Credit card debt Summons in Wisconsin
Hi, I am new here and I am really starting to panic, so hope that someone can help me.
To make a long story short, my husband and I were doing fine with our credit cards (all in my name) that is until we were in a car accident (completely bad luck, since we were sitting in a traffic jam on the highway and hit by a speeding car which failed to stop or slow down) and things just spiraled out of control after that and since then we've been experiencing HUGE financial difficulties and unable to pay off our credit cards. $15,000 credit card debt is probably $25,000 by now after fees and interest and I have been looking into going bankrupt, just so that I can start to breathe a bit again, as the panic attacks are getting quite bad. But I just cannot afford an attorney or the bankruptcy fees just now!:(
But to make matters worse, the other day I received a summons from the County court for a debt owed to Capital One and have 20 days (well, probably 13 now!) to "respond with a written answer, as that term is used in Chapter 802 of the Wisconsin Statutes, to the Complaint" - and I am really struggling with trying to get my head around what I am expected to write! :( Does someone know? :(
A bit about us, we are currently renting, have zero assets nor expensive property as we are trying to live frugally to pay bills. We have a 3-year old and I stay at home with her during the day and was working evenings until recently (as a way to save on child care - so that one of us is always home with her), but my company made cut-backs and I was one of the many who was let go, and I am still looking for work - I am worried that I am having such a hard time because my credit record is really messed up right now and I know that some potential employers look at that! :( My husband also lost 2 jobs in the past 2 months, also do to financial cutbacks with his first job was laid off. He then lost the second job because the company was sold shortly after he started. He has a temp position right now, hoping to be made permanent, but nothing set in stone just yet.
I am just so scared!