The Nuts and Bolts of Collections and Creditors' Rights 2025

  • OnDemand seminar
  • Creditor and Debtor Law
  • New Lawyer
Up to 6.0 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
The Nuts and Bolts of Collections and Creditors' Rights 2025

Endorsed by the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Wisconsin

Life and debt

Whether due to a mortgage, credit cards, or medical bills, the average American carries over $100,000 in debt. 1 With high interest rates and record debt levels in the U.S., business and individual bankruptcy filings are on the rise.2 So where does that leave creditors?

The Nuts and Bolts of Collections and Creditors’ Rights offers a foundation in creditor and debtor law so you can advise clients on the best courses of action to recoup what’s owed. Learn the fundamentals of the collections process, including:

  • Assessing debt and making a demand
  • Commencing a legal action
  • Securing favorable judgments
  • Maximizing collection outcomes

Program preview

8:30 am
Debt Assessment, Demand, and Dangers

Michael S. Oellerich

  • Identifying the type of debt, amount of debt, and correct debtors
  • Acceptable, required and prohibited collection practices under the Wisconsin Consumer Act, the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules and regulations, and other consumer acts
  • Making a demand for satisfaction
  • Steering clear of dangerous waters
9:30 am
Commencing an Action and Obtaining a Judgment

Sherry Coley

  • Small claims vs. circuit court
  • Filing suit
  • Replevins/money judgments
  • Docketing and perfecting judgments
10:20 am
Break
10:35 am
Collection of Judgments

Sherry Coley

  • Selecting the most appropriate method of collection
  • Garnishment procedures
  • Supplementary examinations and proceedings
  • Additional collection mechanisms
11:45 am
Creditor’s Rights in Bankruptcy

J. David Krekeler

  • Issues to consider
12:00 pm
Lunch (on your own)
1:00 pm
Creditor’s Rights in Bankruptcy (continued)

J. David Krekeler

  • Remedies available when the debtor files bankruptcy
  • Filing claims, lifting the automatic stay, analyzing the debtor’s exemptions
  • Objecting to the discharge of debts
  • Defending preference claims
2:00 pm
Special Issues Panel discussion

Matt Beier, Michael S. Oellerich, J. David Krekeler

  • Case law updates
  • Collection techniques
  • Ethical and malpractice concerns
  • Practice variations
  • Practice do’s and don’ts
  • Collection “traps”
  • Chapter 128
  • Foreign judgments
2:50 pm
Question and Answer
3:00 pm
Program Concludes

Presenters

Matt Beier
Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company · Madison
Sherry Coley
Amundsen Davis LLC · Green Bay
J. David Krekeler
Krekeler Law S.C. · Madison
Michael S. Oellerich
Turke & Steil LLP · Janesville

Sponsored by

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

  • Learn the proper steps to take when collecting a debt
  • Discover how bankruptcy and other special issues affect collection of debts
  • Receive sample forms and documents you can put to use right away in your practice
  • Get up to speed on important updates in collections and creditors’ rights
  • Attorneys seeking to add creditor/debtor representation to their practice
  • Creditors’ rights lawyers
  • Consumer lawyers
  • Bankruptcy lawyers
  • Business lawyers
  • Attorneys who do their own fee collecting

YLD Discount!

Young Lawyers Division members receive a $20 discount on tuition.* Discount applied automatically upon log-in.

*Young Lawyers Division Members are State Bar member attorneys 36 years of age or younger, or within five years of admission to the State Bar of Wisconsin. If you’ve opted out of YLD, you will not receive this discount. The $20 discount only applies to in-person, live webcast, and webcast replay versions of this seminar – not CLE OnDemand. YLD members with Ultimate Passes, other CLE passes, or PINNACLE discounts are not eligible for this discount.

Book Bonus!

Collections & Bankruptcy in Wisconsin
Save 15% on Collections & Bankruptcy in Wisconsin.* One of the few Wisconsin-specific publications on collections and bankruptcy, it provides a detailed explanation of the complex financial issues that could strike any business or client. Use discount code CA3771 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/26. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

BYP

The Build Your Practice Series from State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® introduces you to the fundamentals of various practice areas. Gain the tools and information you need to develop a new area of practice and expand your firm's offerings. Build Your Practice Series programs are endorsed by the State Bar's Young Lawyers Division.