Consumer bankruptcy filings rose 9% in January 2026, with 44,282 filings. Commercial filings jumped 49% — the highest January level since 2018. The numbers signal slow-burn financial strain. Here’s what it means and what your options are.
Consumer bankruptcy filings surged 12% to 533,949 in 2025, and experts predict further increases. Steve Rhode, who filed bankruptcy in 1990 and rebuilt everything, explains why the rising numbers reflect people making smart financial decisions.
Quick Answer: Bankruptcy filings fell 29.7% in 2020 to 544,463 cases despite COVID-19 unemployment, reaching the lowest level since 1986. However, Chapter 11 business reorganizations rose 19.2%, and experts predict a surge in filings once pandemic mortgage and rental protections expire.Bankruptcy filings fell sharply for the 12-month period ending Dec. 31, 2020, despite a significant …
Quick Answer: Bankruptcy filings help by providing debt relief faster than alternatives, but many attorneys hurt clients by incorrectly claiming student loans cannot be discharged. Filings dropped 5.9% to 794,960 cases in 2016, the lowest since 2006, yet attorneys still avoid pursuing winnable student loan discharge cases.During the 12-month period ending December 31, 2016, 794,960 …
Fitch Ratings, the global rating agency that proves banks with prospective credit opinions, research and data, is expecting a further decline in personal bankruptcy filings for 2012. That news only spells a lessened demand for other debt relief services like credit counseling and debt settlement.If consumers are not seeking protection under bankruptcy, historically, demand for …
The latest bankruptcy filing numbers are out. Unfortunately they do not spell opportunity for current debt relief providers of any tax status.The decline in demand by consumers for intervention services has dropped across the board. For me it’s just further evidence the pipeline for debt relief help is draining and without a new influx of …
According to a new study from the Institute for Financial Literacy, the rate of bankruptcy filings among college graduates is increasing.One assumption is the burden student loans place on graduates is increasing at the same time that salaries and income opportunities is decreasing.While the study only tracked people through 2010, I’m sure the numbers will …
Quick Answer: Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings increased 25% to 1,133,320 cases in the 12-month period ending June 30, 2010, contributing to overall bankruptcy filings rising 20% to 1,572,597 total cases. This represents the highest bankruptcy filing rate since the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention Act took effect.Bankruptcy filings overall rose 20 percent in the 12-month period …
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