Our Process and FAQs

At Doyle Salewski, we go out of our way to make our process as comfortable as possible and to help you achieve financial freedom. You’ll probably have a lot of questions, and your counsellor will as well, so expect to spend one to two hours at your first appointment. If you forget to ask something during the appointment, your counsellor is available by telephone or email.

Ready to get started? Here are answers to common questions regarding your first visit:

Which Doyle Salewski location is best for me?

While Doyle Salewski’s head office is in Ottawa, we have a number of locations throughout Ontario and Western Quebec. Choose the one most convenient to you.

We’re open during regular business hours from Monday to Friday. At our Ottawa and Gatineau offices, we can usually see you within a few days. Counsellor availability at other locations will vary, so it’s best to check directly with those offices. If your wages are being garnished or seized, let our receptionist know and we’ll give you top priority.

What should I have at hand when I call to speak with a counsellor?

Call our Ottawa number at 613-237-5555, or our toll free number at 1-800-517-9926 (or email info@doylesalewski.ca) to speak with one of our professional counsellors and set up your free consultation. We’ll need to know your monthly income, personal expenses, assets, and liabilities so that we can properly advise you. It’s helpful to have this information on hand when you call.

What should I bring?

For your free consultation, you’ll need to bring:

monthly income and expense information such as
- paystubs
- utility bills
mortgage and loan information
credit card statements
information about any other sources of income (Child Tax Credit, disability/pension payments, etc.)
income tax information such as
- unfiled tax returns
- tax assessments
proof of identification

What if I’m operating a business?

If you have a business, you’ll also need the following:

latest financial statement
information on business assets
information on business debts (such as HST, payroll deductions, etc.).

What happens at the first appointment?

Using the information you bring with you, your credit counsellor will review your assets and debts so that he/she can suggest your best options.

Should someone else come with me?

It can be helpful to have another set of eyes and ears present when you meet with your counsellor. If someone has co-signed your debts, you might consider inviting them to attend with you. It’s also good for couples to attend together so that both parties understand the family budgeting and debt-related issues.

How long will it take?

Your first meeting should take between one and two hours. If you’re coming to our Ottawa office and travelling by car, please keep track of your metered parking in order to avoid a ticket.

What does it cost?

Your initial meeting is free, fully confidential, and carries no obligation. If you decide to proceed with any of the options presented to you, your counsellor will determine the cost at that time, based on the choice you make.

Do I need to decide immediately which option I want to use?

No. Once you’ve completed your initial meeting, you’ll have a good understanding of the various options available to you, but you are under no obligation to make an immediate decision. You can call or email your counsellor with additional questions in the days that follow and, with his/her help, decide which solution is best for you when you’re ready. If, however, you discover at your first appointment that you are insolvent (you owe more than you own), you should immediately discontinue your use of credit and make new banking arrangements.

What happens if I decide to proceed with Doyle Salewski?

If you choose to proceed with one of the formal options through Doyle Salewski, you’ll need to meet with your counsellor to sign the appropriate documents. You’ll also meet with a trustee to review and finalize the plan you’ve chosen. This meeting will take from 30 minutes to one hour.

What’s next?

What’s next depends upon which debt settlement option you choose. Find out more about consumer proposals and/or bankruptcies by clicking on the links below.