★★★★★
"Charla and her team treated me with kindness and respect from day one. I finally feel like I can breathe again. I only wish I had called sooner."
— Sarah
Wage Garnishment Calgary, AB
Having money taken directly from your paycheque before you even see it is one of the most stressful financial situations there is. It affects your ability to pay rent, groceries, and take care of your family. At Charla Smith & Company, we understand the urgency. The sooner you act, the more options you have.
CAN WAGE GARNISHMENT BE STOPPED IN ALBERTA?
Yes, and it can be stopped quickly. Filing a consumer proposal or declaring bankruptcy creates an immediate legal stay of proceedings. This gives your Licensed Insolvency Trustee the power to notify your employer to stop all wage garnishment from unsecured creditors the moment the filing is made, before your creditors are even notified. You do not have to wait for a court hearing or for a creditor to respond.
In Calgary, most creditors must obtain a court judgment before they can garnish your wages. The exception is the Canada Revenue Agency. CRA can garnish wages for unpaid tax debt without a court order, making CRA one of the most urgent imminent garnishment situations to address. If you have received a CRA Notice of Collection, Charla Smith & Company regularly helps Albertans get ahead of a CRA wage garnishment or stop one that is already in place.
Every situation is different. The right solution for stopping the garnishment depends on how much you owe in total and what your income and assets look like. That is exactly what our free financial advice consultation is designed to assess, so you understand all your options before making any decisions, including dealing with debt collectors in Alberta.
BEST DEBT RELIEF SOLUTIONS
Debt happens, and we know there are many reasons why people get into financial difficulty. At Charla Smith & Company, our job is not to judge but to help. We will discuss how to solve your debt problems in a way that respects your dignity and acknowledges your unique circumstances.
Our small team of insolvency professionals provide financial advice and can offer consumer proposals and bankruptcy filings where appropriate.
We’re here to answer questions, guide, and advise you so you can take back control of your financial situation. Complete this contact form or call us at 1-403-899-3890 today for a FREE, no-commitment consultation.
HOW A CONSUMER PROPOSAL STOPS WAGE GARNISHMENT IMMEDIATELY
Benefits
- Legal stay of proceedings takes effect the moment the proposal is filed.
- Stops garnishment from all unsecured creditors, including CRA.
- Stops collection calls, legal actions, and bank account freezes.
- You can keep all your assets, including your home and vehicle.
- All unsecured debts are addressed at once, not just the one creditor garnishing you.
- Payments are structured based on what you can afford, not necessarily what you owe.
Things to Consider
- Affects your credit report negatively.
- Missing more than two proposal payments can result in the proposal being annulled.
- Ongoing maintenance enforcement, including child and spousal support, is not stopped by a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. Those obligations continue.
- Bankruptcy also stops garnishment immediately but has different asset, reporting, and credit implications.
FIND FREEDOM FROM YOUR DEBT
Debt can feel unmanageable and overwhelming and can affect all aspects of your life. It’s easy to feel like there’s no way out of it.
At Charla Smith & Company, we understand the stress caused by unsustainable debt. As a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, we're here to help with financial advice and we can offer relief from your debt through a consumer proposal or bankruptcy.
Your best interests always come first. We listen without judgement and provide unbiased expert advice. Contact us today at 1-403-899-3890 for a FREE, no-commitment consultation, and let us empower you to move forward and take back control of your finances.
WHY CHOOSE CHARLA SMITH & COMPANY?
Trusted Advice
We give you unbiased guidance grounded in our legal duty as Licensed Insolvency Trustees. Your best interests come first always.
Highly Personalized Service
We're a small, local team based right here in Calgary. You'll work with the same people from your first call through to your fresh start.
A Kind, Open-Minded Approach
No judgement, ever. We meet you where you are and focus on empowering you with the information you need to move forward.
What Clients Are Saying
★★★★★
"I came in expecting judgement and got compassion instead. They explained everything clearly and helped me understand my options without any pressure."
— Michael
★★★★★
"Professional, warm, and genuinely on my side. The whole process was much easier than I had imagined. I cannot recommend them highly enough."
— Jennifer
DEBT RELIEF SOLUTIONS TAILORED TO YOUR SITUATION
When facing what may feel like insurmountable debt, you need access to professionals you can trust. Charla Smith & Company provides unbiased advice about your options for debt relief, which, depending on your situation, may include formal insolvency options like a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. Learn more about how we can help you get rid of your financial stress.
Bankruptcy in Calgary, Alberta
Bankruptcy isn’t the end - it’s a new beginning. When your debt becomes unmanageable with little hope of being able to pay it back, bankruptcy may be the answer.
We at Charla Smith & Company, located in Calgary, Alberta, understand the impact bankruptcy can have on you
Consumer Proposal in Calgary, Alberta
If your debt (not including any mortgages on your home) is under $250,000*, a Consumer Proposal may be the best way to get relief. A Consumer Proposal allows you to consolidate your debts while avoiding filing for bankruptcy or losing your assets. You usually repay only a portion of your d
Financial Advice in Calgary - Understand All Your Debt Options
A consultation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee is the foundation of your debt relief plan. It helps us to understand and consider all the factors related to your debt situation so we can assist you with optimal advice and support throughout your journey to debt freedom. During our initi
Yes. The moment a consumer proposal is filed with the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, a legal stay of proceedings automatically takes effect. This gives your Licensed Insolvency Trutsee the power to notify your employer to stop all wage garnishment from unsecured creditors including CRA. You do not need to attend court or wait for a response from the creditor.
Yes. Unlike most creditors, CRA does not need a court order to garnish wages for unpaid tax debt. They can also seize 100% of the funds in your bank account. Filing a consumer proposal or bankruptcy quickly stops this through an immediate legal stay of proceedings. If CRA has issued a Notice of Collection, a wage garnishment can be imminent without you knowing about it.
Under Alberta's Civil Enforcement Act, the first $800 per month of employment income is generally exempt from garnishment, with an additional $200 per month per dependent. There is no exemption on business revenues, including income of a sole proprietor. CRA typically garnishes 30% to 50% of employment income and can take 100% of bank account funds.
Both stop garnishment quickly through an immediate legal stay of proceedings. The difference is what happens after. A consumer proposal lets you keep all your assets and settle for potentially less than you owe through structured payments. Bankruptcy may involve surrendering certain assets but discharges debt entirely. The right choice depends on your unique situation: your family situation, total debt, income, and assets - which is exactly what a free consultation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee will help you determine.
YOUR TRUSTED CHOICE FOR DEBT RELIEF
With our experience and our caring approach, we will help you find the best option for debt relief based on your unique situation - from advice on talking to your creditors to a consumer proposal or bankruptcy, and everything in between. We are here to lift the burden caused by overwhelming debt.
Contact us today at 1-403-899-3890 for a FREE, no-commitment meeting, and let us guide you to regaining your financial footing.
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