Ira Smith Team makes use of new contemporary ways to get you out of your debt problems while avoiding bankruptcy. We can get you debt relief now.

We have helped many entrepreneurs and their insolvent companies who thought that consulting with a trustee and receiver meant their company would go bankrupt. On the contrary. We helped turn their companies around through financial restructuring.

We look at your whole circumstance and design a strategy that is as distinct as you are. We take the load off of your shoulders as part of the debt settlement strategy we will draft just for you.

The Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. team understands that people facing money problems require a lifeline. That is why we can establish a restructuring procedure for you and end the discomfort you feel.

Call us now for a no-cost consultation. We will listen to the unique issues facing you and provide you with practical and actionable ideas you can implement right away to end the pain points in your life, Starting Over, Starting Now.

how long do receiverships last
how long do receiverships last
Categories
Brandon Blog Post

RECEIVERSHIP IN CANADA: THE COMPLETE STORY OF WHOSE HAPPY RECEIVER IS IT ANYWAY?

Receivership in Canada: What does receivership mean?

I have just read a decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice Commerical List dealing with an important aspect of receivership in Canada. The case is concerned with what happens when two equally applicable provincial laws appear to be working at cross purposes in the context of the receivership in Canada process.

I will explain the case and the process of company receivership in Canada. By understanding the process, the case will make more sense.

Secured lenders may enforce their security to recover loans from borrowers who have defaulted. This remedy available to secured creditors when a borrower, usually a company defaults, is known as receivership.

What does going into receivership in Canada mean?

A receivership is a legal process available to secured creditors, whereby a company’s affairs, business and property are entrusted to a receiver to manage and eventually sell the assets. Secured lenders may enforce their security to recover loans from borrowers who have defaulted. This remedy available to secured creditors is known as receivership.

If a business debtor does not make payments or otherwise defaults on a secured loan, the secured creditor would have the right to appoint a receiver to collect the money owed. Before appointing a receiver, a secured creditor must first issue a “Section 244” notice of intention to enforce security. This is a notification that secured creditors must send to defaulting debtors before appointing a receiver. Section 244 refers to that section number in the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) (BIA).

The notice states that the security covers certain assets, that the company in default owes a specified amount to the secured creditor, and that the creditor may enforce the security after 10 days. The company in default may waive the notice period and consent to the appointment of the receiver.

Under the BIA, only a licensed insolvency trustee (formerly called a trustee in bankruptcy) can be a receiver. No other party is licensed to administer a receivership in Canada.

receivership in canada
receivership in canada

Receivership in Canada: What is the difference between a court-appointed receiver and a privately appointed receiver?

A privately-appointed receiver is a licensed trustee who is appointed by a contract between the insolvency trustee and the secured creditor. A private receiver is typically used when there is no dispute to ranking among secured creditors or various claims to ownership of the company’s assets. The powers of a receiver listed in the security document give the privately appointed receiver more limited powers than a court-appointed receiver gets under a court order.

A receiver is court-appointed when the secured creditor makes an application to the court for the appointment of a receiver with more expanded powers. Like a privately-appointed receiver, a court-appointed receiver takes control of a company’s property because of financial distress and when there is a dispute among secured creditors and others as to the ranking of secured claims and ownership of property.

Both kinds of receivers are tasked with protecting and preserving the value of the company or property and are certainly given broader powers by the court to do so.

How is receivership in Canada different from bankruptcy proceedings?

Many people mistakenly use the terms “receivership” and “bankruptcy” interchangeably. However, bankruptcy and receivership are two distinct legal proceedings with different implications.

Bankruptcy vs. receivership can be confusing, but once you understand the key differences between the two, it is fairly straightforward. Whether it is a private appointment or a court-appointed receiver, the differences between bankruptcy and receivership in Canada are the same.

A receivership is a legal remedy available to secured creditors to enforce their security rights against a defaulting debtor. A receiver is appointed to manage the debtor’s property and assets and sell them under a properly run and fair sales process.

The Canadian bankruptcy process is a distinct legal process. An insolvency trustee does not represent secured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. Instead, under the bankruptcy regime, they represent the unsecured creditors of the bankrupt estate. A corporate debtor may be subject to both bankruptcy and receivership proceedings simultaneously.

One of the major differences has to do with the creditors. In a bankruptcy administration, the bankruptcy trustee must call a meeting of creditors. This is where the insolvency trustee provides its report on the affairs and conduct of the bankrupt debtor and unsecured creditors get to vote on any matters of importance. In receivership, there is no such requirement to hold a meeting of creditors.

receivership in canada
receivership in canada

What are the key distinctions between receivership in Canada and liquidation?

So you know what receivership is by now. The federal BIA doesn’t govern liquidation, that’s done under the provincial Business Corporations Act or Wind-Up Act.

A liquidation is for a solvent company where the shareholders, Officers and directors decide to cease business operations. The company puts up its assets for sale and uses the proceeds to pay off its creditors with cash. Any funds left over are then distributed to the shareholders.

A liquidator can be appointed either privately by the company’s directors or by a court order. Liquidation is therefore different from both bankruptcy and receivership in Canada.

Can individuals be placed into receivership in Canada?

The answer is yes. When a secured creditor wishes to take enforcement action upon the security agreement they have against a debtor’s property, as indicated above, they have the remedy of receivership in Canada. This remedy allows them to collect as much of their secured debt as possible.

There are no restrictions as to who can go into receivership in Canada. One of our more famous (infamous?) receivership cases over the years has been the receivership of the assets, property and undertaking of Norma and Ronauld Walton.

receivership in canada
receivership in canada

Receivership in Canada: Whose receiver is it anyway?

Now for the court case where two different provincial laws caused a fight amongst secured creditors over the appointment of a receiver. The case is Canadian Equipment Finance and Leasing Inc. v. The Hypoint Company Limited, 2618905 Ontario Limited, 2618909 Ontario Limited, Beverley Rockliffe and Chantal Bock, 2022 ONSC 6186. The two competing provincial statutes are the Mortgages Act and the Personal Property Security Act.

The business is conducted through two affiliated entities. One owns the property and the other operates the business. This is quite a typical arrangement.

One creditor funded the purchase of equipment and took PPSA security over it. Another creditor funded the acquisition of the real property and has a traditional mortgage security. The security agreements extend over different assets, and the outcome is usually uncomplicated.

However, when equipment that has been purchased is attached to real property, there is disagreement about whether and how it can be removed, and whether such removal will negatively affect the value of both the equipment and the real property. The question is now more complicated: which creditor’s rights should take priority over this matter?

Both the equipment lender and the mortgagee are seeking to enforce their security. The equipment lender has filed a motion with the court to appoint a receiver over both the operating company (Opco) that owns the pledged equipment and the holding company (Holdco) that owns the real estate. This would allow the receiver to manage and sell the assets of both companies in order to repay the outstanding debt.

In this case, Opco was a commercial marijuana operation that was unable to get off the ground due to its heavy debt load and startup problems.

Although the mortgagee began power of sale enforcement proceedings, they do not object to a receiver being appointed over the equipment only. The mortgagee wishes to continue its power of sale proceedings and opposes the receiver being appointed over the building. The mortgagee in possession is of the opinion that the equipment is attached to the building and cannot be removed.

The mortgagee concurred that the court has the power to assign a receiver over the property of both Opco and Holdco according to section 101 of the Ontario Courts of Justice Act. They stated that, if a receiver is appointed, the receiver needs to be a firm chosen by them.

Both the licensed insolvency trustee firm preferred by the mortgagee and the firm nominated by the equipment lender filed a consent to act with the court.

What are the conditions under which a receiver may be appointed?

The court looked at numerous factors in order to make a decision on whether or not to appoint a receiver, and if so, which one, including those that have historically in receivership in Canada cases been taken into account in such determinations:

  1. Although it is not essential for a creditor to establish irreparable harm if a receiver is not appointed where the appointment is authorized by the security documentation, the court considered if no order is made, will irreparable harm be caused?
  2. The size of the debtor company’s equity in the assets and the need for protection or safeguarding of assets during litigation are important factors to consider when assessing the risk to the security holder.
  3. The kind of property it is.
  4. The potential for the assets to be wasted or dissipated.
  5. The need to safeguard the property until a legal ruling is made.
  6. The parties’ respective balance of convenience needs to be considered when making the decision.
  7. Pursuant to the loan documentation, the creditor has the right to an appointment.
  8. Enforcing the security instrument when the security holder experiences or anticipates difficulties with the debtor.
  9. The principle of appointing a receiver should be approached with caution.
  10. The court will determine whether appointing a receiver is necessary to enable the receiver to carry out its duties efficiently.
  11. The effect a receivership order will have on the parties.
  12. The parties’ conduct.
  13. How long a receivership may last.
  14. The financial impact on the parties.
  15. The likelihood of maximizing return to the parties is increased.
  16. The goal of ensuring the smooth running of the receiver’s duties.

As everyone agreed that all assets of both Opco and Holdco should be sold to maximize recovery for all creditors, but cannot agree on the process by which that should be undertaken, resulting in the entire process being stalled, the judge was satisfied that it is just and convenient to appoint a receiver.

The court found that either proposed receiver was acceptable and decided that the receiver nominated by the mortgagee would be appointed by the court to administer all assets. The receiver would eventually come back to court with a sales plan to maximize the value of all the assets subject to the security of all stakeholders.

receivership in canada
receivership in canada

How the entrepreneur can avoid receivership in Canada

As a business owner, the way to avoid the receivership process is long before financial difficulties ever become serious financial problems. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:

  • Keep a close eye on your finances. This means regularly reviewing your income and expenses, and making sure you have a good handle on your cash flow.
  • Stay current on your bills. This includes not only making timely payments but also staying on top of any changes in your billing terms or amounts.
  • Keep good records. This means having up-to-date financial statements and documentation for all of your income and expenses.
  • Make a plan. If you do find yourself in a financial bind, have a plan in place for how you’ll get out of it. This may include negotiating with creditors, seeking new financing, or making cuts to your expenses.
  • Seek professional help from a licensed insolvency trustee with commercial insolvency experience. If your business is viable and you seek help early enough, there may be many options. The most common ones are refinancing with or without financial restructuring. Reviewing your business allows us to make restructuring recommendations allowing your viable company to become healthy and profitable once again.

Receivership in Canada summary & speak with a licensed insolvency trustee

I hope you enjoyed this receivership in Canada Brandon’s Blog.

Revenue and cash flow shortages are critical issues facing entrepreneurs and their companies and businesses. Are you now worried about just how you or your business are going to survive? Those concerns are obviously on your mind. Coming out of the pandemic, we are now worried about its economic effects of inflation and a potential recession.

The Ira Smith Team understands these concerns. More significantly, we know the requirements of the business owner or the individual that has way too much financial debt. You are trying to manage these difficult financial problems and you are understandably anxious.

It is not your fault you can’t fix this problem on your own. The pandemic has thrown everyone a curveball. We have not been trained to deal with this. You have only been taught the old ways. The old ways do not work anymore. The Ira Smith Team makes use of new contemporary ways to get you out of your debt problems while avoiding bankruptcy. We can get you debt relief now.

We have helped many entrepreneurs and their insolvent companies who thought that consulting with a trustee and receiver meant their company would go bankrupt. On the contrary. We helped turn their companies around through financial restructuring.

We look at your whole circumstance and design a strategy that is as distinct as you are. We take the load off of your shoulders as part of the debt settlement strategy we will draft just for you.

We understand that people facing money problems require a lifeline. That is why we can establish a restructuring procedure for you and end the discomfort you feel.

Call us now for a no-cost consultation. We will listen to the unique issues facing you and provide you with practical and actionable ideas you can implement right away to end the pain points in your life, Starting Over, Starting Now.

receivership in canada
receivership in canada

 

 

Categories
Brandon Blog Post

PROS AND CONS OF BANKRUPTCIES CANADA: A HEALTHY FRESH START OR THE LAST RESORT?

Evaluating the pros and cons of bankruptcies Canada: Introduction

When you are in debt, it can feel like you are stuck in quicksand – the more you struggle, the deeper you sink. If you are considering bankruptcy, you are not alone. According to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB), almost 100,000 Canadians filed either a consumer proposal or for bankruptcy in 2021. The numbers for 2022 are rising above the 2021 level.

Before you make a decision, it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons of filing for bankruptcy in Canada. On the positive side, bankruptcy can give you a fresh start. It can discharge your debts and give you a chance to rebuild your finances. On the negative side, bankruptcy can damage your credit score more than one of the bankruptcy alternatives.

If you are struggling with debt, there are other options to consider before bankruptcy. You may be able to negotiate with your creditors and set up a payment plan. You can also improve your financial situation by cutting expenses and increasing your income. If you decide that you do need an insolvency process, a consumer proposal or a Division I Proposal may be better for you.

In this Brandon’s Blog post, I wish to aid you in gaining a better understanding of the pros and cons of bankruptcies Canada. Then you can make a much more educated choice about your financial debt issues.

What are the pros and cons of bankruptcies Canada?

When it comes to making the decision to file for bankruptcy, it is important to understand all of the implications that this will have on your life. In Canada, bankruptcy is a legal process that allows individuals to discharge all of their debts if they are unable to repay them. This process is overseen by the OSB, and there are certain requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for bankruptcy.

While bankruptcy can provide relief from debt, it is not without its drawbacks. Once you have been declared bankrupt, your credit rating will be significantly damaged, which can make it difficult to obtain new lines of credit in the future. Additionally, your assets may be seized in order to repay your creditors.

Before making the decision to file for bankruptcy, it is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Speak with a financial professional to get advice that is specific to your situation. Now for a more detailed discussion on the pros and cons of bankruptcies Canada.

pros and cons of bankruptcies canada
pros and cons of bankruptcies canada

The pros of bankruptcies Canada

A fresh start

If you’re sick of being in debt, bankruptcy might be a good option for you. It can be a fresh start, and it’ll get creditors off your back. You can move on with your life without all that stress.

Rebuild your credit

As stated above, bankruptcy will cause some damage to your credit. However, it can stop the continuous damage you may be facing now. You can begin rebuilding your credit rating, rather than having to face extra charges from missed payments as well as receiving those pesky telephone calls from bill collectors.

Get rid of most if not all of your debts

In most cases, all of your obligations will be cleared by your bankruptcy discharge. Normally cleared debts are your unsecured debts like credit card debt, lines of credit, personal loans, payday loans, and income tax debts. A bankruptcy filing will let you not worry about a ton of bills but will force you to focus on balancing your budget.

There are some obligations that bankruptcy cannot clear, like child or spousal support payments, or payments for fines or penalties awarded by a court. You can get your student loans discharged too as long as you’ve been out of school for 7 years or even more.

Stop debt collectors cold

Creditors and their debt collectors making their collection calls can be pretty aggressive when they’re trying to get paid. Bill collectors demand and try to scare you as to what will happen if you do not pay up. Answering your phone or checking your VM becomes terrifying. You might also have a ton of mail from them stacking up in your mailbox, inbox, and so on.

If you’re losing the battle of staying up to date with your bill payments, personal bankruptcy might be a good option for you. Declaring bankruptcy stops all collection efforts, including calls as well as letters from your creditors. This is called the “automatic stay of proceedings”. When you’ve filed an assignment in bankruptcy, the automatic stay goes on and offers you some breathing space.

Get rid of any wage garnishment

If you file for bankruptcy, you don’t need to worry about wage garnishment or legal action anymore. The stay of proceedings also prevents any further attempts at collection, including wage garnishment. Creditors and collectors also won’t be able to take you to court.

Bankruptcy is not forever

So, if you’re thinking about filing for the bankruptcy process, know that it usually takes about nine months to go through the process for a first-time bankrupt who does not have any surplus income payments to make to your Trustee. And, if the Licensed Insolvency Trustee handling your case finds that you have surplus income, you won’t be able to get a discharge for 21 months.

If this is your second bankruptcy, it will take longer. If you don’t have surplus income payments to make, it will take 24 months. If you do need to make surplus income payments, it will take 36 months.

These are the pros when considering the pros and cons of bankruptcies Canada. Now for the cons!

pros and cons of bankruptcies canada
pros and cons of bankruptcies canada

The cons of bankruptcy

There are many cons of filing bankruptcy, including:

Your credit rating

If you file for bankruptcy, it’ll rank you as an R9 on your credit report, which is pretty bad news for your credit score. The damages to your credit rating will not last forever. Your very first personal bankruptcy will be noted on your credit record for 6 years after the day of your bankruptcy discharge. A second bankruptcy will certainly harm your credit score for a lot longer.

At the outset of your bankruptcy journey, you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. At least you now have a roadmap to restoring your credit and have a date when your credit will be cleared of any damage. You can start to rebuild your credit even before you are discharged from bankruptcy.

Your assets may be liquidated

This doesn’t mean that you’ll lose everything. Your personal belongings – like clothes, household items, work tools, and even a car under a certain value – usually can’t be taken away from you in bankruptcy. This means that the proceeds from the sale of your other non-exempt assets will be used to repay your creditors.

RRSP contributions in the past 12 months are not exempt

Your retirement savings are protected, but any contributions you made in the past 12 months to your RRSP are not exempt.

Surplus income and the cost of bankruptcy

If you’re making more money than the surplus income threshold, you’ll also have to make surplus income payments to your Licensed Insolvency Trustee. If you don’t have any assets and don’t have to pay the surplus income requirement, you or a relative will have to pay your Trustee’s fee.

Complete financial disclosure

You will need to make full financial disclosure to your Trustee. Your Licensed Insolvency Trustee will use that information to help you complete a Statement of Affairs. This disclosure details your financial position and will even potentially highlight certain financial transactions. Essentially your Trustee and the court will know everything about your finances and your creditors will get a peek too.

When you’re going through bankruptcy, you’ll need to hand over your tax docs and pay stubs to show how much you’re earning. This is how the Trustee decides if you’ve gone over the surplus income threshold.

A lasting record

Once you file for bankruptcy, the paperwork will become part of the public record in Canada. To start your bankruptcy, your Licensed Insolvency Trustee files your bankruptcy documents with the OSB. It then becomes part of the public record.

Most people who file for bankruptcy will only have their Trustee, the OSB, the court, their creditors and the two Canadian credit bureaus know about it.

pros and cons of bankruptcies canada
pros and cons of bankruptcies canada

Bankruptcy alternatives from pros and cons of bankruptcies Canada

Now that you understand the pros and cons of Canadian bankruptcies, you must just consider this option as a last choice. If you can solve your financial problems without experiencing the unfavourable elements of personal bankruptcy, that is the most effective way to go.

During your initial no-cost consultation, the Licensed Insolvency Trustee will help you should explore all the bankruptcy alternatives. I have written before in more detail about each of the bankruptcy alternatives listed below. I have included a link to each of those more detailed blogs. The main alternatives to bankruptcy are:

Debt consolidation

If you’re aiming to leave financial debt behind, debt consolidation could be a good alternative for you. By rolling all your financial obligations into one financing with a lower rate of interest, you will save money from the lower rate of interest on the new consolidation loan and leave your debt behind much faster.

Just make sure that you understand the current interest rates you are being charged, the total of your monthly payments that you currently may or may not be able to afford, the interest rate being offered to you on a debt consolidation loan, what your new monthly payment will be and make sure that you have a realistic budget of your monthly income and monthly expenses that shows that you can afford the new payments on a monthly basis.

Credit counselling

Credit counselling is a process whereby a person in debt meets with a credit counsellor to discuss their options for dealing with their debt. The credit counsellor will assess the person’s financial situation and provide advice on how to best deal with the debt. This may include negotiating with creditors to reduce interest rates or monthly payments and setting up a debt management plan.

As I have written many times before, you should only go to a community-based non-profit credit counselling agency that does not charge any fees. If the credit counsellor you choose wants to charge you fees, get out of there. It is not the best choice for you.

Debt settlement

Debt settlement is a process in which you can negotiate with your creditors to pay less than the full amount you owe. This can be a good option if you are not able to pay your debts in full and you are willing to negotiate with your creditors.

Debt settlement works well if you only have 1 or a few creditors. If you have many creditors, debt settlement is much more difficult in making sure that everyone remains on board with the negotiated settlement and that you will have enough money to pay the lower settled amounts you promised.

Many times with a multitude of creditors, either a consumer proposal or a Division I Proposal is the most effective way to bind everyone in a debt settlement process.

Like in credit counselling, I urge you to stay away from debt settlement companies that charge fees. What they do is charge you unnecessary fees, try to sell you products you don’t need and then when they cannot sell you any more products and their debt settlement techniques do not work, they then walk you to their favourite Licensed Insolvency Trustee for an insolvency process, which might just be a bankruptcy.

I would rather see you use your accountant or lawyer if you do not feel comfortable negotiating yourself. Those professionals will have your best interests at heart in return for their fee. They also won’t try to sell you more products.

Consumer proposals

When it comes to debt of $250,000 or less (other than for secured debts registered against your home), there are a number of options available to help you get back on track. One option is a consumer proposal.

A consumer proposal is a formal debt relief and debt-settlement option available in Canada. It is a legally binding agreement between you and your creditors. Under a consumer proposal, you agree to repay a portion of your debts, and your creditors agree to forgive the rest.

A consumer proposal can be an attractive option for many reasons. First, it can help you get out of debt without having to declare bankruptcy. Second, it can help you keep your assets, such as your home or car. Third, it can give you a fresh start by wiping away most, if not all, of your unsecured debts.

If you’re considering a consumer proposal, it is necessary to obtain assistance from a qualified expert. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee, who is also a consumer proposal administrator in Canada, can walk you through the process and answer your questions. This will allow you to see if it’s the right choice for you.

Division I Proposal

If you owe more than $250,000, a Division I Proposal is a great option to settle your debts. It’s not as streamlined as a consumer proposal, but it’s still a great way to get out of debt.

Other than these technical differences, it has the same aim as a consumer proposal: to provide a debt settlement option that will bind all unsecured creditors and get the person back onto their feet free of the stress and burden of their unmanageable debts.

Either a consumer proposal or a Division I Proposal are excellent debt relief options approved by the Canadian government. One of the other benefits of either of these two debt settlement options is that the person will also receive two mandatory financial counselling sessions. Getting this education will help put the person on the right track for the rest of their life.

Understanding the advantages of bankruptcy and also the disadvantages of bankruptcy for companies

When a company faces overwhelming debt, bankruptcy may seem like the only way out. However, there is only one advantage and one disadvantage to bankruptcy for a company.

One advantage of this situation is that the Trustee may be able to sell the assets to a purchaser who will then be able to use those assets to continue the former business of the company in a profitable way. This could potentially save some jobs, at least for the key employees of the old business.

The one disadvantage is that unlike a person, when a company goes bankrupt, the corporate legal entity is now dead.

Before the Directors of a company decide to bankrupt the company, they should determine if certain divisions or parts of the business can be saved and operate profitably if the unprofitable part(s) could be eliminated. If so, a financial restructuring can be done to turn this unprofitable company into a viable and profitable one and save some jobs in the process.

pros and cons of bankruptcies canada
pros and cons of bankruptcies canada

Pros and cons of bankruptcies Canada: Summary

I hope you enjoyed this Brandon’s Blog on the pros and cons of bankruptcies Canada.

People are falling behind with stagnant wages or tiny wage increases while there is runaway inflation and they are falling deeper and deeper into debt. Revenue and cash flow shortages are critical issues facing entrepreneurs and their companies and businesses. Are you now worried about just how you or your business are going to survive? Those concerns are obviously on your mind. Coming out of the pandemic, we are now worried about its economic effects of inflation and a potential recession.

The Ira Smith Team understands these concerns. More significantly, we know the requirements of the business owner or the individual that has way too much financial debt. You are trying to manage these difficult financial problems and you are understandably anxious.

It is not your fault you can’t fix this problem on your own. The pandemic has thrown everyone a curveball. We have not been trained to deal with this. You have only been taught the old ways. The old ways do not work anymore. The Ira Smith Team makes use of new contemporary ways to get you out of your debt problems while avoiding bankruptcy. We can get you debt relief now, while explaining the pros and cons of bankruptcies Canada or any other of our recommendations.

We look at your whole circumstance and design a strategy that is as distinct as you are. We take the load off of your shoulders as part of the debt settlement strategy we will draft just for you. There are many pros and cons of bankruptcies Canada. Whatever process we recommend for you will, we will do so in order to minimize any cons you may experience.

We understand that people facing money problems require a lifeline. That is why we can establish a restructuring procedure for you and end the discomfort you feel.

Call us now for a no-cost consultation. We will listen to the unique issues facing you and provide you with practical and actionable ideas you can implement right away to end the pain points in your financial life, Starting Over, Starting Now.

 

 

pros and cons of bankruptcies canada
pros and cons of bankruptcies Canada pros and cons of bankruptcies canada
Categories
Brandon Blog Post

WHAT ARE EXEMPT ASSETS IN BANKRUPTCY?: ARE THEY REV1EWED UPON THE SAD DEATH OF THE BANKRUPT?

what are exempt assets in bankruptcy
what are exempt assets in bankruptcy

We hope that you and your family are safe, healthy and secure during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is absolutely operational and Ira, in addition to Brandon Smith, is readily available for a telephone consultation or video meeting.

If you would like to listen to the audio version of this Brandon Blog, please scroll to the very bottom and click play on the podcast.

What are exempt assets in bankruptcy?: Bankruptcy exemptions – how what assets you can keep are determined

An assignment in bankruptcy does not require you to give up all of your assets. In bankruptcy law, there are rules for bankruptcy exemptions. Furthermore, every province/territory has regulations that mandate what assets can be kept and how much equity can be retained. Assets of this type are called exempt assets.

Assets that you are allowed to keep that are not accessible to your creditors are exempt assets in a bankruptcy. There are some that fall under federal law and some that fall under provincial law.

So what are exempt assets in bankruptcy in Ontario? To answer the question, we need to look at two statutes: one federal and one provincial. For federal, we look at the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) (BIA). Section 67(1) of the BIA deals specifically with the bankruptcy exemption issue. It states what property of the bankrupt available to creditors does and does not comprise. Property that is not included is:

  • Property held in trust by the bankrupt for any third party.
  • Under provincial law, the property cannot be seized.
  • Payments to the bankrupt are paid under a program that I will describe as social assistance provided by the federal or provincial government.
  • Retirement Savings Plans – The bankrupt’s RRSP or RRIF, except for contributions made in the 12 months before the bankruptcy.

When we discuss the property of a bankrupt, we are referring to the bankrupt’s equity in those assets.

Ontario bankruptcy exemptions: Assets you can keep

As indicated above, one of the asset exemptions in bankruptcy is any property that cannot be seized under provincial law. So what are exempt assets in bankruptcy in Ontario that cannot be seized? For that, we need to go to the Ontario Execution Act. In Ontario, the prescribed amounts for exemptions are:

  • Household furnishings and household appliances – $14,180.
  • Tools and other personal property used to generate income:
    • Exemptions for farmers, being a debtor engaged exclusively in cultivating the soil or farming (and therefore it is that farmer’s principal source of primary income), $31,379 for livestock, fowl, bees, books, tools and implements, and other chattels ordinarily used by the debtor;
    • $14,405 for any other case.
  • $7,117 for a motor vehicle.
  • $10, 783 for a principal residence.

As I have written before, there is an exemption in Ontario for equity in one’s home of not more than $10,783. It is not an exemption for the first $10K, but rather if the total equity is below that amount. Therefore, we can consider the equity in a bankrupt person’s ownership interest in their home to belong to the bankruptcy trustee for all practical purposes.

So this seems pretty straightforward. But what if the bankrupt person dies before the end of the bankruptcy proceedings and the bankruptcy estate administration? A recent decision from the Alberta bankruptcy court, which for reasons I will explain I believe would be instructive for Ontario, answers that question.

what are exempt assets in bankruptcy
what are exempt assets in bankruptcy

What are exempt assets in bankruptcy even in death?

In addition to the above statutory exemptions, since we are always dealing with the bankrupt’s equity in assets, there is another class of assets that form exempt property in a bankruptcy. If any of the bankrupt’s assets are pledged as security to the point where the amount owing to the secured creditor on the secured debt is the same or more than the value of the asset, then a bankruptcy trustee will not attempt to seize it.

So what may have started out as non-exempt property can become property that will not be seized. Two obvious examples are one of the motor vehicles owned by a person worth more than $7,117 that is heavily financed or a principal residence that has mortgages against it that essentially soaks up all the value.

Another type of asset that may be exempt is life insurance policies. If the beneficiary under the policy listed is the spouse, child, parent or grandparent of the deceased, then the funds flow directly to the beneficiary and avoid probate. The bankruptcy of the deceased does not change that.

Although not an asset per se, and only available while the person is living, are wages salary from employment. A bankrupt person is allowed to keep all of their income. However, all Trustees are required to perform an evaluation to see if the bankrupt must contribute by making surplus income payments. The concept of bankruptcy surplus income has been the subject of certain of my prior Brandon Blogs.

Now, what are exempt assets in bankruptcy if the bankrupt person dies before receiving a bankruptcy discharge? On August 3, 2021, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, Registrar in Bankruptcy L.R. Birkett released Reasons for Decision in Perry (Re), 2021 ABQB 609 (CanLII). In this case, the Trustee sought advice and directions with respect to whether the principal residence exemption continues or is no longer available on the death of the bankrupt. Keep in mind that the principal residence exemption is much different in Alberta than in Ontario. In Alberta, under the Civil Enforcement Act, an Albertan can claim a principal residence exemption up to $40,000.

However, the fact that the issue was over equity in a principal residence is somewhat irrelevant. The real issue is exempt assets in general. So I would frame it as whether any asset exemption continues or is no longer available upon the death of the bankrupt.

Mr. and Mrs. Perry each filed an assignment in bankruptcy on December 19, 2012 (date of bankruptcy) and both remain undischarged bankrupts. At the date of bankruptcy, the bankrupt husband was the only registered owner of the couple’s principal residence. The bankrupt husband died on January 28, 2018.

He did not have any dependents at the time of his death. The bankrupt wife is the only beneficiary under his Will. The widowed bankrupt wife moved from the home and the Trustee sold it.

As a first observation, this is a perfect example of why a bankrupt should not allow the bankruptcy proceedings to drag on. Future events are impossible to predict. Winning a lottery or acquiring an inheritance are the two best reasons to avoid letting the bankruptcy process linger for a very long time. If such a windfall occurs, the bankruptcy trustee administering the bankruptcy estate can claim it.

Types of assets commonly exempt from bankruptcy across Canada: The Registrar’s analysis

The question is does the personal exemption of an undischarged bankrupt remain after his death? In Alberta, the applicable laws under which property is exempt from execution or seizure are set out in the Civil Enforcement Act (CEA) and the Civil Enforcement Regulation(CER). The combined effect of s.88(g) CEA and s 37(1)(e) CER allows an enforcement debtor to claim up to $40,000 of the equity in the debtor’s principal residence as being exempt from execution or seizure. The Registrar noted that the personal exemption is personal to the individual, in this case, the deceased bankrupt husband.

Section 92(1) of the CEA specifically provides that where the enforcement debtor is deceased, the property of the debtor that would be exempt if the debtor were alive remains exempt from writ proceedings against the debtor’s estate for the period of time that the property is required for the maintenance and support of the deceased debtor’s dependents. This allows the dependents of a deceased enforcement debtor the opportunity to access up to $40,000 of exempt equity in the debtor’s principal residence for their needs.

In this case, the widowed bankrupt wife moved out of the house and the Trustee sold it. The exempt equity was no longer necessary for her needs. Therefore the Registrar decided that the deceased bankrupt husband’s exemption was lost on his death. Since the exempt equity was not required to support the bankrupt wife’s needs, the Trustee of the dead bankrupt husband can keep the $40,000 amount as property not covered by the provincial exemption and it is available for the benefit of creditors through the bankruptcy debtor‘s unsecured creditors.

There is a strong argument that if the personal exemption resulted in the bankrupt wife being entitled to her deceased husband’s exemption amount, it would not have been paid to her anyway. Rather, it would have been property available to her Trustee for her unsecured creditors and possibly even a dividend to creditors!

what are exempt assets in bankruptcy
what are exempt assets in bankruptcy

What are exempt assets in bankruptcy and what would happen in Ontario?

What would happen in Ontario with exempt assets (up to their prescribed maximum exempt amount)? Under s.5(1) of the Execution Act, if an execution debtor dies before the seizure and sale of his or her personal property, then whatever personal property the deceased already elected for exemption before death remains valid after death and may not be changed by an executor, administrator or heir of the debtor. s.5(2) of the Execution Act says that If no such election was made prior to death, then, in this order, a surviving spouse, a dependent or a family member has the right to make such an election.

S.5(3) of the Execution Act states:

“(3) The total quantity and total value of personal property of an execution debtor that may be claimed as exempt by a person mentioned in subsection (2) and by the execution debtor before death must not exceed the quantity and value of property that would have been exempt property to just the execution debtor. 2010, c. 16, Sched. 2, s. 3 (9).”

The wording of sections 5(1) and (2) of the Execution Act is very different from that of the relevant Alberta legislation referenced above. So, in my view, it appears that the personal exemption in Ontario would survive and not constitute property available for the Trustee to realize upon, but this is only up to the exemption limit of each class of exempt asset.

However, under a bankruptcy process, along with the bankruptcy protection from unsecured creditors, the bankrupt actually hands over all property to the Trustee. The Trustee either overtly or it is implied, hands back to the bankruptcy debtor any property that is exempt from seizure, either from a provincial statute or because it is a fully encumbered asset because of it being pledged for a secured loan and there is no equity.

In Ontario, since the Execution Act allows for selecting exempt assets after death for the benefit of the deceased Estate, it does not appear to me that bankruptcy would change things for the reasons I have stated. The provincial exemptions, up to their maximum limits, would continue to protect certain property from seizure in bankruptcy.

What are exempt assets in bankruptcy summary

I hope that you found this what are exempt assets in bankruptcy Brandon Blog helpful in describing the personal exemptions in Ontario and whether bankruptcy and death can change that. Problems will arise when you are cash-starved and in debt. There are several insolvency processes available to a person or company with too much debt. You may not need to file for bankruptcy.

If you are concerned because you or your business are dealing with substantial debt challenges, you need debt help and you assume bankruptcy is your only option, call me.

It is not your fault that you remain in this way. You have actually been only shown the old ways to try to deal with financial issues. These old ways do not work anymore.

The Ira Smith Team utilizes new modern-day ways to get you out of your debt difficulties with debt relief options as an alternative to bankruptcy. We can get you the relief you need and so deserve. Our professional advice will create for you a personalized debt-free plan for you or your company during our no-cost initial consultation.

The tension put upon you is big. We know your discomfort factors. We will check out your entire situation and design a new approach that is as unique as you and your problems; financial and emotional. We will take the weight off of your shoulders and blow away the dark cloud hanging over you. We will design a debt settlement strategy for you. We know that we can help you now.

We understand that people with credit cards maxed out and businesses facing financial issues need a realistic lifeline. There is no “one solution fits all” method with the Ira Smith Team. Not everyone has to file bankruptcy in Canada. The majority of our clients never do as we know the alternatives to bankruptcy. We help many people and companies stay clear of filing an assignment in bankruptcy.

That is why we can establish a new restructuring procedure for paying down debt that will be built just for you. It will be as one-of-a-kind as the economic issues and discomfort you are encountering. If any one of these seems familiar to you and you are serious about getting the solution you need to become debt-free, contact the Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. group today.

Call us now for a no-cost consultation.

what are exempt assets in bankruptcy
what are exempt assets in bankruptcy

We hope that you and your family are safe, healthy and secure during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is absolutely operational and Ira, in addition to Brandon Smith, is readily available for a telephone consultation or video meeting.

what are exempt assets in bankruptcy

Categories
Brandon Blog Post

Debt problems: 8 Mistakes To Avoid When You Are Having Money Problems

debt problemsIntroduction

I have advised many entrepreneurs and non-business people who have debt problems. Many times, there are things they have done before coming to see me for a no-cost consultation that I wished they had not done. So, I thought I would discuss the 8 mistakes to avoid when you are having money problems.

1. Using money from your RRSP to pay debts

This can be a costly error. Using retirement funds to pay off debts can hurt you in numerous ways. The vast majority of retirement accounts are exempt. This means your creditors cannot get at them and you won’t lose them if you file for a consumer proposal or for bankruptcy (“an insolvency filing”).

Using retirement money to pay debts that can be discharged in an insolvency filing, like credit card and income tax debt, rarely makes sense. If you make an insolvency filing, you can eliminate the debt without spending any of your retirement funds. Using retirement funds to pay debt jeopardizes your future when you will be in more need of the funds due to lack of other income.

The withdrawal from the RRSP counts as income on which you will owe taxes and possibly even an early withdrawal penalty. Depending on how large the amount is, the added income and related income tax debt could affect the nature of your insolvency filing, the total amount you will still have to pay and provide problems with your discharge from bankruptcy.

2. Paying unsecured debts like credit cards, income tax and personal instead of secured debts like mortgages and car loans

Some creditors are so aggressive and sometimes predatory that they make you think that you must pay off their debts immediately or suffer severe consequences. Frightened by these tactics you may be tempted to pay their unsecured loans first and leave a secured loan unpaid. This creates multiple problems.

The two most common types of property subject to a security interest are probably the two most important things you own: your home and your car. A car loan creditor can repossess a car after one missed payment. If that occurs, you will lose your car and you will be responsible for any deficiency amount you still owe on your car loan after the car is auctioned off usually for significantly less than it is worth.

While a mortgage lender may not be able to kick you out of your home as quickly, arrears, a higher arrears rate of interest that kicks in upon default and late fees can significantly increase what you owe and make it very difficult to catch up. As a general rule, you should prefer to pay your secured creditors so you can keep your car and home, as opposed to paying unsecured creditors who don’t have near the recourse that a secured creditor has. This assumes that you will be able to afford the car and mortgage payments after we help you eliminate your debts and balance your budget.

In addition, if you decide to make an insolvency filing, the money paid to your unsecured creditors might as well have been thrown in the trash. Meanwhile, you will still have to catch up on your secured debts if you want to keep the property.

Finally, you might have to explain to the licensed insolvency trustee why you were able to pay certain creditors, but not others, so close to the filing. Such payments may be considered preferences that the trustee can force the creditor to return in a bankruptcy. It is always better to avoid such a problem and keep your secured debts current, even if you have to neglect the unsecured ones.

3. Maintaining accounts at a bank or other financial institution where you owe money

Almost every bank and financial institution will require you to sign an agreement authorizing the bank to automatically garnish your account if you miss a payment owed to it. In other words, if you have your mortgage and a savings account at the same bank and you miss a mortgage payment, the bank can take it from your savings account. This is called a setoff.

You should transfer your accounts, other than for the one account need to pay your monthly loan payment, to another institution where you don’t owe money to avoid this situation. You can keep a minimum amount in that one account and replenish it monthly so you can’t lose much in case of a setoff.

4. Using a second mortgage or home equity line of credit to pay off credit cards or other unsecured debt

As mentioned previously, credit card and other unsecured debt can be discharged in an insolvency filing. If you don’t make your mortgage payments, you could lose your home.

If the amount you borrow against your home doesn’t get you out of debt, you may have no choice but to end up not being able to afford the higher payments, in bankruptcy, having wasted money that could have been used elsewhere. To make matters worse, you have allowed a second lien against your home, which increases your monthly expenses and the length of time before you are able to pay your home off. In addition, the second mortgage, is a secured debt, will not be dischargeable in an insolvency filing and you may end up losing your home.

Don’t fall for the advertisements that suggest you consolidate your debts with a home equity loan. This strategy only makes sense after you have seen a licensed credit counsellor and have created and understood your balanced budget. The licensed insolvency trustees at Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. are also licensed, credit counsellors.

5. Not filing your tax returns

If you do not file your tax returns on time, you will have an issue if you make an insolvency filing. Your case will not be closed and your debts will not be discharged until you file your missing income tax returns with the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) and they have a chance to review it. The CRA will not allow you to get through the insolvency filing without ensuring your returns have been filed.

It will also be impossible for us to properly advise you on whether you can avoid bankruptcy through a consumer proposal because will not know the total amount you owe to CRA. You always need to bring your income tax filings current BEFORE making an insolvency filing. Better not to have this problem delay a filing when you really need to protect yourself immediately at that time.

6. Telling a creditor that you intend to pay

When you have debt problems, it is always best not to say anything to a creditor than to promise the creditor that you will pay. Once you tell creditors to expect money, their harassment will grow every day they don’t receive the promised money.

7. Making a written promise to pay or making a partial payment on an old debt

Creditors are barred from collecting a debt once the limitation period has run. The limitation period on a particular unsecured debt incurred in Ontario is 2 years. Making a written promise to pay or making a partial payment on the debt (no matter how small) may reset the clock on the creditor’s ability to take legal action.

8. Ignoring pending lawsuits

Pending lawsuits on debts is an obvious sign that you have debt problems. Ignoring pending lawsuits is a huge mistake as these lawsuits lead to judgments. Upon receiving a judgment, the creditor will be able to garnish your wages and freeze your bank accounts.

If you are sued on a debt, it’s wise to at least consult a lawyer. You may have legal defenses. It is normally best to make an insolvency filing either before or immediately upon a judgment being made against you. That way, the creditor who received the judgment cannot enforce against your wages or bank accounts. You are protected in an insolvency filing by an automatic stay of proceedings.

Debt problems summary

I hope you found this Brandon’s Blog, What is a Consumer Proposal, helpful. Sometimes things are too far gone and more drastic and immediate triage action is required.

Do you have too much debt? Are you in need of financial restructuring? The financial restructuring process is complex. The Ira Smith Team understands how to do a complex restructuring. However, more importantly, we understand the needs of the entrepreneur or the person who has too much personal debt. You are worried because you are facing significant financial challenges.

It is not your fault that you are in this situation. You have been only shown the old ways that do not work anymore. The Ira Smith Team uses new modern ways to get you out of your debt troubles while avoiding bankruptcy. We can get you debt relief freedom.

The stress placed upon you is huge. We understand your pain points. We look at your entire situation and devise a strategy that is as unique as you and your problems; financial and emotional. The way we take the load off of your shoulders and devise a debt settlement plan, we know that we can help you.

We know that people facing financial problems need realistic lifeline. There is no “one solution fits all” approach with the Ira Smith Team. That is why we can develop a restructuring process as unique as the financial problems and pain you are facing. If any of this sounds familiar to you and you are serious in finding a solution, contact the Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. team today.

Call us now for a free consultation. We will get you or your company back on the road to healthy stress-free operations and recover from the pain points in your life, Starting Over, Starting Now.

Call a Trustee Now!