Kansas Bankruptcies Climb 8% in 2008

Bankruptcy filings increased eight percent in Kansas during 2008, a smaller increase than the 33% national increase seen in most of the country.  A total of 8712 cases were filed here, about 69% as chapter 7 cases for individuals or married couples.  Nationally, 1,064,927 consumer bankruptcy cases were filed in 2008.

Topeka saw slightly more chapter 13 cases than chapter 7 cases in 2008.  Chapter 13 is a reorganization plan for individuals.

Kansas City, KS:  2356 chapter 7 and 1052 chapter 13 cases.  There were 12 chapter 11 cases and no chapter 12 cases.

Topeka:  One thousand chapter 13 cases and 921 chapter 7 cases.  There were four chapter 11 cases (business reorganizations typically) and seven chapter 12  (family farmer reorganization) cases filed in Topeka.

Wichita:  2711  chapter 7 cases, 13 chapter 11 cases , nine chapter 12 cases and  627 chapter 13 cases.

Total Kansas bankruptcy filings in 2008:  5988  chapter 7, 29 chapter 11,  16 chapter 12, and  2679 chapter 13.

Here are the Kansas totals from previous years and the breakdown by chapter 7, 11, 12 and 13.  The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) went into effect in 2005.  There was a surge of filings prior to the effective dates.

  • 2008       8712       5988      29    16    2679
  • 2007      8072       5380     29    16    2647
  • 2006      6347       4228      17    16    2086
  • 2005    22,786    19,312    18    24    3432
  • 2004    16,289    13,158    44      2    3085

Sources:  U.S. Courts Administrative Office

About Jill Michaux

Jill Michaux is a Kansas bankruptcy attorney with Neis Michaux Law Office. She and her partner, Mark Neis, are Topeka's only consumer bankruptcy law specialists. They are board certified by the American Board of Certification.

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