Area Caseload Up

Sat., Aug. 1, 1998

From Staff Reports

The number of bankruptcies filed in Eastern Washington increased during the first six months of 1998, but the rate of growth has slowed.

Statistics obtained from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Spokane show total filings reached 3,571 by the end of June, up 12 percent compared with the same period in 1997.

For all of 1997, bankruptcies had increased 22 percent compared with 1996, and filings that year were up one-third over 1995.

Most of the paperwork is individual filings for liquidation of debts under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy codes, although a slightly greater share of those seeking protection from creditors are choosing Chapter 13, which gives filers additional time to meet their obligations.

Farm and commercial bankruptcies are down slightly.

Filings in Spokane were up 5 percent. Increases in other offices within the district ranged from zero in Moses Lake to 23 percent in Yakima and Wenatchee.

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Area Caseload Up

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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