📸 Image Caption: “Rising debt and inflation are driving more Pennsylvania families to seek relief through bankruptcy.”
Economic Pressures Driving More Bankruptcy Filings Across Pennsylvania
By Lawrence W. Willis, Esq. – Willis & Associates | Pittsburgh Bankruptcy Attorney
As financial pressures mount, more individuals and businesses across Pennsylvania are turning to bankruptcy for relief. From surging interest rates to skyrocketing consumer debt, the landscape has changed—and the numbers are showing it.
According to recent data from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, more than 24,700 bankruptcy cases were filed in Pennsylvania last year, a 17% increase from the previous year. That includes 24,307 personal filings and 462 business filings. Nationwide, bankruptcy filings rose 14.2% to over 517,000, marking the second consecutive year of increases following a decade-long decline.
“The continued increase in bankruptcies over the past year reflects the growing list of economic challenges faced by consumers and businesses,” said Amy Quackenboss, Executive Director of the American Bankruptcy Institute.
🔹 Why Are Bankruptcy Filings Rising?
At Willis & Associates, we’ve seen a surge in clients facing garnishments, lawsuits, utility shutoffs, and even foreclosure—all made worse by:
Aggressive debt collection
Delinquent credit card accounts
Increased cost of living
Post-COVID financial hardship
A spike in gambling-related filings, especially following the legaliz
