Legal debt recovery in Quebec
Debt collection in Quebec follows a legal sequence: a letter of demand, then proceedings before the appropriate court, then enforcement of the judgment. Each step has rules, and each rule can be used strategically. A letter of demand from a law firm signals that litigation is a real prospect, which is often enough to produce payment or a workable arrangement. Where it is not, the file proceeds to the Court of Quebec for claims under 75,000$ or the Superior Court for larger amounts.
This is where a debt collection law firm differs from a collection agency. An agency can call and write. A law firm can sue, obtain judgment, and enforce it against the debtor's assets. We are a bilingual boutique litigation firm recovering commercial receivables, unpaid loans, and contractual debts for creditors across the judicial district of Quebec.
Our "big picture" approach matters most in collection files. Me Adam Eidelmann examines the economic implications of every mandate first: the size of the debt, the debtor's solvency, and the realistic cost of recovery. If a file is not worth pursuing, we say so before you spend money on it. Where recovery makes commercial sense, we move quickly, because in debt collection, speed usually decides who gets paid.
Debtors also behave differently when the creditor's counsel actually litigates. Our litigation practice means a letter of demand from our office is not an empty gesture: proceedings follow if the deadline passes, and the debtor's advisors know it. That credibility resolves many files at the demand stage, which is the cheapest possible outcome for you. It also means that when a debtor raises a contested defence, the file does not need to be transferred to another firm at the moment it matters most.
What we handle:
- Letters of demand: formal notice drafted to produce payment before proceedings become necessary.
- Court proceedings: claims before the Court of Quebec and the Superior Court to obtain judgment against the debtor.
- Judgment enforcement: seizure of assets and garnishment through bailiffs to turn a judgment into money.
- Negotiated payment arrangements: structured settlements that secure recovery without a trial.
- Defended claims: representing creditors when a debtor contests the debt.
- Cross-border recovery: pursuing debtors with assets or operations in Ontario under our dual licensing.
- Preventive advice: payment terms and contractual protections that make future receivables easier to collect.
Why hire Eidelmann Law for debt collection services in Quebec?
Three reasons creditors bring their receivables to our firm.
An honest read before you spend a dollar
Me Adam Eidelmann has managed receivables in his own business. He knows some debts are worth pursuing and some are not, and he will tell you which is which at the consultation stage, not after months of fees.
The full legal toolkit
Because we litigate, your file can move from demand to judgment to seizure without changing hands. We coordinate bailiffs and other professionals around your file when enforcement requires it.
Speed and prescription discipline
Most debt claims in Quebec prescribe three years after the debt becomes exigible, under article 2925 of the Civil Code of Quebec. We track those deadlines and act while your recourse is intact and the debtor still has assets to pursue.
What to expect when you work with us
1. Consultation
We review the debt, the paper trail, and the debtor together, then give you a frank assessment of recoverability and of the realistic cost of each available recourse.
2. Letter of demand
Where appropriate, we send a formal letter of demand setting out the claim, the legal basis, and the deadline to pay. Many files resolve at this stage, which is the fastest and least expensive outcome available.
3. Proceedings
If payment does not follow, we file before the appropriate court and pursue judgment.
4. Enforcement
We execute the judgment through the available recourses, including seizure and garnishment, until recovery is complete or every practical avenue is exhausted. You receive an honest account of progress throughout, including when a recourse stops being worth its cost.
Turn your receivables back into revenue
Every unpaid account is capital your business has already earned. Our firm pursues it with the discipline and urgency it deserves, and tells you honestly when a file has stopped being worth the chase.
Call (514) 538-6966. Bilingual service, confidential consultation.
The information on this page is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every situation is different. Consult a lawyer about the specific facts of your matter.
Common questions about debt collection in Quebec
When should I contact a Quebec debt collection lawyer?
As soon as an account is seriously overdue and your own reminders have failed. Early action matters twice over: the prescription period is running, and debtors tend to pay the creditors who press first. A short consultation early in the file costs far less than discovering, a year later, that the debtor's assets are gone.
What is the cost of a consultation?
Our junior consultation rate is 275$, and a consultation with Me Eidelmann is 450$, plus taxes in both cases. We assess the debt and the debtor and tell you plainly whether recovery is worth pursuing.
How long do I have to collect a debt in Quebec?
Most claims prescribe by three years under article 2925 of the Civil Code of Quebec. Once a judgment is obtained, it can be enforced for ten years. Acknowledgment of the debt by the debtor can interrupt prescription, which is one reason the paper trail matters.
Should I use a collection agency or a lawyer?
They do different things. An agency applies pressure; it cannot take a debtor to court. A lawyer can sue, obtain judgment, and seize assets. For significant commercial debts, legal recourses generally produce better results, and a lawyer's letter of demand is often taken more seriously. Some creditors use both in sequence, moving the file to counsel once agency efforts stall.
How can I recover a debt under 15,000$?
Claims of 15,000$ or less can proceed in the Small Claims Division, where parties represent themselves at the hearing. A lawyer can still advise you beforehand, prepare your file, and handle the letter of demand stage, which often resolves the matter before a hearing is needed.
What if the debtor is in Ontario?
We are licensed in both Quebec and Ontario, so a debtor who operates or holds assets across the border does not put your claim out of reach. We handle the file on both sides without a referral.
