Bankruptcy filings have fallen to levels not seen since the mid-1980’s. The low number of filings are credited to the government aid and stimulus checks issued since the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to statistics from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, 462,309 individuals and companies filed for bankruptcy in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, which is a 32 percent decrease from the previous year. The office also noted that this figure was the lowest one reported for a 12-month period since 1985.
Personal bankruptcy filings decreased 33 percent to approximately 444,000 over the course of a year. Business filings similarly declined, although by a lower percentage. Business bankruptcy cases dropped by 17 percent to approximately 22,500 filings.
Throughout the pandemic, economists have expressed concern that a wave of personal and business bankruptcy filings would soon hit the courts. One reason for this concern involves the fact that personal debt, including credit card debt and medical debt, has increased over the past year. For the most part, the stimulus relief issued by the government, including personal stimulus checks and PPP loans, and the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures kept these at bay, but as the relief programs are coming to an end, economists and bankruptcy experts anticipate a substantial increase in filings. It remains to be seen if that increase will be a sharp one or more of a gradual incline.
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If you have questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
