The top-rated bankruptcy lawyer in Green Bay, Wisconsin is Law Offices of John A Foscato SC, rated 4.8 stars across 135 reviews. Other highly rated options include Attorneys Vann and Chamberlain, S.C., Debt Advisors Law Offices Green Bay Bankruptcy Attorneys, Wanezek, Jaekels, Daul & Babcock, S.C.. This directory lists 22 bankruptcy lawyers serving Green Bay.
Comparison
| # | Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Law Offices of John A Foscato SC | 303 Packerland Dr Ste B | (920) 432-8801 |
| 2 | Attorneys Vann and Chamberlain, S.C. | 1345 W Mason St #110 | (920) 430-0955 |
| 3 | Debt Advisors Law Offices Green Bay Bankruptcy Attorneys | 1830 W Mason St | (888) 222-5615 |
| 4 | Wanezek, Jaekels, Daul & Babcock, S.C. | 417 S Adams St | (920) 437-8191 |
| 5 | Lewis & Van Sickle, LLC | 2149 Velp Ave Ste 206 | (920) 434-9977 |
| 6 | Janssen Law LLC | 3000 Riverside Dr #210 | (920) 425-4844 |
| 7 | One Law Group, S.C. | 2181 S Oneida St | (920) 336-5766 |
| 8 | Peter Francis Geraci Law L.L.C. | 1039 W Mason St Suite 106 | (888) 456-1953 |
| 9 | Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C. | 231 S Adams St | (920) 437-0476 |
| 10 | Miller & Miller Law, LLC | 2145 S Oneida St Suite A | (920) 654-5070 |
Law Offices of John A Foscato SC serves clients in and around Green Bay, Wisconsin, focusing exclusively on bankruptcy law. The firm handles Chapter 7 liquidation and Chapter 13 repayment plan filings for individuals and families. Debtors seeking to stop foreclosure, wage garnishment, or creditor harassment can consult this office for legal guidance. The practice also works with those needing to restructure or eliminate unsecured debt through the federal bankruptcy system. It assists with preparing and submitting the required court documentation for personal bankruptcy cases.
Attorneys Vann and Chamberlain, S.C. provides legal guidance for individuals and businesses navigating bankruptcy filings in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Their services include assessing financial situations, preparing required documentation, and representing clients through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 proceedings. Routine case management ensures compliance with court deadlines and creditor communications. This firm serves a diverse base of property owners, offering debt relief solutions for single-family homes, apartments, retail spaces, and local restaurants.
Debt Advisors Law Offices Green Bay Bankruptcy Attorneys distinguishes between one-time bankruptcy filings and recurring debt resolution needs, covering Green Bay, WI, and surrounding areas. As a bankruptcy lawyer, the firm assists individuals and businesses with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, offering legal guidance through each step of the debt relief process. Consultations assess eligibility, and the practice manages documentation and court procedures. Services run on a one-time case basis, with follow-up as needed for post-discharge support or counseling.
Wanezek, Jaekels, Daul & Babcock, S.C. serves individuals and small businesses in the Green Bay area who are seeking relief from overwhelming financial obligations. The firm assists clients with filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, guiding them through the legal process of debt discharge or reorganization. Its lawyers help stop creditor collections, wage garnishments, and repossessions for local residents. The practice also represents families facing foreclosure. In addition to serving Green Bay, the company covers neighboring communities throughout Brown County, including the city of De Pere.
Lewis & Van Sickle, LLC provides legal guidance for individuals and businesses navigating bankruptcy proceedings, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings. Their practice also assists clients with debt relief strategies in the Green Bay, WI, area. They help assess financial options to address creditor actions and potential asset liquidation. For local residents facing a seasonal hardship such as a winter heating bill spike or post-holiday debt accumulation, the firm offers consultations to evaluate bankruptcy as a path toward financial stability.
Janssen Law LLC in Green Bay, Wisconsin provides residential bankruptcy services for individuals facing financial challenges. The firm also offers commercial bankruptcy representation for local businesses. Serving clients throughout the Green Bay area, the office handles Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings. After a case is discharged, the firm remains available for follow-up consultations. These ongoing services help clients manage their renewed financial standing between regular visits.
One Law Group, S.C. serves clients in the Green Bay area and surrounding communities throughout Brown County, handling personal and business bankruptcy filings under Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. The firm works with individuals and small businesses seeking debt relief from overwhelming financial obligations. It approaches each case by thoroughly assessing the client’s assets and liabilities, then determining the most appropriate legal path to discharge debts or establish a manageable repayment plan.
As winter approaches in Green Bay, mounting household bills and seasonal layoffs often create financial strain for families. The Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C. offers guidance on managing overwhelming debt through bankruptcy filings in Wisconsin. Their attorneys assist clients in exploring legal options to address wage garnishments or foreclosure threats. An initial consultation is available to review individual financial situations and determine eligibility for debt relief proceedings.
What Does a a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Green Bay Cost?
The cost of hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in Green Bay, Wisconsin, varies by case complexity and chapter type. For a standard Chapter 7 case, attorney fees typically fall between $1,200 and $2,500, with the court filing fee of $338 added separately. Chapter 13 cases involve higher legal fees, usually ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, because of the extended case duration and more complex plan confirmation process. Many attorneys offer payment plans, allowing debtors to pay fees in installments before filing, though some require full payment upfront for Chapter 7. The court also permits debtors to pay the filing fee in up to four installments.
For individuals with very limited income, pro bono legal services may be available through organizations such as Legal Action of Wisconsin, which provides free bankruptcy assistance for qualifying residents. Some lawyers also offer reduced fees for straightforward cases or flat-rate pricing. It is important to discuss all costs, including credit counseling and debtor education course fees (typically $10 to $50 each), during the initial consultation. This information is general and does not constitute legal advice; you should consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation.
About bankruptcy lawyers in Green Bay
Bankruptcy law in Green Bay, Wisconsin, provides individuals and businesses a legal pathway to address overwhelming debt through federal court protection. The most common forms are Chapter 7, which involves liquidation of non-exempt assets to discharge most unsecured debts, and Chapter 13, which allows debtors with regular income to reorganize debts into a manageable repayment plan over three to five years. Chapter 11 is typically reserved for businesses or individuals with debts exceeding Chapter 13 limits, offering more complex reorganization. For a Green Bay resident, the right chapter depends on income level, asset ownership, and debt type. Chapter 7 suits those with limited income and few assets, while Chapter 13 helps those who want to keep property like a home or car and catch up on missed payments. Chapter 11 is less common for individuals but may benefit business owners with substantial assets or creditors.
Wisconsin has specific state exemption laws that debtors must use instead of federal exemptions, as the state has opted out of the federal exemption system. The Wisconsin homestead exemption protects up to $75,000 of equity in a primary residence, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly, provided the property is in Wisconsin and the debtor has lived there for at least 40 months before filing. For vehicles, Wisconsin allows a $4,000 exemption per debtor for one motor vehicle, with any equity above that subject to liquidation in Chapter 7. The state also offers a wildcard exemption of up to $1,000 for any personal property, plus an additional $600 for household goods and furnishings. Other exemptions include $5,000 for tools of a trade, $10,000 for burial plots, and unlimited exemptions for retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, subject to federal limits. These exemptions are codified in Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 815.18, and they directly impact how much property a debtor can keep in bankruptcy.
The means test is a critical calculation that determines eligibility for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Green Bay. It compares the debtors household income over the six months before filing to the median income for a similar-sized household in Wisconsin. As of 2025, the median annual income for a single-person household in Wisconsin is approximately $62,000, for a two-person household around $78,000, for a three-person household about $92,000, and for a four-person household near $110,000. If the debtors income falls below these medians, they automatically qualify for Chapter 7. If income exceeds the median, the debtor must complete a detailed expense calculation using IRS standards to determine disposable income. If disposable income over five years exceeds a threshold of about $12,850 (or $215 per month), the debtor is presumed to have enough income to repay creditors and may be forced into Chapter 13 instead. This test ensures that those with sufficient means do not abuse the Chapter 7 discharge.
Filing bankruptcy in Green Bay triggers an automatic stay, which immediately stops all collection activities, including phone calls from creditors, wage garnishments, foreclosure proceedings, and lawsuits. This protection begins the moment the petition is filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, which serves Green Bay. The timeline from filing to discharge is typically three to six months for a Chapter 7 case, while Chapter 13 cases last the duration of the repayment plan, usually three to five years. Before filing, debtors must complete a mandatory credit counseling course from an approved agency, which costs between $10 and $50. After filing but before discharge, debtors must complete a debtor education course, also costing around $10 to $50. Failure to complete either course can result in case dismissal. The discharge order for Chapter 7 is usually entered 60 to 90 days after the meeting of creditors, which occurs about 30 days after filing.
The costs of filing bankruptcy in Green Bay include a court filing fee of $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13, as of 2025. Attorney fees add significantly, with Chapter 7 legal fees typically ranging from $1,200 to $2,500 for a straightforward case, while Chapter 13 fees are higher, often between $3,000 and $5,000, because of the longer case duration and more complex paperwork. Many bankruptcy lawyers in Green Bay offer payment plans, allowing debtors to pay attorney fees in installments before filing. Some attorneys require full payment before the petition is submitted, especially for Chapter 7. For those with very low income, pro bono resources may be available through organizations like the Legal Action of Wisconsin, which provides free legal assistance for qualifying individuals. Additionally, the court allows debtors to pay the filing fee in up to four installments, though the fee must be paid in full before discharge.
Life after bankruptcy in Green Bay involves a period of credit rebuilding and legal limitations. A Chapter 7 discharge remains on a credit report for 10 years from the filing date, while a Chapter 13 case stays for 7 years. Certain debts are not dischargeable, including most student loans, recent income taxes (less than three years old), child support, alimony, and debts arising from fraud or intentional harm. After discharge, debtors can begin rebuilding credit by obtaining secured credit cards, making timely payments on remaining obligations like car loans or mortgages, and monitoring credit reports for errors. Many individuals see credit scores improve within two to three years after bankruptcy, as the discharged debts are removed from the debt-to-income ratio. Bankruptcy does not prevent a debtor from buying a home or car in the future, though lenders may require a waiting period of two to four years for conventional mortgages and one to two years for FHA loans. The key is to demonstrate responsible financial behavior after the case closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Wisconsin-specific exemptions apply to a Green Bay bankruptcy case?
Wisconsin requires debtors to use state exemptions rather than federal ones. The homestead exemption protects up to $75,000 of equity in a primary residence, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. Vehicle equity is exempt up to $4,000 per debtor, and a wildcard exemption of $1,000 applies to any personal property. These exemptions are found in Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 815.18 and directly affect how much property you can keep in Chapter 7.
What are the typical costs for hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in Green Bay?
Attorney fees for a Chapter 7 case in Green Bay generally range from $1,200 to $2,500, plus the $338 court filing fee. Chapter 13 fees are higher, typically $3,000 to $5,000, due to the longer case duration. Many lawyers offer payment plans, often requiring full payment before filing for Chapter 7. Pro bono help is available through Legal Action of Wisconsin for low-income residents.
How long does the bankruptcy process take in Wisconsin from filing to discharge?
A Chapter 7 case in Green Bay typically takes three to six months from filing to discharge. The meeting of creditors occurs about 30 days after filing, and the discharge order follows 60 to 90 days later. Chapter 13 cases last the length of the repayment plan, usually three to five years. You must complete credit counseling before filing and a debtor education course after filing to receive a discharge.