FAQs

You can keep your vehicle when filing bankruptcy in Wisconsin through
several protections. In Chapter 7, Wisconsin's vehicle exemption currently
protects up to $4,000 in equity per person ($8,000 for joint filers).
If you're current on payments, you can sign a reaffirmation agreement
to keep the vehicle and continue making payments. For vehicles with
non-exempt equity, Chapter 13 often provides better protection,
allowing you to keep your car regardless of equity while paying
creditors the equivalent value through your plan. Some clients even
reduce their car payments through Chapter 13's "cram down" provision
for older loans. During your initial free consultation, we will help you
choose the best strategy to protect your vehicle based on your
specific situation.

Wisconsin bankruptcy can help with certain tax debts, but eligibility
depends on several factors. Generally, income tax debts may be
dischargeable in bankruptcy if they meet specific criteria: the taxes
are at least three years old from the filing deadline, you filed the
returns at least two years ago, the tax assessment is at least 240
days old, and there was no fraud or willful evasion. Recent taxes,
payroll taxes, and most state tax obligations typically cannot be
discharged. Chapter 13 bankruptcy can be particularly helpful by
allowing you to pay non-dischargeable tax debts over 3-5 years, often
without additional penalties and interest. During your free consultation, we can analyze your specific tax situation to determine how we might provide relief from your tax problems.

Yes, filing for bankruptcy in Wisconsin can help protect your home
from foreclosure. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is particularly effective
because it allows you to catch up on missed mortgage payments over
time through your repayment plan while stopping foreclosure
proceedings immediately upon filing. Chapter 7 bankruptcy temporarily
delays foreclosure through the automatic stay but doesn't provide a
long-term solution for mortgage arrears. Wisconsin homestead
exemptions may also protect some or all of your home equity in
bankruptcy. Our Wisconsin bankruptcy attorneys can assess your
specific situation and recommend the best strategy to save your home.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy, often called "liquidation bankruptcy," typically
discharges most unsecured debts within 3-4 months without requiring
repayment. However, you must qualify through the means test, and
non-exempt assets may be sold to pay creditors. Chapter 13 bankruptcy,
known as "reorganization bankruptcy," creates a 3-5 year
court-supervised repayment plan based on what you can afford. Chapter
13 allows you to keep more assets but requires partial repayment of
debts. Both bankruptcy types immediately stop collection actions
through the automatic stay, but they affect your credit differently.
During your free initial consultation, we can help determine which option
best fits your specific financial situation.

Wisconsin Debt Consolidation typically allows you up to 3 years (36 months) to
complete, though some plans may be structured for a shorter timeframe based on
your financial situation and goals.  We will discuss all of that and give you an estimate of payments and time to complete the plan, during your initial consultation.

Yes, Wisconsin Debt Consolidation typically has a less severe impact
on your credit score than bankruptcy. While both options will affect
your credit initially, bankruptcy can remain on your credit report for
up to 10 years (Chapter 7) or 7 years (Chapter 13). Wisconsin Debt
Consolidation generally doesn't appear on your credit report as a
specific negative entry like bankruptcy does. Additionally, many
clients see their credit scores improve during their Debt
Consolidation plan as they consistently make on-time payments and
reduce overall debt. Most of our Wisconsin Debt Consolidation clients
qualify for mortgages and other credit within 1-2 years of completing
their plan, compared to the 2-4 years often needed after bankruptcy.

Wisconsin Debt Consolidation offers better protection for your
co-signers than bankruptcy does. In Debt Consolidation, while you're
making payments through your plan, creditors generally cannot pursue
co-signers for included debts. Upon successful completion of your
plan, your obligation is satisfied, which also releases your
co-signers. In contrast, Chapter 7 bankruptcy offers no protection for
co-signers, who remain fully liable for the debt even after your
discharge. Chapter 13 bankruptcy provides limited co-signer protection
through the "co-debtor stay," but this protection may be temporary,
and co-signers could remain liable for portions of debt not paid
through your plan. If protecting family members or friends who
co-signed for you is important, we can help you choose the option that best protects both you and your co-signers.  Be sure to ask about that during your free consultation.

Other than bankruptcy, there are two main alternatives to Wisconsin Debt Consolidation as offered by The Fields Group: a debt consolidation loan; and debt settlement.

A debt consolidation loan requires you to enter into even more debt and often extends your interest payments, since the amount of interest is highest in the beginning of any amortized loan.  And since your credit probably isn’t the greatest because of your overwhelming debt, you won’t get the lowest rates (as are often promoted by the companies offering these loans)

Another type of debt consolidation loan is a home equity loan or line of credit.  This essentially turns your unsecured debt, like credit cards and personal loans, into debt that is secured by your home!  If you get into trouble in the future, this practice could put your home at risk.

Debt settlement is another option, and one that sounds great on the surface – pay a fraction of what you owe!  The problems with this are numerous, and too complicated to explain fully here.  But the short version is that people rarely have enough money to make these settlements, they can only settle one account at a time, while the others have to wait, and they end up being sued by their creditors while waiting to build up the funds required to get a settlement.  In fact, a large number of our clients come to us because they were in one of these programs and are now getting sued!Debt Consolidation with The Fields Group is different than these other options in that it offers an interest-free payment plan of up to 36 months, and grants protections that are similar to bankruptcy, like prevention of wage garnishment, but without such extreme damage to your credit.

Yes, having stable employment is actually beneficial when filing for
Wisconsin Debt Consolidation. Unlike some misconceptions that debt
relief is only for unemployed individuals, Wisconsin Debt
Consolidation works best for people with regular income who simply
need help managing overwhelming debt. Your stable income allows you to
make consistent monthly payments toward your consolidated debt, often
resulting in better terms and successful completion of your plan. Many
of our Wisconsin Debt Consolidation clients are employed
professionals, skilled workers, and even high-income earners or business owners who have
experienced financial challenges despite good income. Our Wisconsin
debt relief team can structure a plan that works with your
specific income level and expenses.

Most clients begin rebuilding credit during their Wisconsin Debt
Consolidation plan and see significant improvement within 6-12 months
of completion. Unlike bankruptcy, which can remain on your credit
report for 7-10 years, Debt Consolidation has a less severe impact.
Many clients qualify for secured credit cards within months of filing
and for auto loans with reasonable rates within a year of starting
their plan. Mortgage approval is often possible within 1-2 years of
completing your plan, compared to the 2-4 years typically needed after
bankruptcy.

You likely qualify for Wisconsin Debt Consolidation if you're a
Wisconsin resident with regular income and unsecured debts you're
struggling to pay. Unlike bankruptcy, there are no strict income
requirements or means tests to qualify. The primary requirements are
that you have a source of income to make monthly payments, you're
acting in good faith, and you have unsecured debts that can be
included in your plan. The Fields Group can quickly
assess your specific situation, during a free consultation, to determine
if Debt Consolidation is right for you.

Wisconsin Debt Consolidation is a legal debt relief option
specifically available to Wisconsin residents that allows you to
consolidate and repay your unsecured debts through a court-approved
repayment plan. Unlike bankruptcy, this process enables you to repay
what you owe over time (typically 3 years) while protecting you from
creditor actions such as lawsuits, wage garnishments, and harassing
collection calls. Wisconsin Debt Consolidation helps many people avoid
the more serious consequences of bankruptcy while still providing
meaningful debt relief and legal protection.

Choosing between Wisconsin Debt Consolidation, Chapter 7, or Chapter
13 depends on several factors specific to your situation:

Consider Wisconsin Debt Consolidation if:

You want less impact on your credit score
You have primarily unsecured debts
You have sufficient income to make regular payments
You want to protect co-signers
You don't qualify for Chapter 7

Consider Chapter 7 bankruptcy if:

You need immediate relief from overwhelming debt
You have little disposable income after basic expenses
You have primarily unsecured debts
You don't have significant non-exempt assets
You meet the means test requirements

Consider Chapter 13 bankruptcy if:

You need to save a home from foreclosure
You have significant tax debts or other non-dischargeable debts
You have valuable assets you want to protect
You don't qualify for Chapter 7
You need to catch up on secured debt payments

We will analyze your complete financial picture during your free consultation and recommend the best option based on your specific goals, income, assets, and
types of debt.

Yes, you will have a single point of contact throughout the entire process. Unlike some large firms where cases get passed around to various staff and departments depending on their own needs, our client-centered approach ensures the same experienced attorney or paralegal works with you throughout the process. This personalized approach allows us to provide superior representation and reduces stress for our clients during what can be a challenging time. You'll have direct contact information and never have to
wonder who's handling your case.

Our Wisconsin debt relief firm has over 25 years of specialized
experience helping thousands of Wisconsin residents overcome debt
problems. Our attorneys have collectively handled more than 15,000 debt
relief cases throughout Wisconsin, including complex bankruptcies and
Wisconsin Debt Consolidation plans. This extensive experience means
we've encountered virtually every debt situation and know exactly how
to navigate Wisconsin's specific debt relief laws for optimal results.
Our firm focuses exclusively on debt relief and bankruptcy law, rather
than practicing in multiple legal areas, ensuring you receive expert
guidance from attorneys who understand the nuances of Wisconsin debt
law and local and federal bankruptcy court procedures.

For your Wisconsin debt relief consultation, having this information will help us provide the most accurate advice:

Current income
Current bills and collection notices
Credit card statements
Loan documents (mortgage, car, personal loans)
Any lawsuit papers or garnishment notices
A list of all creditors with approximate balances

Don't worry if you don't have everything— we can still provide valuable guidance during your initial consultation and help you gather any missing documents afterward. The
more information you can provide initially, the more specific our
advice will be, about your debt relief options.

Scheduling a free debt relief consultation with The Fields Group is simple and convenient. You can call our office at 414-763-3200, or fill out
our contact form for a prompt response. We offer in-person
consultations at our office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as phone
consultations for your convenience. (No in-person visit is required!)  Our initial consultations typically last about 15-30 minutes, during we will analyze your situation, answer your questions, and recommend personalized solutions. Evening and weekend appointments are available, and we pride ourselves on quick response times.

Certain debts cannot be eliminated through Wisconsin
Debt Consolidation or bankruptcy, including:

Child support and alimony obligations
Most student loans (except in rare hardship cases)
Recent tax debts (generally less than 3 years old)
Court-ordered fines or restitution
Debts from fraud or intentional wrongdoing
Most secured debts (unless you surrender the collateral)
HOA or condo fees (in some cases)
Certain luxury purchases or cash advances made shortly before filing

The dischargeability of specific debts varies between Chapter 7,
Chapter 13, and Wisconsin Debt Consolidation. We will review your specific debts during
your free consultation to provide clear guidance on which obligations can
be addressed through each debt relief option.

No attorney can promise to stop the calls, as we are unable to physically prevent them from doing so; but we can notify creditors immediately upon filing your case with the court. The moment your bankruptcy petition is filed, the "automatic stay" takes
effect, legally prohibiting creditors from continuing collection
actions including phone calls, letters, lawsuits, garnishments, and
bank levies. For Wisconsin Debt Consolidation, similar protections
apply once your case is filed. If you're facing imminent garnishment
or other urgent collection actions, we can often file emergency petitions within 24-48 hours, to provide immediate protection. Even before filing, once creditors know
you're represented by our firm, many will cease direct contact with
you. 

For most Wisconsin Debt Consolidation cases, there is typically no need to
attend a court hearing. For Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must attend one
Meeting of Creditors (341 Meeting), which usually lasts about 10
minutes and rarely involves actual creditors appearing. Chapter 13
bankruptcy requires attendance at both the Meeting of Creditors and a
confirmation hearing for your repayment plan. Our experienced
Wisconsin debt relief attorneys will thoroughly prepare you for any
required appearances and attend all hearings with you, ensuring you
know exactly what to expect and helping the process go smoothly.

Yes, our Wisconsin debt relief law firm offers flexible, affordable
payment plans for all our services. We understand that clients seeking
debt relief are experiencing financial challenges, which is why we
structure our fees to be accessible.  We believe everyone deserves quality legal representation for debt problems, regardless of their current financial situation.
During your free consultation, we'll discuss payment options tailored
to your specific circumstances.

The costs of filing for debt relief in Wisconsin include both attorney
fees, court filing fees, and Trustee fees, which vary based on the type of relief you
choose. During your free consultation, we'll provide a transparent
quote based on your specific situation. Many clients find that the
immediate relief and long-term financial benefits far outweigh these
costs, and we offer payment plans to make our services accessible.

Wisconsin Debt Consolidation typically takes 3 years (36 months) to
complete, though some plans may be structured for a shorter timeframe based on
your financial situation. In comparison, Chapter 7 bankruptcy
discharges debts much faster—usually within 3-4 months—but has
stricter qualification requirements and more significant impacts on
your credit. Chapter 13 bankruptcy typically lasts 3-5 years. Debt
Consolidation offers a balanced approach with reasonable timeframes
and less severe consequences than bankruptcy for many Wisconsin
residents struggling with debt.