Bankruptcy Filings by State
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Bankruptcy Filings by State
Do you dread answering the telephone or checking the mail because you are struggling with debts you cannot pay? Do you find yourself juggling debts each month to try to keep creditors from filing collection lawsuits? If so, you are not alone. Americans throughout the United States file bankruptcy each day because they cannot afford to pay their bills in addition to their living expenses.
Some people assume that the most common reason for filing bankruptcy is the abuse of credit or the lack of proper money management skills; however, this is not the case. Most people who file for bankruptcy relief do so because of a financial crisis that was out of their control. They have tried everything possible to recover from the crisis but cannot do so without assistance.
Common reasons why people file bankruptcy include:
- Unemployment or other decrease in income
- Loss of a spouse
- Divorce
- Medical expenses due to an unexpected illness or other medical condition
- Business failure
- Abuse of credit
Regardless of why a person is in financial distress, they can find relief from overwhelming debts with a bankruptcy filing. Ignoring financial problems only creates other issues and may make matters worse. Unpaid creditors may choose to file a lawsuit to collect the debt. If the creditor receives a judgment, the judgment can attach to your home and other property. Filing bankruptcy accomplishes two goals. It resolves financial problems while protecting the person’s assets from creditors.
Debt settlement, debt consolidation and other debt relief solutions cannot always accomplish the same goals as a bankruptcy filing. In order to make an informed decision as to which debt relief solution is best in your situation, you should consult with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer.
Bankruptcy Filing Statistics
California was the state with the most bankruptcy filings (103,379) while Alaska had the least bankruptcy filings (456). Below is a complete list of bankruptcy filings for all 50 states based on information available from the Administrative Office of the U. S. Courts.
- California 103,379
- Florida 68,597
- Georgia 62,969
- Illinois 61,507
- Ohio 41,278
- Tennessee 39,075
- Texas 36,503
- Michigan 35,688
- New York 32,431
- Indiana 29,235
- New Jersey 27,271
- Alabama 25,248
- Virginia 24,046
- Pennsylvania 23,926
- Washington 21,378
- Missouri 21,170
- Wisconsin 21,076
- Maryland 20,323
- Arizona 19,898
- Colorado 17,632
- Kentucky 16,983
- North Carolina 16,719
- Louisiana 14,999
- Utah 13,725
- Oregon 12,305
- Minnesota 12,190
- Arkansas 11,236
- Nevada 11,184
- Mississippi 11,106
- Massachusetts 10,394
- Oklahoma 9,955
- Kansas 7,511
- South Carolina 7,386
- Connecticut 6,968
- Iowa 5,079
- Idaho 4,742
- Nebraska 4,635
- New Mexico 3,830
- West Virginia 3,412
- Rhode Island 2,929
- Delaware 2,902
- New Hampshire 2,653
- Maine 2,094
- Hawaii 1,731
- Montana 1,554
- South Dakota 1,197
- Wyoming 959
- Vermont 715
- North Dakota 701
- Alaska 456
Contact an Experienced Bankruptcy Attorney
If you are struggling with overwhelming debt, contact Weston Legal, PLLC to discuss your bankruptcy options. You have options for dealing with your financial problems and we will help you find the solution that is best for you.