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Our process

From the first moment you call or walk through our doors, you are treated with respect, dignity and compassion.

You, and many people like you, may be suffering from the burden of anxiety associated with debt problems. Fear and stress can even keep you from making your first call to Doyle Salewski. We understand and we want you to feel at ease and encouraged.

When you make your initial contact, you’ve made an important first step! You’ve called Doyle Salewski to discuss your situation. A short conversation with one of our seasoned professional debt counsellors may help to bring clarity and an immediate solution to your situation.

A free, no obligation and confidential appointment is scheduled to analyze your financial situation so that a wider range of options can be explored. You should bring along information and paper work that will assist you and your counsellor to work together towards a solution to your financial difficulties.

Whether you’ve done research into our services or not, you will probably have lots of questions. Your counsellor will have questions as well, so be prepared to spend between one to two hours with your counsellor. If you forget to ask something during the appointment, your counsellor is available by telephone or email.

We go out of our way to make this process as comfortable as possible, so that you will achieve financial freedom.  Our process steps are listed below.

“… When I made the decision to seek consultation… I sat down, with reluctance, and opened the Yellow Pages to chose a company.  The fact that I was able to speak to a receptionist and make an appointment immediately indicates that the personal touch is still very important… (The counsellor) recognized how uncomfortable I was and… (with) patience, encouragement and diligence, she was able to resolve my situation. I left your offices feeling confident towards my future… NP”

Gather your paperwork and look at your monthly budget

Many people have been dealing with the effects of debt stress for a long time, and others see problems developing on the horizon. Regardless of where you are in the process, you are aware of your financial situation and you realize that you might need some help.

Look us up/which office is best

Doyle Salewski offers free, no obligation and confidential appointments in a variety of locations throughout Ontario and Western Quebec. Choose the location that will best serve your requirements.

Make the call and don’t be afraid to speak with a counsellor

Call our toll free number  at 1-800-517-9926 and speak with one of our professional debt counsellors. Your counsellor will want to know about your monthly income and personal expenses, as well as your assets and liabilities. It’s helpful to have this information on hand when you call.

When are you able to see me?

We operate during regular business hours from Monday to Friday. At our Ottawa and Gatineau offices, we are ordinarily able to see you within a few days of your first call; availability at other locations will vary.

What should I bring with me?

Your counsellor will ask you to bring more detailed information about your assets and debts, monthly income and expenses, income tax information, and some form of identification.

What about tax information?

Often personal income tax debt is a portion of your debt. Your counsellor would like to see income tax returns that are ready to be filed or assessments you have received from Canada Revenue Agency.

Are you operating a business?

If you have been operating a business, bring the latest financial statements that you have on hand, together with information on business assets and debts (such as HST, payroll deductions, etc.).

Should someone else come with me?

Sometimes it is 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 is good for couples to attend together so that both parties gain understanding of family budgeting and debt-related issues.

How long will it take?

Your first meeting should take between one and two hours. If you are coming to our Ottawa office by car, and taking advantage of the metered parking near our offices, make sure to keep track of when your parking time will expire.

What does it cost?

Your initial meeting is free and confidential. You are under no obligation to follow any of the options that are presented to you. If you decide to proceed, the cost will be determined by the option you choose.

Working with your counsellor to find a solution

Once you have completed your initial meeting, you will know and understand the various options available to you. You may know how you want to proceed but you aren’t obligated to decide right away. You can call or email your counsellor with questions that come to mind in the days that follow. As you work with your counsellor, you will be able to arrive at a solution that is best for your situation. If you discover that you are insolvent (you owe more than you own), you should discontinue the ongoing use of credit and make new banking arrangements.

Signing the documents

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

What’s next

Your next step will depend upon the option that you chose.