Consumer Proposals & Debt Relief in Kitchener

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

800 King Street West, Suite 2A
Kitchener, Ontario

Toll Free: 1-866-747-0660

Call us today: (519) 747-0660

Book A Free Consult

Hoyes, Michalos was established in 1999 for one purpose: to help individuals get out of debt and gain a fresh financial start. If you are having trouble managing debt in Kitchener, Ontario, or the surrounding communities of Waterloo, St. Jacobs, Saint Agatha, Elmira, Saint Clements, Bloomingdale, and Conestogo, our professionals are ready to meet with you.

Our Kitchener debt relief location offers the following services:

In our principal office in the heart of Kitchener-Waterloo you will meet Scott Schaefer, a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and Consumer Proposal Administrator with a long history of living and working in the K-W region, and Charlie Kovacs – a Certified Credit Counsellor. They will take the time to understand your situation, and then explain your options to become debt free. Many of our clients come to see us based on referrals from other satisfied clients because of the time and effort Scott and Charlie take to listen to your concerns and develop a plan that will work for you and your family.

“Sometimes people struggling with debt feel like they’re about to tackle a marathon when they’re not ready. My job is to get people ready. We can plan for that marathon; set the goals and steps in place. – Scott”

If you are receiving calls from creditors, barely keeping up with your minimum payment or taking on new debt like payday loans to keep up with old debt, it’s time to deal with your debt.

Book your FREE confidential debt assessment with our Kitchener team by calling toll free at 1-866-747-0660 or fill in the form on this page to send us an email.

Meet Our Kitchener Debt Experts

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. 

Charlie Kovacs BIA Insolvency Counsellor

Charlie, a Certified Credit Counsellor, has been a part of Hoyes Michalos since 2020, transitioning from the London location to the Kitchener office. His diverse roles within the company have provided him with valuable insights into the client experience from various angles. He finds fulfillment in assisting clients with essential financial management skills, credit restoration, and goal attainment while actively pursuing his career growth through enrollment in the CIRP Qualification Program. Outside of work, Charlie takes pleasure in cooking, quality time with friends and family, and outdoor activities.

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.

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
Masuma Mita Avatar
I am Very grateful to Hoyes, Michalos and associates. I am meeting with Scott and he is so helpful. He was helping me with my bugdet, finance and debts. He helped me to get rid off my debt in no time so that I could be able to do a fresh start.I highly recommend whoever is in debt and want to
Do a fresh start and debt free life, please contact them.
read more
Masuma Mita 10/21/2024
Alex Avatar
I filed my consumer proposal with Charlie and I can truly tell you that it was something that I wish I had done years earlier. They treat you with respect and understanding and make sure you know what options are available to you without pressuring you to choose something that you might not be comfortable with. Throughout the entire process I felt like I wasn't being judged nor being taken advantage of and that they were
trying get the best outcome for me when corresponding with the banks. Thanks to them I now have some breathing room to save and am truly grateful to Charlie and everyone at Hoyes, Michalos, & Associates.
read more
Alex 10/04/2024

Find Our Kitchener Bankruptcy Office

DIRECTIONS: Our Kitchener bankruptcy office is located on King Street next to Central Meat Market and across the street from KCI high school. Access to the building is available at both the front and rear of the building. Parking is in the back of the building up close to the back entrance – please use spots marked Hoyes Michalos Visitor Parking. Here is an image to help locate our visitor parking. If you are using public transportation, take the number 7 bus route (Conestoga Station direction) and get off at King/Kitchener Collegiate Institute stop. If you are using the ION light rail service, get off at Grand River Hospital Station and it’s a 6-minute walk to our office, heading south from the stop.

Consumer Proposals in Kitchener

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

Filing Personal Bankruptcy in Kitchener

Claiming bankruptcy in Ontario may be the right option when you’re struggling with debt. It allows you to eliminate most unsecured debts and stop creditor actions like collection calls and garnishment orders. Our licensed insolvency trustees in Waterloo Region provide the expertise you need to make informed decisions about your financial future. We’ll help determine if bankruptcy is appropriate for your situation and explain how it will affect your credit rating and future financial options.

Don’t let debt control your life. Whether through bankruptcy or alternative solutions, there are ways to regain financial stability. Our Kitchener team offers free, confidential consultations at times that work for you.

Remember: Only Licensed Insolvency Trustees can administer bankruptcies and consumer proposals. Our federal licensing ensures we maintain the highest professional standards while helping you navigate debt relief options.

Kitchener Debt Help

Kitchener Licensed Insolvency Trustee location

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 Kitchener team today at 1-866-747-0660.

Office Address

800 King Street West, Suite 2A
Kitchener, Ontario

Toll Free: 1-866-747-0660

(519) 747-0660

Map & Directions