The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin will add CM/ECF Release 5.0 and 5.1 to the live database and the new product will be ready for use on Monday, June 24, 2013. The CM/ECF system will not be available between 6:00 AM CDT on Saturday, June 22 and 6:00 AM CDT on Monday, June 24, 2013.  In addition, our external website will also not be available on Saturday, June 22 between 1:00 PM CDT and 1:30 PM CDT.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin will be closed on Thursday, July 4, and Friday July 5, in observance of  Independence Day.

Filing without a Lawyer

It is very important that a bankruptcy case be filed and handled correctly. The rules are very technical, and a misstep may affect a debtor's rights. For example, a debtor whose case is dismissed for failure to file a required document, such as a credit counseling certificate, may lose the right to file another case or lose protections in a later case, including the benefit of the automatic stay. Bankruptcy has long-term financial and legal consequences - hiring a competent attorney is strongly recommended.  Should you choose to proceed without an attorney, it is recommended that you:

- Read about Bankruptcy Basics

- Watch the Bankruptcy Basic Video

- Check to see if you are eligible to file

- Fill out the necessary Forms and Schedules

- See our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

- Steps to a Successful Bankruptcy

- Get Legal Advice