Frequently Asked Questions

PlainBankruptcy provides aggregate federal bankruptcy filing statistics from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOUSC). This includes Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 filing counts by judicial district, state, and year — covering fiscal years 2015 through 2024.

Chapter 7 is liquidation bankruptcy — assets are sold to pay creditors and remaining eligible debts are discharged. Chapter 11 is reorganization for businesses (and some individuals) to restructure debts while continuing to operate. Chapter 12 is specifically for family farmers and fishermen. Chapter 13 is a repayment plan for individuals with regular income to pay debts over 3–5 years.

No. PlainBankruptcy only has aggregate statistical data — total filing counts by district, chapter, and year. Individual bankruptcy case records are available through PACER (pacer.uscourts.gov), the federal court system's public access portal.

Per-capita filing rates are expressed as filings per 100,000 residents. We use Census Bureau population estimates for the corresponding year to calculate these rates, enabling fair comparisons between districts and states of different population sizes.

Bankruptcy filing rates vary due to differences in state exemption laws (some states are more debtor-friendly), local economic conditions, household debt levels, and cultural attitudes toward bankruptcy. Historical patterns also matter — some regions have had consistently higher or lower rates for decades.

Our data runs through fiscal year 2024 (ending September 2024). The AOUSC typically publishes new annual statistics 6–9 months after the fiscal year ends. We update our database when new reports are published.

No. PlainBankruptcy provides statistical information only — not legal advice. Bankruptcy law is complex and varies significantly by state and individual circumstance. Always consult a qualified bankruptcy attorney before making any decisions about filing.