Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Oshkosh, WI

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Bankruptcy in Oshkosh, Wisconsin is a court process which allows an individual or business who is drowning in debt to be relieved of their legal requirement to pay off some or all of their debt. Hopefully, this will allow both the debtor and creditors to move on with their lives. Of course, one should never view bankruptcy as a "get out of debt free" card, allowing someone to be relieved of their requirement to pay their debts just because they don't want to. It is meant to serve as a lifeline, preventing uncontrollable debt from resulting in complete financial ruin. Accordingly, it is best treated as an option of last resort, because it can carry with it significant negative consequences, which must be weighed against the possible benefits. For example, filing for bankruptcy can heavily damage a person's credit rating.

Therefore, it is advisable to consult with an experienced Oshkosh, Wisconsin bankruptcy attorney, who can advise you of the costs and benefits of bankruptcy. Because the decision to file for bankruptcy depends very heavily on the facts of each individual case, the advice of an Oshkosh bankruptcy attorney cannot be replaced.

Types of Bankruptcy in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

In Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 3 types of bankruptcy procedures are in common use: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13. Being governed by federal law, the procedures involved in filing for bankruptcy in Oshkosh, Wisconsin will be roughly the same as everywhere else in America. Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires the debtor to liquidate some of his or her assets in order to pay off as much debt as possible. Once the sale of the assets is verified, and the proceeds handed over to the creditors, the debt is perceived as discharged. Liquidation is basically selling assets to the highest bidder. Not all of the debtor's assets will need to be sold, and many types of property are totally or partially exempt, including homes, cars, retirement accounts, and insurance policies. This means that the debtor can keep them. It should be noted that some types of debts are not dischargeable in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, including student loans, criminal fines, taxes, and child support payments. Even when the bankruptcy process is complete, these debts will have to be paid in full.

The other form of bankruptcy most commonly used in Oshkosh is Chapter 13. It allows a person to pay off their debt over a longer period of time, often consolidating it into one periodic payment. In this system, the amount of money the debtor owes is not actually reduced, but the payment of the debt is made far more manageable. This gives the debtor some breathing room, allowing him to continue to earn a living while slowly paying down his debts, and gives some security to creditors that they will eventually collect all or most of what they're owed. Although it can be used by individuals, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is used almost always by businesses. Not unlike Chapter 13, Chapter 11 focuses on restructuring of debt, rather than discharging it. Chapter 11 requires that the debtor come up with a reorganization plan designed to reduce debt and cut costs. Before being implemented, this plan must be approved by a majority vote of participating creditors.

One advantage of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that it allows a business going through it to continue operating, and to trade its stock.

How Can a Oshkosh Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

The decision to file for bankruptcy in Oshkosh is not one to be made easily, and it definitely should not be made without first obtaining the advice of an experienced Oshkosh bankruptcy attorney.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Oshkosh

Oshkosh, Wisconsin is a city in Winnebago County. According to a Census estimate from 2007, its population is approximately 64,000 people.

Oshkosh is named the Menominee Chief Oshkosh, whose name means "claw" in the Menominee language. He was one of the first Native Americans in the area to make contact with European settlers and fur traders in the 18th Century.

During the early 19th Century, the area gradually grew as a trading post for furs, meat, and other natural resources that were abundant in the frontier. By the mid-19th Century, the industrial revolution was underway, and Oshkosh, Wisconsin's economy boomed thanks to its abundant lumber, and the building boom brought on by industry. The presence of navigable waterways and, later, the arrival of a railroad made the area even more attractive for this industry.

Modernly, Oshkosh is a fairly quiet city, with a large number of residential neighborhoods. Its economy is faring relatively well, compared to other cities in the region, doing slightly better than the national average in several indicators, such as unemployment and the percentage of people below the poverty line.

If you live in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and have a legal issue, it's likely that there's an attorney who can handle it, no matter how complicated or simple it is. Oshkosh, Wisconsin lawyers can handle just about any case you can throw at them.