Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Wisconsin

Absolutely! Unless you reach an agreement which promises (preferably in writing) that you will not be sued unless you miss payments, all options remain open to the collectors. Merely attempting to set up payments has no effect whatsoever; the collectors remain free to sue should they decide that is a better option for them. Another possibility with regard to the collectors now suing you after you thought that you had a "deal" is that "one hand does not know what the other is doing--another common problem with large collection firms.

All this being said, if you are unable to manage your creditor obligations, you owe it to yourself to at least set up a free initial consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer. Rather than dealing with each creditor individually and experiencing problems such as the one you mention, a bankruptcy will deal with all of your creditors simultaneously, providing you with a permanent resolution of all dischargeable debts via one court case, all for not too much more than $1,000. My comments in this online forum are offered for public educational purposes only and are not legal advice, nor do they create any attorney/client relationship between us. Even if I were advising you, the background information which you provided did not include sufficient detail to allow any sort of reliable advice upon which you should rely. Finally, I may be able to represent you if you contact my Racine office and make arrangements formally retain me. I represent clients throughout the state of WI.