There were 1036 Chapter 7 Bankruptcy cases filed in the Sacramento area during April 2014. That is a slight increase from March 2014 and continues the upward trend on bankruptcy filings in Sacramento.

Of the 1036 new Chapter 7 cases, 122 were filed by pro se debtors. That works out to be about 11% of all Chapter 7 cases. “Pro se” means that the debtors filed their cases without the assistance of an attorney or law firm.

There were 234 practicing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorneys in Sacramento last month. The top Chapter 7 filer had 43 cases — almost 5% of the total attorney-filed caseload. 173 of the 234 practicing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorneys filed five or fewer Chapter 7 cases during March.

I am always available to discuss Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Please contact my office with any questions. I can be reached at (916) 333-2222.

There were 828 Chapter 7 Bankruptcy cases filed in the Sacramento area during February 2014. That is a 16% increase from January 2014.

Chapter 7 filings are up after the slow winter holiday season. I expect this trend to continue as tax refunds come in. Tax refunds are a popular way to pay for the costs associated with bankruptcy.

Of the 828 new Chapter 7 cases, 122 were filed by pro se debtors. That works out to be about 14% of all Chapter 7 cases. “Pro se” means that they debtors filed their cases without the assistance of an attorney or law firm.

There were 219 practicing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorneys in Sacramento last month. The top Chapter 7 filer had 34 cases — nearly 5% of the total attorney-filed caseload. 92 of the 219 practicing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorneys only filed 1 Chapter 7 case during February.

I am always available to discuss Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Please contact my office with any questions. I can be reached at (916) 333-2222.

There were 734 Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases filed in the Sacramento area during December 2013.

This is only counting Chapter 7 cases in the Sacramento Division of the Eastern District of California. The numbers would be higher if I counted cases filed in the Modesto, Fresno and Bakersfield divisions. As you can see, the Eastern District of California covers the northern 1/3 of the State of California.

Filings in December are down 24% compared with last month, November 2013. This is to be expected, as business at the courthouse is typically relatively slow in December because of the holidays.

Of the 734 Chapter 7 cases filed in December, over 90 of the cases were filed “pro se.” A case filed “pro se” means without the assistance of counsel.

If you need more information regarding Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Sacramento, please contact attorney Rick Morin at (916) 333-2222.