Insights Hub
Money, Debt & Enforcement
Practical steps for recovering money owed in Ontario — invoices, debt collection, interest, settlement, payment plans, judgments and enforcement.
Being owed money is one of the most common contract problems Ontario residents and businesses face — and one of the most frustrating, because a valid claim doesn't automatically translate into payment.
This hub covers the practical sequence most recoveries follow: documenting what's owed, escalating through a demand letter, understanding your options if the debtor doesn't respond, and what enforcement actually looks like after a court judgment.
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More guides in this hub
Debt Collection in Ontario: Your Rights and the Rules Collectors Must Follow
What debt collectors in Ontario are and aren't allowed to do, and how the collection process typically unfolds.
Enforcing a Judgment in Ontario: Turning a Court Order Into Payment
What happens after you win a claim, and the tools available to actually collect on a judgment.
Related Tools
Practical tools for this topic
Limitation-period guide
A plain-English walkthrough of Ontario's general time limits for contract claims.
Demand-letter checklist
The core elements a demand letter typically needs to be taken seriously.
Unpaid invoice recovery guide
A sequence of practical options, from a polite reminder through to court.
FAQ
Money & Enforcement: frequently asked questions
Can I charge interest on a late payment?
If your contract specifies an interest rate, a reasonable, clearly disclosed rate will generally be enforced. Where the contract is silent, courts can apply default rates under the Courts of Justice Act.
Is it worth hiring a collection agency?
It can be, particularly for smaller amounts where court costs and time may outweigh the benefit. Collection agencies operating in Ontario must follow rules under the Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act.
What court handles unpaid debt claims in Ontario?
Small Claims Court generally handles claims up to its monetary limit, while larger or more complex claims are handled by the Superior Court of Justice.
Does winning a court case guarantee I get paid?
No — a judgment confirms what's owed, but you may still need to take enforcement steps, such as garnishment or a writ of seizure and sale, if the debtor doesn't pay voluntarily.
Understand your agreement. Know your next step.
Ontario-wide, plain-English contract law information — built to help you make sense of your situation before you decide what to do next.