Free Consultation with an Experienced Debt Professional
At LCTaylor, we are proud to offer a free consultation to anyone who is looking to speak with an experienced professional about solutions to debt problems. Whether the consultation is for themselves, a loved one, a business that they have an interest in, or any combination thereof, we are happy to offer our time to meet with them and discuss the options that are available.
Many of the people who call us do not begin the conversation by saying “I want to file a Consumer Proposal” or “My business needs to file for Bankruptcy”. More often, they are calling because it feels like their debt is insurmountable and have come to the realization that they need to talk to an expert about how they can put the debt behind them and move forward towards a stronger financial future. The free financial advice provided during a consultation with LCTaylor can help with that.
How do I know if I would benefit from a free consultation?
Anyone who has concerns about their level of debt may benefit from a free consultation with LCTaylor. Debt can weigh heavily on your mind and impact your quality of life in non-financial ways on top of the obvious financial constraints that it places on your lifestyle. We have been told countless times that it felt like a weight was lifted off someone’s shoulders and/or they slept better at night following a free consultation with one of our debt professionals.
Some specific warning signs that should cause you to consider seeking debt help include:
- Not being able to afford to make more than the minimum payments on your debt
- Having to borrow money to pay your bills
- Constantly having to use an overdraft to get by
- Being declined for a loan, line of credit or credit card due to your debt-to-income ratio being too high
What are the benefits of a free consultation?
The main benefit of a free consultation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) such as LCTaylor is that you have the opportunity to discuss your options with an individual who clearly has expertise when it comes to debt solutions. LITs are the only people in the country licensed by the federal government of Canada to file Consumer Proposals and Bankruptcies, as well as act as receivers and monitors in a filing under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.
This is because LITs are recognized as having gone through an exhaustive training and evaluation process, including a lengthy written examination and an oral examination in front of a panel of subject matter experts convened by the Government of Canada. This certification system ensures that LITs have the necessary training, skills and experience to properly advise individuals and businesses on how to solve their debt problems. Given the opportunity to obtain the insight of someone with this level of knowledge regarding the solutions to the issue that you are facing, at no cost to you, why would you not?
Am I obligated to use your services if I do a free consultation with you?
No. Our free consultations do not come with any obligation to have further dealings with us. In fact, a common outcome of our free consultations is that the debtor leaves with some suggestions from us on how to handle their debt on their own, and we never hear from them again.
After having reviewed the situation, we sometimes suggest things such as changes to your household budget, debt consolidation through the use of home equity, or other solutions that don’t require further involvement from an LIT. You may also be given some tips on how to interact and communicate with your creditors. Even if you do decide that your best option is to offer your creditors a Consumer Proposal or file for Bankruptcy, you are under no obligation to make that filing with us.
Do I have to come into the office or can the free consultation be conducted virtually?
We believe that there are benefits to meeting in person at our office in Winnipeg, but there is no requirement to do so. By meeting face to face you can get to know the LCTaylor team member who is reviewing your situation, and have a direct conversation. That also includes non-verbal communication, and “look us in the eye” and gain confidence that we are a legitimate, professional organization with a fully-staffed physical office in your home province.
That said, we recognize that an in person meeting is not convenient or even possible for some people, so we do offer the free debt help consultations by telephone and videoconferencing such as Zoom or FaceTime as well as in person at our office at 386 Broadway in Winnipeg.
Will anyone know that I’ve met with you?
The free consultation with us is an informal meeting. Simply meeting with us does not establish a formal relationship with our office. As such, there is no notification sent to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy or your creditors.
This also means that you do not obtain any legal relief from your creditors from the free consultation alone. That sort of relief only comes following the signing and filing of a Consumer Proposal or Bankruptcy.
Will you judge me on how I came to be in my situation?
Absolutely not. Our office has been doing free consultations for debt relief since 1992. In this time, we have met with tens of thousands of people – each of whom has their own story of how they found themselves in a situation that called for a conversation with us. We know that it can happen to anyone through no fault of their own.
Regardless of what happened in your life prior to your free consultation, judging you or your situation is not going to help anyone. What we do is assess the current situation and offer solutions for getting your financial life back on track.
What can I expect during my free consultation with LCTaylor?
You will meet with one of our friendly and knowledgeable debt solution professionals, either in-person, by videoconference, or over the phone. We will be open-minded and non-judgmental.
It can be beneficial to bring some documentation, but it is not required. Documents that may be helpful to bring include a recent pay stub or other proof of income, bills or legal notices you may have received, and a summary of your estimated debts.
After reviewing any documentation you have brought in and asking you some questions to obtain key information such as your household income and expenses, what you have for assets, and the nature of your debts, we will carefully consider your situation – then provide some thoughtful suggestions that may provide a solution to your unique situation.
The appointments usually last for around one hour, but there is no time limit to the consultation. We welcome as many questions as you need in order to have a full understanding of the options that are available to you, as well as the pros and cons of each.
As mentioned previously, there will be options discussed that are not a Consumer Proposal or a Bankruptcy. You can expect that at the end of the conversation you will have a better understanding of the situation that you are in, and in most cases you will have been provided a feasible solution to your predicament. Many people tell us that the hardest part is gathering the courage to make the call for the free consultation, and that once they have met with LCTaylor they feel mental relief and a weight off of their shoulders.
Do you offer free consultations for business owners as well?
Yes, we certainly do. Just as we are happy to offer our expertise at no cost to people facing difficulties with personal debt, we encourage you to reach out to us if your business is overburdened with corporate debt.
We will ask you about the debts, income and assets of the business, as well as any other pertinent facts, and give the situation careful consideration. We will then discuss the options that are available to the business and outline the merits of each. The legislative solutions to corporate debt are similar to what exists for personal debt.
If you believe that your business has a viable long-term future but is burdened by debt from past issues, you may want to consider making a proposal to your creditors that will allow your company to continue as a going concern. On the other hand, if you do not feel that the business has the potential to be profitable going forward it may be that assigning your business into Bankruptcy is the appropriate solution.
Additional informal alternatives may exist as well. During your free consultation with LCTaylor we will ensure that you are aware of your options so that you can make the best decision available for your unique situation.
How can I book my free consultation with LCTaylor?
There are two easy ways to book your free consultation with LCTaylor. You can call us at 204-925-6400 or 1-800-463-8371 outside of Winnipeg. Alternatively, you can email us at questions@lctaylor.net.
We have a team of debt professionals that are available to consult with you, so it is usually possible to book an appointment the same day or the day following your contacting us. Don’t hesitate to take that first step in dealing with your debts an contact us today to learn about your options.
