Utility Shutoffs: Learning From Wisconsin Bankruptcy
It’s easy to take certain things for granted, especially when you’re preoccupied with your fight to stay ahead of debt. If you’re like many people, you might be completely unprepared for the harsher realities of life — like when your lights or heat get turned off.
Nobody should find themselves forced to go without life’s necessities, but the citizens of Wisconsin often end up in precisely such situations. Fortunately, you can file for protection, and with the right legal assistance, getting utilities after bankruptcy should be no sweat.
Bankruptcy’s Utility Advantages
Dealing with creditors often gets messy, and utilities are no exception. When the power company decides that it’s going to turn off your supply due to your nonpayment of bills, it can back you into a corner.
Filing for bankruptcy expands your options. By giving you an automatic stay that halts collections, it lets you make vital decisions without quite as much weight on your shoulders. It also offers other benefits, such as ensuring that your creditors have to go through official channels to get in touch with you — It’s much easier to negotiate with the help of a lawyer.
The protections that you receive by petitioning the court for bankruptcy don’t just exist in name. For instance, the power company is legally prohibited from turning off your electricity because you filed. They also have to give you more options for discharging what you already owe.
How Might Your Wisconsin Bankruptcy Play Out?
As countless debtors have discovered firsthand, bankruptcy cases have become regular features in the Wisconsin legal landscape. The good news is that these proceedings may shed some light on what to expect when filing and dealing with utility creditors.
For instance, the notorious Shopko bankruptcy case exemplifies the kind of back and forth that some filers face. In late May 2019, a judge threw out the company’s proposed plan to pay its debt. This development goes to show that even though bankruptcy is designed to protect the filing party, it still has to satisfy the needs of everyone else involved, including the creditors.
In all likelihood, your case will be more straightforward, but it ultimately depends on your legal team. For instance, getting utilities after bankruptcy might be harder if you fail to prove that your income falls within a range that qualifies you as a consumer experiencing a hardship situation that’s worthy of relief. Planning an argument and gathering the evidence to portray yourself in the right light is crucial to moving your case forward.
Bankruptcy may be a good option for anyone struggling to keep their lights or power on in Wisconsin. If you want to file successfully, however, you’ll need to toe the line — From meeting the filing deadlines to attending the required hearings, seeking bankruptcy takes work and a dedicated legal team.
Although getting utilities after bankruptcy is indeed possible, your experience depends on whether you can build the right legal foundation. Improve your filing odds by chatting with a member of Burr Law Office. Get a free bankruptcy evaluation, call (262) 827-0375 today.
