The country's economic difficulties took an acute toll on individuals and businesses last year as the number of filings for bankruptcy rose by 31.9%, according to data released today by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
There were 1.4 million bankruptcy filings in 2009, compared with 1.1 million in 2008. In 2009, there were 1,412,838 non-business filings-a 32% increase over 2008-and 60,837 business filings, a 40% increase from 2008.
The states with the highest number of bankruptcies per capita were: Nevada, Tennessee, Georgia, Indiana, and Alabama. Those with the least number were: Alaska, Washington, D.C., South Carolina, Texas and South Dakota.
