If you are having financial trouble, you may have thought about going to see a trustee. One of the things you will see our office advertise is a free consultation. Now, everyone loves to hear that something is free, but is there a catch? Will you be pressured into signing papers? Will the information I get be as reliable as places that charge for consultations? All these questions can make you more anxious or hesitant about booking a consultation. Here are some answers to common questions we get regarding our free consultation.
Who will I be meeting with when I come for my free consultation?
When you come in for a free consultation, you will be meeting with one of our experienced Insolvency Counsellors who are prepared to sit down with you and answer all of your questions.
Will the information I get be as reliable as places that charge for consultations?
All trustee offices should provide you with the same information because they are all following the same set of government rules and guidelines.
What makes someone an Insolvency Counsellor?
Our Insolvency Counsellors have all passed the national ICQC exam offered by CAIRP, have all completed the required 100 hours of counselling under direct supervision of another qualified insolvency counsellor, and have shown at least one year of experience in counselling to be recognized as Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) Insolvency Counsellors.
How much experience do our Insolvency Counsellors have?
All of our Insolvency Counsellors have experience in the bankruptcy industry before becoming qualified counsellors. In becoming qualified BIA counsellors they all have the experience mentioned above. In addition, most of our counsellors have been accessing financial situations for at least 4 years, some for over 20 years.
How long will the appointment take?
Usually 30 minutes to one hour depending on how many questions you have.
Do I need to bring anything?
The information we suggest you bring is:
- 2 pieces of government issued ID
- Information on who you owe and approximately how much you owe (credit card statements, Equifax report)
- Documentation on any assets you own (vehicle ownership, RRSP statement)
- Proof of Income (recent paystub, bank statement that shows money going into your account)
If I don’t have some of the above-mentioned items can I still come in?
Yes, but we recommend trying to figure out approximate amounts before hand so we can advise you accordingly. We know that sometimes your situation can feel disorganized and overwhelming however it is helpful to bring in as much information about your situation as possible so they the counsellor can figure out what your best options are.
What type of questions will I be asked during this appointment?
We ask a lot of questions, most of them involve finding out how you got into your situation, determining how much you owe, how much you own, and doing up a monthly budget. This is all to help determine if a bankruptcy, consumer proposal, or division 1 proposal could help in your particular situation.
Will I be pressured into signing papers?
No.
What if a bankruptcy, consumer proposal, or division 1 proposal is not right for me?
We will tell you if we think there is a better option that we do not provide or if you may be better off trying other options first. Either way you will still be leaving with a better understanding of your financial situation.
What happens if I want to go forward with a bankruptcy, consumer proposal, or division 1 proposal?
If you decide that you want to go forward you will meet with one of our trustees. The trustee will review the information taken during the initial consultation, answer any additional questions you may have. The trustee will also explain the papers you will be signing if you still want to do bankruptcy, consumer proposal, or division 1 proposal.
Can I think about it before I sign the papers?
Absolutely. Many people come in for the initial consultation then take a few days to think about their options. Filing for bankruptcy, or doing a proposal is an important decision. If you then decide you want to go forward you can call us and to set up an appointment with one of our trustees.
What if I have more questions that are not answered here?
Your best option is to call us or set up a free consultation where we will have lots of time to answer all questions. Please give us a call at 1-888-329-5198.