Author Archives: Joel Sandwith

About Joel Sandwith

Joel Sandwith is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee with Hoyes, Michalos & Associates Inc. in London and Sarnia, Ontario. Before joining Hoyes, Michalos in 2009, Joel worked as a Credit Counsellor for Family Services Thames Valley. He brings a wealth of credit counselling and debt management experience to finding solutions for the people he helps get out of debt.

Can A Consumer Proposal Be Better For My Credit Rating?
By Joel Sandwith
13 Jun 2014 | Category: Consumer Proposal in Ontario | (8) comments
does a Consumer Proposal affect my credit rating?

One of the more pressing concerns that many of the people I meet with have is how their choices will affect their credit rating. Specifically, how does a Consumer Proposal affect a credit rating? What is a Credit Rating? First, let’s talk about what a credit rating is. Each ‘trade line’ (place…

Read More

What Happens if You Receive a Gift During Bankruptcy?
By Joel Sandwith
11 Apr 2014 | Category: What You Keep or Lose | Leave a comment
gifts in bankruptcy in ontario

You are in the middle of your bankruptcy and the unexpected happens. You receive a large gift. You don’t remember the trustee telling you about this and you are afraid to call the trustee. What will happen? Your trustee should have discussed this with you before you decided to declare…

Tags:
Read More

Should You Feel Guilty About Filing Bankruptcy?
By Joel Sandwith
28 Mar 2014 | Category: Bankruptcy in Ontario | Leave a comment
Guilty About Filing Bankruptcy

When I started my career in helping people with debt, my first role was as a credit counsellor. I’m now a licenced Bankruptcy Trustee with Hoyes, Michalos and Associates and have been here for about five years. One thing that has remained the same for me this entire time is…

Tags: , ,
Read More

Can Both Spouses File a Joint Bankruptcy?
By Joel Sandwith
14 Feb 2014 | Category: Bankruptcy in Ontario | Bankruptcy FAQ | (2) comments
joint bankruptcy spouse

Debts in a marriage can be incurred separately or they can be considered joint debts. Depending on the unique family circumstances it may be necessary for one, or both spouses, to file for bankruptcy in order to eliminate their individual obligations to repay these debts. A joint bankruptcy happens when…

Tags:
Read More

Does Vacation Pay Affect Surplus Income Calculation?
By Joel Sandwith
03 Jan 2014 | Category: Surplus Income | Leave a comment
vacation pay surplus income in bankruptcy

When someone is bankrupt they are required to complete monthly statements of their income and expenses.  Proof is required of the income for all members of the household and any of what is called non-discretionary expenses, such as medical, support (child and spousal), employment, fines or tickets. All household income…

Tags:
Read More