Consumer Proposals & Debt Relief in Stratford

Licensed Insolvency Trustees & Credit Counsellors
Reduce Debt By Up To 80%
Get a Personalized Debt Free Plan

Call us today: 1-866-747-0660

Book A Free Consult

Hoyes, Michalos is a firm dedicated to helping individuals obtain a fresh financial start and become debt free. We offer debt relief for residents of Stratford and Perth County.

Our Stratford debt help team provides FREE PHONE AND VIDEO CONSULTATIONS to discuss the following:

Scott Schaefer and Ian Martin, both Licensed Insolvency Trustees and Consumer Proposal Administrators, will meet with you via phone or video chat. They will work with you to make a plan to deal with your debts and gain financial control. Whether you are receiving threatening creditor calls or have already had your wages garnisheed, our Trustees can help you get relief. We can work with you to eliminate credit card debt, payday loans, installment loans, bank loans, and even income tax debt.

Each year, nearly 200 Stratford residents file insolvency. If you are struggling with debt, you are not alone. Both Scott and Ian take their time and provide a caring service to their clients. They understand the stress that comes with having a heavy debt load and will work closely with you to provide a fresh financial start.

They offer the convenience of phone and video-conferencing for all stages of the process. Many people find it advantageous to begin the initial consultation and debt assessment over the phone or by video. If you decide to file, you can sign your paperwork electronically. Credit counselling sessions can also be completed through video conferencing, which eliminates the need to miss work or schedule a time to attend the office. If you need to meet in person this area is serviced through our Kitchener location. Even though we do not have a physical office in Stratford, rest assured we remain committed to providing you with the best information to make an informed decision and working with you through the process.

Book Your 1 Hour FREE confidential, no obligation PHONE or VIDEO consultation today with Ian or Scott by calling toll free at 1-866-747-0660 or fill in the form on this page to send us an email.

Meet Our Stratford Debt Experts

Ian Martin,

Ian Martin is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Consumer Proposal Administrator and Canadian Insolvency and Restructuring Professional (CAIRP). Ian went to school at University of Waterloo, where he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting. Ian has been helping members of his community eliminate their debt problems since 2009. He understands that every one of his clients has a different story and life experience, so he takes his time to put together a customized debt solution for everyone he meets. Outside of work, Ian is a dedicated family man, husband, and part-time baseball coach.

Scott Schaefer, Licensed Insolvency Trustee

Scott Schaefer is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and Consumer Proposal Administrator. Scott has lived in Kitchener-Waterloo since 1993 and he has a deep understanding and appreciation for the challenges faced by individuals in the region and surrounding communities. Scott is eager to give back by providing realistic and cost-effective solutions to debt problems. He finds great reward in seeing his clients succeed at money management and their success keeps him motivated. In his free time, Scott supports various not-for-profit organizations in the community and he is also an avid runner. 

What Our Clients Say

Our concept is simple. If you give us 30 minutes of your time, our knowledgeable, experienced team will help you build a plan to become debt free.

Deborah Ambrose Avatar
Jennifer Kwon was excellent. She was very helpful and gave me all the information I needed, answered all my questions and made me feel okay with doing the proposal. I highly recommend Hoyes, Michalos!
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Deborah Ambrose 12/04/2024
Russ Morin Avatar
Stop wasting your money and time..call this office, they will help you from day one, to the date of discharge. Best experience I've ever had. Mark was amazing and very patient. Found a way to help my life turn for the better and put a stop to endless bills and disgusting interest rates. Now being successfully discharged I'm able to start from scratch and learn from my past mistakes.

Thank you for this chance Hoyes!

Kind regards

Russel.
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Russ Morin 11/30/2024
Mark Parsons Avatar
Very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful in dealing with a stressful situation. Also helped after the entire process was complete. Dealt with Scott Schaefer in the Kitchener/Waterloo office, and would highly recommend him and the Hoyes team if in need of debt help.
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Mark Parsons 11/27/2024

Consumer Proposals in Stratford

A consumer proposal is a legal debt relief solution legislated with the federal government to consolidate and settle your debt for less than you owe.

Here are the top 10 benefits of a consumer proposal.

  1. write-off up to 80% of your debts
  2. stop collection calls
  3. stop a wage garnishment
  4. unfreeze your bank account
  5. legally binding on all unsecured creditors
  6. deals with CRA and payday loan companies
  7. you keep your assets including your tax refund
  8. reduce your monthly payment to something that is affordable
  9. no interest on monthly payments
  10. avoid bankruptcy

Hoyes, Michalos has a 99% success rate for consumer proposals we file. We work with you to craft an offer you can afford.

The cost of a consumer proposal is known upfront. What you pay is exactly, and only, what repayment you negotiate with your creditors at the beginning of the consumer proposal process. Once you complete your payments and the terms of your proposal, your debts are eliminated.

A consumer proposal can only be filed with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee like Hoyes Michalos. Learn how to file a consumer proposal or contact our Stratford team today to talk about how a consumer proposal can help you get out of debt and avoid bankruptcy.

Debt Consolidation vs Consumer Proposal

If you have significant credit card debt, tax debts or other unsecured debts, you may be wondering if a debt consolidation loan, home equity loan or second mortgage are a good option to consolidate your debts.

There are risks with consolidating with a debt consolidation loan. You may have equity but may not qualify for a second mortgage at reasonable rates. 

Our Stratford debt professionals can help you review your debt restructuring options and compare the pros and cons of a new loan or second mortgage with making a formal, debt settlement offer to your creditors through a consumer proposal.

Filing Personal Bankruptcy in Stratford

Personal bankruptcy should be a last resort, but sometimes it is the right solution to help you get out of debt. Our Stratford licensed insolvency trustee can help you decide if filing bankruptcy is the best option to eliminate your debt.

No matter how serious the debt problem, remember there are always debt relief options. At Hoyes, Michalos you always talk to an expert. Consultations are free and we offer flexible appointment times. Call our Stratford experts at 1-866-747-0660 or email us today.

A bankruptcy and consumer proposal can only be filed through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. We are licensed by the federal government to help you deal with debt.

Differences Between Consumer Proposal and Bankruptcy in Stratford

There are two legally binding debt relief plans in Ontario that will allow you and your family the ability to gain a new financial start. They’re known as Personal Bankruptcy and Consumer Proposal. With each of these solutions, you’re provided immediate protection from your creditors, meaning they can’t sue you or contact you. In a consumer proposal, you usually repay only a third of what you owe and you get to keep all of your assets, including tax refunds, investments, and home equity. The greatest benefit to the consumer proposal is that you can avoid bankruptcy, while achieving freedom from your debts.

When you file a personal bankruptcy, your payments vary based on your income and you may have to surrender some assets. A benefit to filing bankruptcy, especially if it’s your first one, is that it can be completed in as little as 9 months. In a consumer proposal, your repayment period can last up to 5 years.

At Hoyes Michalos, we don’t provide a one-size-fits-all solution to your money problems. We take our time and give every one of our clients a tailored plan to pay off their debts and have financial peace of mind.

Stratford Debt Help

Debt problems don’t go away on their own. If you cannot afford to repay your debts on your own, as Licensed Insolvency Trustees we help you explore all your options and choose the solution that is best for you.

Break Free From Credit Card Debt

If you are only making minimum payments on your credit cards it will take you years to pay off your balances, if at all. We can help you consolidate your payments and make a settlement offer that can lower your credit card balances by as much as 70%. Your credit cards are rolled into one reduced monthly payment.

This is not a new loan, it’s a government-approved interest-free debt settlement plan payable over up to five years.

Stop the Payday Loan Cycle

Payday loans cause financial stress because the interest accumulates faster than you can pay it off. Over time this eats away at your paycheque. Once you fall behind, payday lenders use aggressive collection tactics like calling your employer and garnishing your wages.

We can include payday loans in your program and help you break the payday loan cycle.

Get Tax Debt Relief

Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee has the options that can help you reduce your tax debt liability. We can negotiate directly with CRA to create a repayment plan, stop interest and penalties and settle tax debt. If CRA has frozen your bank account or garnished your wages, we can reverse those actions.

Student Loan Debt Forgiveness

Looking for help resolving student loan debt? If you have been out of school for 7 years, your government student loan debt can be discharged through a bankruptcy or consumer proposal.

Eliminate High-Interest Installment Loans

You may have tried to consolidate or pay bills by taking out a high-cost financing loan. While these types of consolidation loans can help you deal with the immediate demand for repayment, they come with an interest rate of 39%, 49% and even 59%.  Installment loans meant for those already in debt or with poor credit just postpone, rather than solve the problem.

Unsecured loans, whether owed to a bank, credit union or financing company can be eliminated with payments determined based on what you can afford.

Why Talk with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee?

If like many of our clients, you are struggling with debt repayment, this is a cycle that is best broken by working with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee near you. We are licensed by the Government of Canada to help you with your debts.

We can help you break free from debt.

If you would like help becoming debt free, call our Stratford debt help team today at 1-866-747-0660.

Call Us Today:

1-866-747-0660

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