T2013 kansas bankruptcy filingshe total number of Bankruptcy cases filed in federal courts for fiscal year 2013—the 12-month period ending September 30, 2013—totaled 1,107,699. Based on these numbers, total filings have gone down by 12% since fiscal year 2012. These statistics were released  by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

As you can see by the below chart, the total bankruptcy filings have been slowly decreasing since 2010.

Business and Non-Business Filings

Year                       Business                              Non-Business                         Total

2009                       58,721                                   1,344,095                             1,402,816

2010                       58,322                                   1,538,033                             1,596,355

2011                       49,895                                   1,417,326                             1,467,221

2012                       42,008                                   1,219,132                             1,261,140

2013                       34,892                                   1,072,807                             1,107,699

One of the striking decreases is in the number of businesses that are filing bankruptcy. Many cannot afford to do so. The cost involved in filing for a business bankruptcy is high and you have to be able to reorganize your company so that you are able to move forward. Many companies are simply unable to do this in the current economy. There were only 180 business bankruptcy cases filed in Kansas in 2013.

In Kansas, there were a total of 8,414 non-business or personal bankruptcy cases filed statewide in 2013. This number includes all Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy cases filed by individuals. Some of those filings by County include:

County

Representative Cities

Total Filings

Allen

Iola

30

Anderson

Garnett, Kincaid

11

Atchison

Atchison, Effingham

69

Barton

Great Bend

59

Butler

El Dorado, Andover

212

Cherokee

Baxter Springs, Columbus

27

Coffey

Burlington, Lebo

17

Cowley

Winfield, Arkansas City

100

Crawford

Pittsburg, Frontenac, Girard

54

Douglas

Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin City, Lecompton

312

Franklin

Ottawa, Wellsville

91

Johnson

Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, Mission, Merriam, Roeland Park, Spring Hill, Fairway, De Soto

1614

Leavenworth

Leavenworth, Lansing, Tonganoxie, Basehor

203

Linn

Pleasanton, La Cygne

32

Lyon

Emporia

107

McPherson

McPherson, Lindsborg

46

Miami

Paola, Osawatomie, Louisburg

104

Osage

Osage City, Carbondale

75

Reno

Hutchinson

202

Sedgwick

Wichita

1912

Shawnee

Topeka

980

Wyandotte

Kansas City, Bonner Springs, Edwardsville

845

Sedgwick had the highest number of Bankruptcy filings in 2013 — followed by Johnson County, Shawnee, and Wyandotte County. Obviously relief under the Bankruptcy Code is still needed for many across Kansas. So why is the number of Bankruptcy filings down? The reason fewer individual consumers are filing bankruptcy each year may be due in part to the student loan crisis or the belief that they, like businesses, are unable to afford to file.

The truth is – personal bankruptcy relief can be affordable and is available to most. You simply need to be educated on what options are actually available and how they apply to your individual situation. The best way to do this is to speak with an experienced Bankruptcy Attorney. Our attorneys offer in-office consultations to determine your best course towards financial freedom. Consultations are always free.