When to Call a Bankruptcy Lawyer: 5 Clear Signs

Learn how Chapter 7 bankruptcy law in Waukesha, WI affects your financial future. Call Credit Solutions today at 414-272-0077 for a free consultation.

Discover the benefits of Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Waukesha, WI, with Credit Solutions. Avoid foreclosure. Call now: 1-414-272-0077

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The Bankruptcy Means Test has been used for 10+ years now, but it can still be a source of confusion. Learning what the practical application of this test is, and how it applies to your case is the first step.

How can Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy help in stopping a shut off? Bankruptcy can offer immediate relief if you're facing a utilities shut off, whether it's during winter or any other time of the year. In order to prevent a shut off and file for bankruptcy, you may need to file an emergency petition, which allows you to start the process and halt the utility shut off proceedings. However, it is crucial to complete the remaining forms within 14 days to ensure the viability of your bankruptcy case. Failure to do so could result in the dismissal of your case by the bankruptcy court. Moreover, filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy can also be instrumental in stopping a shut off. Once you have filed for bankruptcy, utility companies are legally prohibited from attempting to collect any outstanding bills, be it through mailed statements, phone calls, or even lawsuits. It is important to note, though, that filing for bankruptcy only protects you from previous debts, and you are still responsible for paying new utility bills after the bankruptcy filing. Contrary to bankruptcy, a Chapter 128 non-bankruptcy does not provide the same relief in preventing a shut off. Chapter 7 bankruptcy offers immediate relief for individuals facing a utility shut off, whether it's during the winter or any other time of the year. In such cases, filing an emergency petition can help prevent the utility shut off process. This petition allows you to initiate the bankruptcy process and halt the utility shut off, with the option to complete the remaining forms within 14 days. However, it's crucial to file the remaining forms within this timeframe to avoid the risk of the bankruptcy court dismissing your case. Once you have successfully filed for bankruptcy, the utility companies are prohibited from attempting to collect any past due bills through mailed statements, phone calls, or lawsuits. This protection provides individuals with a much-needed respite from the burden of overdue utility bills. It's important to note that filing for bankruptcy only shields you from previous debts, and you will still be responsible for paying new utility bills that arise after the filing. Alternatively, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy presents a broader range of benefits for the right situation in addition to stopping utility shut-offs. It allows individuals to catch up on missed mortgage or car payments through a repayment plan, effectively preventing foreclosure or repossession. This chapter also provides the opportunity to safeguard valuable assets that may be at risk in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Moreover, the structured nature of the Chapter 13 repayment plan instills financial discipline by requiring regular monthly payments over an extended period. This promotes responsible financial management and cultivates good financial habits for future stability. What are the requirements for utilities during the winter heating moratorium? In Wisconsin, a winter utility shut off is banned between November 1st and March 31st. Utilities banned from disconnection include water, electricity, sewer, gas, and phone. Electricity and natural gas, in particular, cannot be turned off between November 1st and April 15th. This means that customers who are behind on their bills during this moratorium period are protected from having their heat-providing service disconnected. However, it is important to note that while utilities are prohibited from disconnecting customers during the winter heating moratorium, consumers who have already been disconnected must still make arrangements to pay their outstanding bills in order to have their service restored. Wisconsin law requires utilities to make an effort to contact these disconnected consumers and attempt to get them reconnected. However, it is essential to understand that utilities are not obligated to reconnect service until payment arrangements have been made. Outside of the designated winter months span, utility shut-offs can still be prevented if the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or is predicted to do so. In such cases, utility companies are not allowed to disconnect your service for 24 hours or until the temperature rises above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. To summarize, during the winter heating moratorium period, utilities in Wisconsin are prohibited from disconnecting customers who are behind on their bills, specifically including electricity and natural gas. However, customers who have already been disconnected must make payment arrangements to restore their service. Furthermore, outside of the moratorium period, utility shut-offs can be prevented if the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you have significant debt (such as medical bills or credit card bills ), as well as overdue utility bills you may want to consider filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. When does the moratorium for disconnecting customers begin and end? In Wisconsin, a winter utility shut off is banned between November 1st and March 31st. This means that customers who are behind on their bills during this period cannot be disconnected by the utilities. It is important for consumers who have been disconnected to contact their local utility before the start of the winter heating moratorium, which begins on November 1st and ends on April 15th. By doing so, they can make necessary arrangements to have their service reconnected. During this moratorium, customers can have peace of mind knowing that they will not face disconnection even if they are behind on their bills. It is crucial for consumers to take advantage of this protection and communicate with their utility to ensure uninterrupted service during the winter months.

Since bankruptcy and divorce often go hand-in-hand, there are a lot of questions surrounding the issue. The most common question we get are people asking, “ Should I file for bankruptcy before or after divorce? ” It’s a valid question and the answer is not always black-and-white, but there are some things you should consider when deciding if you should file for divorce first or bankruptcy. Making the right decision for your situation is based on a number of factors, including what state you live in, how much property you own, how much debt you have, and what chapter of bankruptcy you want to file. Below, the Credit Solutions’ bankruptcy lawyers have provided some important information to help you with your decision.

Unfortunately, most people file for bankruptcy because of overwhelming medical debt. They’re either unable to pay off their medical bills, or they put a large chunk of their medical debt on a credit card, which has become impossible to pay off. If you need medical debt relief and bankruptcy looks like the only option, review the information below.

Many people who need debt relief don’t know they can negotiate over the amount they owe. While almost anyone who’s in debt can haggle with a creditor to lower the balance they owe, it’s more beneficial to have a bankruptcy lawyer do it because it yields a better debt negotiation outcome & takes the stress off you. Having Credit Solutions handle your debt negotiation can take hundreds to thousands of dollars off what you owe.

When it comes to major financial commitments, like applying for a home loan, there are various credit score factors that are taken into account. There are 5 credit score categories that can make or break financial opportunities. 1. Payment History: Payment history is one of the biggest credit score factors out there. There are a lot of items factored into assessing your payment history, including: *Missing a payment *Number of missed payments *Time since missed payments *Severity of missed payments Missing 1 payment in ten years is a nothing to worry about as it is a minuscule deduction from your credit score ranking. However, recent missed payments will be weighed heavier. 2. Total Debt: The 2nd largest credit score factor is your total amount of debt. Total debt includes all credit card balances, auto loans, mortgages, and other forms of debt. 3. Length of Credit: The longer you have open credit, the easier it is to determine behavior. 4. Types of Credit: There are 2 types of credit: installment (auto loans and mortgages) and revolving (credit cards). Your credit score is determined by the amount and variety of these credit types. 5. Credit Applications: Every time you apply for a line of credit, your credit history is pulled. Since credit applications are viewed as needing money, the time since your credit history was pulled last is a deciding factor is determining your credit score. Applying for store credit cards to get the additional 15% off sounds like a good idea at the time, but in reality it could be hurting your credit score. It is smart to avoid having lenders pull your credit score unless you are seriously in need of a loan. With a better understanding of credit score factors, you’ll be able to work on building or maintaining good credit. Credit Solutions’ bankruptcy lawyers help thousands of families and individuals get out of debt. We help you find the best way to handle debt and, if needed, we’ll help you file for bankruptcy relief. Our bankruptcy lawyers guide you through the debt relief process from beginning to end, so your finances are manageable again. Set up a FREE consultation now to find the best debt relief plan for you .