For most people who call us, making an appointment with a licensed insolvency trustee (also known as a bankruptcy trustee) is a deeply personal decision. There are often months—sometimes years—of worry, of mental calculations at 3 a.m., of envelopes left unopened. When the phone finally rings at our office, we rarely hear a calm voice. We hear relief mixed with apprehension.
That’s normal. And that is precisely why the first meeting at BRESSE is nothing like the stereotypes we’ve seen in movies or heard through the grapevine. No judgment. No romanticized hype. No decisions to make on the spot. Just a frank conversation, guided by a professional who’s seen it all—and who knows exactly where to start.
Before you come: what you need to know
The meeting is free, confidential and without obligation
This is probably the most important thing to remember. The initial consultation at BRESSE is free of charge. You will not leave the office (or the video conference) with a bill or any additional debt to us. You will not sign anything that you have not freely chosen to sign.
Everything you tell us is also strictly confidential. Licensed insolvency trustees are professionals regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy of Canada. We are bound by strict ethical standards and a duty of confidentiality that protects your entire case file.
What this means in concrete terms
You can come see us just to get a sense of where you stand. Many of our clients leave after the first meeting without filing for bankruptcy: sometimes the solution lies elsewhere (debt consolidation, direct negotiation, a revised budget, or the sale of an asset), and we’ll let you know. Our role isn’t to push you toward bankruptcy. Our role is to give you an honest assessment of your situation.
The BRESSE approach: Recognize, Assess, Act
This first meeting is the hinge between the first two stages of our approach: recognizing the signs of financial difficulty, and clearly assessing your situation to turn uncertainty into a concrete plan.
Step 01 – Recognize. Creditor calls, late payments, mounting tax debts. You’ve already recognized the signs when you booked your appointment.
Step 02 – Evaluate. During the meeting, we will draw up a complete picture of your income, debts and assets. Lucid, without judgment.
Stage 03 – Taking action. If a procedure is the right way to go, you file it when you’re ready. Calls cease as soon as the deposit is made.
This first meeting is the hinge between the first two stages of our approach: recognize the signs of financial difficulty, and clearly assess your situation to turn uncertainty into a concrete plan: what to bring (and what not to bring)
Ideally, you’ll come to the meeting with an idea—even an imperfect one—of your situation. But let’s be clear: we don’t expect a perfect case file. If you’re not sure what you owe or to whom, just say so. A large part of our job is precisely to piece this picture together with you.
Useful documents, if you have them to hand
- Your most recent pay stubs or income statement (self-employed, benefits, pension, etc.)
- Your credit card, line of credit and personal loan statements
- Your notices of assessment (Revenu Québec and Canada Revenue Agency)
- Any letter of formal notice, notice of seizure, judgement or lawsuit received
- An approximate statement of your assets: vehicle, house, RRSPs, bank accounts
- Your latest mortgage notice, if you are a homeowner
And above all: don’t withdraw your RRSP to pay off your credit cards before talking to us. This is one of the most costly mistakes we see. RRSPs are largely protected in the event of insolvency in Quebec. Liquidating them to repay unsecured creditors can literally cost you tens of thousands of dollars. A five-minute call before taking such a step can make all the difference.
Minute-by-minute coverage of the match
First portion: listening
A meeting rarely starts with numbers. It starts with your story. How did you end up here? A divorce? An illness? A business that never recovered after the pandemic? A slow buildup over ten years? The context isn’t just a detail—it directly shapes the solutions that are right for you.
Second section: portrait
The financial advisor will then review your complete financial situation with you—including your income, expenses, debts, assets, and family status. This process typically takes between 45 and 75 minutes, depending on its complexity. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of your situation than you’ve probably had in a long time.
Third section: options are presented
Based on this assessment, the trustee will explain the options that are actually applicable to your situation. Depending on your circumstances, this may include an informal agreement with your creditors, a consumer proposal, personal bankruptcy, or sometimes none of the three if another course of action makes more sense.
Each option is presented to you along with its advantages, disadvantages, costs, timeframes, and real-world implications for your credit history, your assets, and your daily life. No gray areas. No exaggerated promises.
Three myths we hear every week
Myth: “Going to a bankruptcy trustee means filing for bankruptcy.” Reality: Bankruptcy is just one of several options. Many of our clients resolve their financial situation through a proposal or an agreement, without ever filing for bankruptcy.
Myth: “The trustee works for the creditors, not for me. ” Fact: The trustee is an impartial judicial officer. But during the initial meeting, their role is to advise you on the best course of action. And our values—accessibility, attentiveness, and thoroughness—guide this relationship at every step.
Myth: “It’s better to wait for things to sort themselves out.” Reality: The sooner you take action, the more options you’ll have—and the better those options will be. A situation that’s manageable today could turn into a wage garnishment or a lawsuit in six months. Time is almost never on your side when it comes to debt.
The sooner you take action, the more options you’ll have—and the better those options will be. A situation that’s manageable today could turn into a wage garnishment or a lawsuit in six months. Time is almost never on your side when it comes to debt.
What you leave with at the end of the meeting
On exit, you should have three things in hand, even if you decide not to do anything immediately:
- A clear picture of your financial situation, validated by a professional.
- A realistic understanding of your options, without embellishment.
- A renewed sense of control. Not because everything’s settled – but because you now know what you’re looking at, and what you can do about it.
That, in essence, is what the BRESSE tagline means: Support. Structure. Revitalize. Support, from the very first call. Structure, from the very first meeting. Revitalize, when you’re ready.
