The U.S. economy shrank by 33% from April to June, the worst quarterly plunge ever.
Yet, in Kentucky, bankruptcy filings actually dropped.
There were 34% fewer bankruptcy petitions from the first to the second quarter of 2020, according to new data from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. The filings were also down more than a third when compared to the same period last year.
If that sounds like good news, experts warn the worst is yet to come. As the COVID-19 pandemic forces millions of Americans out of work and into debt, some Kentuckians are scraping by on unemployment insurance. Others might be waiting for their situation to bottom out before filing bankruptcy.
Weve got a tidal wave of bankruptcies coming, said Peter Brackney, a bankruptcy attorney in Lexington. The waters often recede before the wave comes in.
There are likely many reasons for the bankruptcy downturn. As the pandemic drags on for months longer than first anticipated, indebted consumers and business owners might be awaiting their financial nadir before petitioning a court for a discharge, or release from certain debts. Some debtors might be waiting for their employment situation to straighten out before entering bankruptcy proceedings. Others might be hoping for further relief from policymakers such as student loan debt forgiveness, considered a hail mary.
Some experts credited the governments emergency relief measures for mitigating the worst of the economic fallout. The centerpiece of the federal response was the $2.2 trillion CARES Act, which included the $669-billion Paycheck Protection Program, stimulus payments, forbearances on mortgages and student loans, and expanded unemployment benefits. A state moratorium on evictions has also staved off personal disaster for thousands of Kentuckians.
But relief measures arent expected to be permanent, and financial calamity continues to threaten those unable to make ends meet.
Steve Vidmer, a bankruptcy attorney in Murray, saw a clear lag in bankruptcy filings after Mattel closed its local Fisher-Price toys plant in 2002. Nearly 1,000 employees were laid off.
Here I assumed the floodgate was opened, Vidmer recalled. But it took a long time before people realized they might need to file for bankruptcy. Sometimes its not until months or years later that they realize theyre in a pickle they cant get out of.
Since April, bankruptcy filings are trending upward, if slowly. In April, there were 809 bankruptcy petitions filed in Kentucky; in June, there were 948.
Still, Junes filing total was 24% lower than June of last year. Meanwhile, theres some evidence consumer debts are getting worse. Americans will rack up an estimated $80 billion in new credit card debt in 2020, a roughly 8% increase, according to an analysis from WalletHub.
The debt is there, but people havent paid the consequences yet, said Ed Flynn, a consultant with the American Bankruptcy Institute. After unemployment benefits expire and after foreclosures pick up again, he predicts bankruptcy filings will really go through the roof.
The typical debtor is not very high income, in Kentucky or anywhere else, Flynn said. It may take a year to really play out, but at some point, people are really going to feel the pain.
Graham Ambrose is an investigative reporter covering social services and youth issues. He is a Report for America Corps member. Contact him at gambrose@kycir.org.
The rest is here:
- Alitalia Files for Bankruptcy, but Italy Balks at a Third Bailout - New York Times - May 3rd, 2017 [May 3rd, 2017]
- A Slow Bankruptcy Process Stops Locale-Reviving Jobs - Wall Street Journal (subscription) - May 3rd, 2017 [May 3rd, 2017]
- Bankruptcy auction for property of NASCAR artist Sam Bass ... - Charlotte Observer - May 3rd, 2017 [May 3rd, 2017]
- Obamacare helped make a 50% dent in personal bankruptcies ... - MarketWatch - May 3rd, 2017 [May 3rd, 2017]
- Pennsylvania Toy Seller Files For Bankruptcy - Wall Street Journal (subscription) - May 3rd, 2017 [May 3rd, 2017]
- Puerto Rico Enters Bankruptcy - Wall Street Journal (subscription) - May 3rd, 2017 [May 3rd, 2017]
- Puerto Rico Declares a Form of Bankruptcy - New York Times - May 3rd, 2017 [May 3rd, 2017]
- Farmer Mac Early Exclusive: Farm Bankruptcy Rates Low - AgWeb - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Washington weighs in on Westinghouse bankruptcy | News ... - Aiken Standard - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- 4 Reasons Why Puerto Rico's 'Bankruptcy' Process Matters to US Residents - NBCNews.com - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Valeant: There Is Significant Bankruptcy Risk Here - Seeking Alpha - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Westinghouse bankruptcy draws federal scrutiny as VC Summer nuclear project's future remains unclear - Charleston Post Courier - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Bebe Avoids Bankruptcy Filing With Real-Estate Deals - Wall Street Journal (subscription) - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- rue21 Bankruptcy Objections Filed - Bankrupt Company News (press release) (blog) - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- ISH to emerge from bankruptcy as Seacor subsidiary - WorkBoat (blog) - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Curtains for the Pearl, as the Theater Company Files for Bankruptcy - New York Times - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Bankruptcy fraud earns Pepperell man 18 months | Boston Herald - Boston Herald - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Vikki Lindemuth favors appointment of trustee to handle husband's bankruptcy - Topeka Capital Journal - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Creditors seek to force bankruptcy of Tinley Park firm - Chicago Tribune - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Abengoa Bankruptcy Liquidation Plan Confirmed - Bankrupt Company News (press release) (blog) - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Retailer BCBG Unveils Going-Concern Bankruptcy Sales - Wall Street Journal (subscription) - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- For Hartford, bankruptcy not an easy way out - The CT Mirror - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Why Students Should Be Able To Declare Bankruptcy On Their Loans - ATTN: - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]
- Bankruptcy forces curtain to fall on community theater - Chicago Tribune - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]
- Ex-Pepperell man jailed in bankruptcy case - Lowell Sun - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]
- Owner of Joe's Crab Shack files for bankruptcy | Jacksonville News ... - Florida Times-Union - June 11th, 2017 [June 11th, 2017]
- Why test for bankruptcy law is a larger test for India - The Indian Express - June 11th, 2017 [June 11th, 2017]
- Tax trouble firms' most likely road to bankruptcy - Albuquerque Journal - June 12th, 2017 [June 12th, 2017]
- Darius Miles' Bankruptcy Sale Includes Signed LeBron James, Larry ... - Bleacher Report - June 12th, 2017 [June 12th, 2017]
- Winter Haven attorney gets prison for concealing assets in ... - News Chief - June 12th, 2017 [June 12th, 2017]
- Children's retailer Gymboree files bankruptcy, closing up to 450 stores - USA TODAY - June 12th, 2017 [June 12th, 2017]
- Another retailer has filed for bankruptcy - mySanAntonio.com - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Esperanza Unida bankruptcy delays city redevelopment efforts - BizTimes.com (Milwaukee) - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Square 1 Burgers files bankruptcy, blames over-saturated restaurant market - Orlando Sentinel - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Big KC manufacturer files for bankruptcy - Kansas City Business Journal - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Canadians Have Been Refinancing To Delay Bankruptcy - Seeking Alpha - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Gymboree Files For Bankruptcy, Plans To Close At Least 375 Stores - Forbes - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]
- Sears, J. Crew, Claire's Are Bankruptcy Risks (SHLD) | Investopedia - Investopedia - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Tampa's Square 1 Burgers files for bankruptcy protection - Tampabay.com - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- RBI, Banks And NPAs - First, Reform India's Bankruptcy Code, Then Force Defaulters Into It - Forbes - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Retail bloodbath: Bankruptcy filings pile up - CNNMoney - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Bankruptcy cases show we've become a nation of selective justice - New York Daily News - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Soupman of 'Seinfeld' Soup Nazi fame files for bankruptcy protection - USA TODAY - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Strack & Van Til bankruptcy case moved to Illinois - nwitimes.com - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Lawsuit: Wells Fargo revised mortgages in bankruptcy without permission - USA TODAY - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- France's CGG files for bankruptcy protection - MarketWatch - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- 'Soup Nazi' company files for bankruptcy - CNNMoney - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- France's CGG Group Files for Bankruptcy Protection - Wall Street Journal (subscription) - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Company of businessman behind polo facility expansion files for bankruptcy protection - Fauquier Times - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Vehicles involved in Dusty Old Cars bankruptcy to be auctioned - WMUR Manchester - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Could Illinois be the first state to file for bankruptcy? - CBS News - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Takata Said to Ready Bankruptcy Filing Ahead of Sale to Rival - New York Times - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Greece escapes brush with bankruptcy but austerity still bites - FRANCE 24 - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Pawnbroker A-OK cites embezzlement in multimillion-dollar bankruptcy - Wichita Eagle - June 18th, 2017 [June 18th, 2017]
- Clock is Ticking on India's Bad Bank Debts Under Bankruptcy Laws - Bloomberg - June 18th, 2017 [June 18th, 2017]
- Surveyor dealing with fine, bankruptcy - Muncie Star Press - June 18th, 2017 [June 18th, 2017]
- Mode Media Assets Acquired by Wedding Ad Network BrideClick in Bankruptcy Deal - Variety - June 18th, 2017 [June 18th, 2017]
- San Bernardino officially out of bankruptcy - San Bernardino County Sun - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- 22 retailers that are at serious risk of bankruptcy - Chron.com - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- What to expect in defective air bag maker Takata's looming bankruptcy - USA TODAY - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Could Illinois file for bankruptcy? - FOX Illinois - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Exploding airbags: Takata shares plummet 17% on bankruptcy reports - CNNMoney - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- These 14 Stores May Be on the Brink of Bankruptcy | NBC Southern ... - NBC Southern California - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Medical bankruptcies - WEAR - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- After five long years, San Bernardino is officially out of bankruptcy. What's next? - Los Angeles Times - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Takata to file for bankruptcy Monday, SMFG to provide bridge loan: sources - Reuters - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- Sears Canada files for bankruptcy - CNNMoney - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
- Foundation Healthcare Chapter 11 Bankruptcy - Bankrupt Company News (press release) (blog) - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Implant Sciences Bankruptcy Objections Filed - Bankrupt Company News (press release) (blog) - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Puerto Rico Bankruptcy: Uncertainty, But Also Stock Profit Opportunity - Seeking Alpha - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Lakeland day care files for bankruptcy without paying workers - wreg.com - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Sears Canada Closing 59 Stores as It Seeks Bankruptcy Protection - Fortune - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Takata to file for bankruptcy Monday, SMBC to provide bridge loan: Sources - CNBC - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- How Sears Canada's Bankruptcy Impacts Sears Holdings Corp. - Seeking Alpha - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Augusta native sworn in as newest Bankruptcy Court judge - The Augusta Chronicle - June 24th, 2017 [June 24th, 2017]
- Takata reportedly planning to file for bankruptcy - CNBC - June 24th, 2017 [June 24th, 2017]
- Bankruptcy - money_selfhelp - June 24th, 2017 [June 24th, 2017]
- Japan press - Takata expected to file for bankruptcy protection in Tokyo - ForexLive - June 26th, 2017 [June 26th, 2017]
- Bankruptcy guru Edward Altman sees similarities to 2007 in the credit market today - Yahoo Finance - June 26th, 2017 [June 26th, 2017]
- Takata's woes expected to continue beyond bankruptcy filing amid mounting recall costs - CNBC - June 26th, 2017 [June 26th, 2017]