Comparison Of Consumer Proposals And Credit Counseling
Much of the Western industrialized world has gone into an economic tailspin from which we are only beginning to recover. As a consequence, more and more consumers find themselves in dire financial straits and are looking for ways to help manage their debt load.
When most of us think of debt solutions, our minds turn to Calgary bankruptcy or Calgary credit counseling. The airwaves and other advertising venues are crammed with pitches for bankruptcy assistance as well as credit counseling services.
No one wants to go through the pain of personal bankruptcy or the stigma that is attached to it. Personal bankruptcy can affect you for years. Agencies that specialize in credit counseling are often unaware of another option that is available to their clients. Due to a lack of publicity, few know of it and even fewer credit counselors offer it as an effective alternative for their clients to implement. A good credit counselor will understand this option and will educate clients on how to utilize the option of a Consumer Proposal. Its use and benefits are discussed below.
There are a number of agencies that offer credit counseling. These agencies are comprised of ones that are non-profit as well as for profit companies. You can expect both types of agencies to charge a fee for their services. The goal with any credit counseling is to create a viable Debt Management Plan. Then your counselor will offer this plan to all of your creditors, with the goal being to work out a plan that will help both sides. This plan will not include any debt that is secured. This could include a home mortgage or an automobile loan.
A Consumer Proposal is a concept whereby a credit counselor approaches your creditors with the intention of getting them to lower the percentage of interest you currently pay and waive any late fees that may have been added on to your account. In return you agree to a payment plan that is more manageable. You will make these payments to the credit counseling service and they will pay your creditors. All credit accounts that you currently have will be closed.
Some debt may be so large that it will restrict you from qualifying for credit counseling. There are differences that you need to understand when it comes to a Debt Management Plan or a Consumer Proposal. It’s important to know the differences before you call a credit counseling service.
First, a DMP (Debt Management Plan) does not lower your total debt; it just restructures the repayment in a more manageable way for the consumer. If you owe $30,000 in unsecured debt, you will pay all that back over time plus the accumulated fees for the credit counseling service, which varies.
When you choose a Consumer Proposal, your credit counseling service will negotiate with your creditors on your behalf. Their goal will be to reduce the amount owed by you to your creditors. If your wages have been garnished then by law this must stop. This is one of the main differences between the two plans. With a Debt Management Plan your wages can still continue to be garnished, and it will be at the discretion of your creditors whether to remove it or leave it in place.
A bankruptcy trustee can handle a Consumer Proposal. They must be licensed as this is a legal agreement that is binding in a court of law. The government requires that consumers use their services in order to file a Consumer Proposal. Consumers need to understand that a bankruptcy trustee is experienced in handling many aspects of debt management.
Bankruptcy trustees are trained professionals and are skilled in debt management. They will evaluate your finances and explain the many options that are available to you. They fully understand and know how to implement Consumer Proposals and Debt Management Plans. Most offer a free consultation and it is in your best interests to consult with one in order to proceed with a plan that best suits your needs.
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