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Wisconsin Collections Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Collections and Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Why won't a collection agency reissue satisfaction or payoff after bankruptcy?

I had a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharged in September 2021, and I'm currently going through a mortgage application process. During the title search, a judgment that was included in the bankruptcy appeared. I contacted the Wisconsin collection agency that held the judgment, but they are... View More

David S. Burleson
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answered on Jun 26, 2025

If you received an Order of Discharge in your bankruptcy case, then you can apply to have the judgments satisfied using your bankruptcy paperwork. There are several documents to prepare and file with the county where the Judgment is located starting with an Application for Order of Satisfaction of... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Collections and Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Why won't a collection agency reissue satisfaction or payoff after bankruptcy?

I had a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharged in September 2021, and I'm currently going through a mortgage application process. During the title search, a judgment that was included in the bankruptcy appeared. I contacted the Wisconsin collection agency that held the judgment, but they are... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Jun 26, 2025

In my state, PA, a final judgment becomes a lien when properly filed. And after the bankruptcy "preference" (90 days preceding bankruptcy filing) and "fraudulent conveyance" (2 years federal and up to four years a "state law") has passed, that judgment lien becomes... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Can debt collectors lie to family about contact info in Wisconsin?

I have a recognized debt, and a debt collector harassed me through emails and spoof numbers. Recently, they contacted my brother, falsely stating that I listed him as a second contact. They have not used threatening language, just persistent calls and emails. Is it legal for the debt collector to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 10, 2025

No, it is not legal for a debt collector to knowingly lie to your family member by claiming you listed them as a contact if that isn’t true. Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors are restricted in what they can say to third parties. They are only allowed to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Public Benefits for Wisconsin on
Q: Can't afford to pay a medical debt of $1,445 received in collections.

I have a medical debt of $1,445 that I cannot afford to pay due to other medical bills. The debt was from December 2022, and I received a collection notice in April 2025. Upon requesting debt validation, I received an itemized bill but have had no other contact with the creditor or collection... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 12, 2025

You have several options for dealing with this medical debt, even though your financial situation makes full payment impossible right now. Since the debt is from December 2022 and you're just now receiving collection notices in April 2025, you're still well within the statute of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Options for unpaid medical debt in Wisconsin after receiving collection agency notices.

I have a medical debt of $1,445 in collections. The initial charges were from December 2022, and I received notice from a collection agency in April 2025. I requested debt validation and received an itemized bill. I got a second notice in May 2025. I haven't had any other contact with the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 1, 2025

You're not alone—many people face the stress of medical debt, especially when it lands in collections. Since you've already requested and received debt validation, you’ve taken an important step to protect your rights. Now that you know the debt is legitimate, the next focus is on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: How to stop debt collector from contacting my family?

I am dealing with a debt collector who has contacted my family members over ten times in the past two months, despite me having sent two emails requesting them to stop. The debt collector has provided the name of their company, and I have documentation of their calls and my emails. What steps can I... View More

Matthew McKenna
Matthew McKenna
answered on Mar 6, 2025

Contact a consumer protection attorney in Wisconsin familiar with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Keep all of the records you have available to provide to the attorney. Let me know if you have any questions.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Wisconsin on
Q: Am I obliged to provide any of my mother's information (address, that she is alive, etc) to a debt collector?

The debt collector is the original provider (not a third party).

The supposed debt is 5 years old.

My mother is 79, and in poor health, but she is very much alive.

There was a recent obituary for a matching name, so they may be pursuing a possible estate.

I have a... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Aug 28, 2024

You have no obligation to give any information or even to speak with them.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Wisconsin on
Q: Can creditor take your Social Security?

Social Security is the only income and there are no assets

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on May 11, 2024

No.

But you may have to timely file a claim of exemption.

2 Answers | Asked in Collections, Insurance Bad Faith, Car Accidents and Small Claims for Wisconsin on
Q: Insurance fraudulent filings & collection = eternal servitude?

In 2016 I gave my child a vehicle. They were instructed to register it and get insurance. They did neither. Instead they were rear-ended, causing them to rear-end another while at a dead stop. In 2017 my child and myself were sued. 3 months later the suit was dropped, I assumed because my child... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Jan 13, 2024

You are on the hook. Whatever you are paying apparently isn't reducing the principal. I fail to understand why plaintiff's attorney will not provide you a balance. What they won't do is send you a monthly statement.

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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law and Collections for Wisconsin on
Q: What is the best approach to negotiate with a collection agency after garnishments have been issued?
J. David Krekeler
J. David Krekeler
answered on Jun 3, 2023

A: There is no single best approach to negotiating with a collection agency. How you proceed will depend upon the facts and circumstances.

But there are some basic considerations. Always start with goals. what are you hoping to accomplish? What is it that your opponent wants? Perhaps more...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for Wisconsin on
Q: Why would i have a bankruptcy on my record if ive never filed for one as im only part way through my 20's...

Just trying to fix my credit and understand things to be able to take the next steps to fix these things.

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Dec 31, 2022

About fifteen years ago, one of the lawyers in my regional US Trustee's office told me the latest thing used by unscrupulous debtors was to use a social security number that was maybe one digit off/erroneous. The reason was to fool the system so that the bankruptcy would be noted on someone... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Collections, Native American Law and Probate for Wisconsin on
Q: My friend died. Can her siblings just give me all of her possessions?

She was estranged from her siblings. They don't want to deal with any of the things that need to happen after someone dies. They've told me I can have her possessions; I know she does not have anything of much value. Is there a way that I can take over here final affairs from the... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Apr 18, 2022

It is difficult to answer your question without knowing exactly what comprises your friend’s estate. But, yes, it is possible for you to be appointed by the court to handle the distribution of her estate. That will probably require the siblings to sign consents. Also, understand that you will... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Collections for Wisconsin on
Q: Can my fiance's charged-off debt come to me once we are married?

My fiance has a bad auto debt with his ex-wife. She got the vehicle in the divorce. However, failed to make the payments. The account shows on my fiance's credit report as Charged-off with a $0 balance.

Jane E. Probst
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Jane E. Probst
answered on Mar 4, 2021

Your fiance's premarital debt is her debt, and not yours. Any debt she brings into the marriage is hers. Absent a prenuptial agreement, any debt you accumulate during the marriage will be joint.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Traffic Tickets for Wisconsin on
Q: Can the state of Wisconsin Dept of Rev collect on a 8 year old traffic violation? I just received notice.

I was an out of state commercial driver.

Michael Hayes
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Michael Hayes
answered on Mar 24, 2020

Yes. In Wisconsin a judge can order indefinite income tax refund intercept if the ticket is not paid by the deadline set in court, usually within 60 days of judgment.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Wisconsin on
Q: Have a wage garnishment. The amount of judgmenta was 5,749.27. Have paid 11,297.98 to date.

Recieved a letter saying it has been closed and no further payments are to be made. Just received another letter that they are garnishing my wages for 3,620.04...is this legal?

Nathan DeLadurantey
Nathan DeLadurantey
answered on Oct 29, 2019

Gather up those letters and get them to a consumer lawyer for a free consultation. They should offer you a free consultation to review the documents and determine if you've been garnished too much money.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Wisconsin on
Q: I was given false information from my debt collection company and advised to drop a collection due to the other law firm

telling my attorney I was deceased. I was told I should drop them for now and we could add them in later. Now I am being garnished by this collection at a higher price then the agreed settlement amount. Do I have any stance to go after my debt assistance company?

Nathan DeLadurantey
Nathan DeLadurantey
answered on Oct 1, 2019

It is hard to say based on your question; but it certainly sounds like you may have a case. I would recommend you get a free phone consultation with a Wisconsin consumer lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Collections and Elder Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Can the State of Wisconsin garnish a persons pension payment? I'm 69, receive SocSec and a small pension from UPS.
Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Jul 24, 2019

As is usually the case when open-ended questions like yours are asked by non-lawyers the answer will be "It depends."

In this case it depends upon the reason for the wage garnishment. If Wisconsin law allows the state to garnish wages in certain cases (like failure to pay...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Wisconsin on
Q: what is statute of limitations on credit card debt. Last used 2010. Wanting payment in full 2018

Was sent to prison 2010. Wife ran card up to over $6000 without my consent. Now in 2018 credit card company is demanding payment in full. No judgment in past and haven’t heard about it until last 6 months

Nathan DeLadurantey
Nathan DeLadurantey
answered on Oct 16, 2018

It's 6 years from the time of default. However, you may be liable for the debt incurred by your wife. Call a consumer lawyer in Wisconsin and get a free consultation.

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims and Collections for Wisconsin on
Q: Judgement paid in full need satisfaction letter. Who do I contact?

Paid judgement in full. Need to file with the courts to purchase a house. Who do I call to get satisfaction of judgement?

Sarah Lynn Ruffi
Sarah Lynn Ruffi
answered on Apr 23, 2018

You should contact the creditor.

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