Few people have the ability to put you immediately at ease from the outset of a conversation. Tim Geary is one of those rare people. As the newest addition to our senior team, Tim heads up Fuller Landau's Consumer Insolvency division, bringing with him over 25 years of expertise in the field.

A Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Tim was formerly a sole-practitioner of a highly-regarded consumer debt management firm, Geary & Company Ltd., which he founded in 1990. Since that time, he has gained a well-deserved reputation for his genuine, empathetic, and results-oriented approach to working with clients in financial stress.

Over the years, you've helped thousands of clients find relief from their debt, at Geary & Company Ltd. Why did you ultimately decide to merge with Fuller Landau, a mid-sized professional services firm with offices in Toronto and Hamilton?

This is a time of economic uncertainty and difficulty for many people, and as a result, consumer debt is at an all-time high. Every day, I meet with people who are experiencing financial difficulties and great amounts of stress and anxiety. The burden of debt is all-consuming, and they come to me looking for solutions. I take my commitment to providing personalized and one-on-one client service very seriously, and it's important that I have the capacity to help each client accordingly. By joining the team at Fuller Landau, we broaden our access to resources and expertise, and my clients continue to benefit from attentive service.

Why Fuller Landau?

Fuller Landau has an outstanding reputation in the marketplace and has been in business for over 50 years. In addition to accounting, tax and business advisory services, they have also provided corporate restructuring and insolvency services for a number of years. For a firm that has always been on the lookout for opportunities to grow strategically, launching a consumer insolvency division was a natural extension of their service offering. Fuller Landau already has a number of Licensed Insolvency Trustees on the team, and I'll be working closely with them to resolve the financial difficulties of our customers. It's a team that I feel very good about. We share the same values when it comes to putting the client first, and getting results. It's a great fit, and I'm excited about what's to come.

So what exactly is your approach, when working with a customer in financial distress?

First and foremost, I make a concerted effort to understand my customer's specific situation. This is likely a very difficult time in their lives, and they need someone who can listen attentively and without judgment. Many clients assume that bankruptcy is their only course of action, but that's not the case. A variety of options exist for resolving debt. My objective is to carefully explain each option, and help the customer understand which option is best for them. As Licensed Insolvency Trustees, my team and I at Fuller Landau are fully equipped to move forward with the best solution, whether it be filing for bankruptcy, negotiating a consumer proposal, advising on debt consolidation, or simply counselling them on sound credit management. Ultimately, our goal is to help them get a fresh start, and take back control of their lives.

So what changes, and what stays the same?

My staff and I will continue to operate at the same location on Bay Street as Fuller Landau's consumer insolvency division, until the New Year. At that point, we'll relocate to Fuller Landau's existing Toronto office at Bloor/Avenue, to join the rest of the consumer insolvency team. I will continue to be responsible for current client files and my availability for consultations and inquiries remains unchanged. Going forward, clients will benefit from the additional team resources at Fuller Landau. Our commitment to providing personalized and attentive service – while finding solutions – is unwavering.

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