How Alan instantly cleared nearly $20,000 of debt, and found financial peace of mind
Alan*, a sole-income family man in his mid-40s, was quietly struggling with debt accumulated over a decade of raising his kids. A consumer proposal gave him a clear, affordable path forward.
*name changed for anonymity
Safe, secure & confidential
TOTAL DEBT
$30,000
Credit cards & lines of credit
AMOUNT ACCEPTED
$10,200
66% reduction in total debt
MONTHLY PAYMENT
$170
Over 60 months, 0% interest
Alan saved $19,800 through his consumer proposal and went from financial overwhelm to a clear, debt-free plan within weeks of filing.
Client profile
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Age: Mid-40s
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Province: Ontario
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Employment: Full-time, office administration
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Family: Married, two teenage children
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Income: Single-income household
The situation
Alan came to Harris & Partners as the sole breadwinner for a family of four. Over the course of roughly a decade working in office administration and raising two teenagers, debt had quietly accumulated across two credit cards and a line of credit, totalling $30,000.
He was still current on his payments, but the rising cost of living had made it impossible to keep up. He looked into debt consolidation but couldn’t qualify. With no other viable options on the table, Alan needed a solution that would provide lasting relief without the long-term effects of bankruptcy.
Why did he choose a consumer proposal?
Alan had no prior insolvency filing and wasn’t behind on his payments, which made a consumer proposal the perfect fit for him and his creditors. It offered meaningful debt reduction and immediate legal protection, all without needing to declare insolvency.
What this meant for Alan
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Nearly $20,000 of debt was cleared, resulting in a final sum of $10,200.
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A monthly, interest-free payment of $170 was organised over 60 months.
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Creditor pressure immediately stopped upon filing
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He kept his clean credit record, as he didn’t need to declare insolvency.
Alan’s path to debt relief
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18 December 2025
Alan got in touch just before Christmas last year for his initial consultation after a recommendation from a friend.
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20 January 2026
After only a few weeks into the new year, a stay of proceedings had taken effect, legally halting pressure from his creditors and giving them 45 days to choose whether or not to accept the proposal.
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6 March 2026
Both creditors accepted the proposal without negotiation. During this time, Alan had been making monthly payments of $170, which we were holding in a trust while the creditors came to their decision.
All payments made since January were applied directly to Alan’s renewed amount of $10,200, and he continues his 5-year path to a debt-free life.
The outcome
With his proposal accepted and a manageable monthly payment in place, Alan felt immediate relief. As the sole financial provider for his household, the weight of unmanageable debt had been a major source of stress. Having a structured, realistic plan that he could actually afford changed everything.
He is now on track to be entirely debt-free within five years, with no interest accumulating and no creditor pressure hanging over him.
“The team was helpful and kind. I feel relieved that I can live my life without debt stress.”
— Alan, Ontario
Key case details
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Debt type: Credit cards ($15,000) and line of credit ($15,000)
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Number of creditors: 2
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Debt accumulated over: ~ 10 years
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Proposal term: 60 months at 0% interest
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Creditor vote result: Automatically accepted
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Total debt forgiven: $19,800 (66% of original balance)
Example Savings With Harris & Partners Debt Relief
Your Potential Debts:
Your monthly repayments over a 60-month period would be
Before Help
$1409
After Help
$210
Monthly payments are determined based on individual financial factors
How much Could I Save
Why choose us for consumer proposals in Canada
Our Licensed Insolvency Trustees provide a customized service that could remove up to 80% of your debt and stress, so you can breathe easier.
Our multilingual team provides support in many languages, from Farsi and Portuguese to Italian and Tamil, leaving out complicated jargon, so you understand everything, every step of the way.
Want to speak to someone in person? Our team is on hand to help at a Harris & Partners office near you.
Still unsure?
It’s never too late to get help with your debt. Book a free, no-obligation consultation with our Licensed Insolvency Trustees in Ontario to get started.
Most people feel anxious before calling. That’s completely normal. You’re not alone!
Contact information
It’s never too late to obtain debt help. Book your free consultation today
It's never too late to obtain debt help. Book your free consultation today
- Phone number
- 800-268-8093
- hello@harrispartners.ca
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