{"id":2317,"date":"2026-09-08T10:25:40","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T14:25:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/?p=2317"},"modified":"2026-09-08T10:25:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T14:25:43","slug":"bankruptcy-filings-surge-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/bankruptcy-filings-surge-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Bankruptcy Filings Are Surging in 2026 \u2014 Here&#8217;s What the Data Shows (and What It Means for You)"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bankruptcy Filings Are Surging in 2026: What the Latest Data Shows<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New national bankruptcy data released in early September confirms what many attorneys have been seeing firsthand this year: filings are climbing sharply, and the increase is happening across nearly every category \u2014 individuals, small businesses, and everything in between. Here&#8217;s what the numbers actually show, why filings are rising, and what it means if you&#8217;re weighing your own options right now.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Numbers: August 2026<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to data from Epiq AACER, a leading provider of U.S. bankruptcy filing statistics, total bankruptcy filings rose 8% year-over-year in August 2026, with over 52,000 filings recorded for the month. Breaking that down further:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Individual Chapter 7 filings<\/strong> rose 10% compared to August of last year<\/li>\n<li><strong>Individual Chapter 13 filings<\/strong> also rose 10% year-over-year<\/li>\n<li><strong>Commercial Chapter 11 filings<\/strong> increased as well, continuing a steady upward trend<\/li>\n<li><strong>Subchapter V elections<\/strong> within Chapter 11 rose a striking 63% year-over-year, and were up sharply from the previous month too<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That last figure is worth sitting with. Subchapter V, the streamlined small business reorganization option added to the Bankruptcy Code in 2020, is being elected far more often than it was even a year ago \u2014 a sign that more small business owners are actively choosing to restructure and keep operating rather than simply closing their doors.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Are Filings Rising?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Industry analysts point to a straightforward explanation: consumers and small businesses are continuing to navigate a genuinely difficult economic environment. Elevated interest rates, persistent inflation on everyday costs, and tighter consumer credit conditions have combined to put more households and businesses in a position where debt has outpaced what regular income can manage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the business side specifically, the sharp rise in Subchapter V elections suggests something notable: business owners aren&#8217;t just filing more \u2014 they&#8217;re increasingly choosing a specific tool designed to let them keep the business running rather than default to liquidation. We walked through exactly what that process looks like in <a href=\"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/subchapter-v-bankruptcy-timeline-florida\/\">our guide to the Subchapter V timeline<\/a>, and compared it against the full range of options in <a href=\"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/business-bankruptcy-options-florida\/\">our overview of business bankruptcy options<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What This Means If You&#8217;re Considering Filing<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;ve been putting off a decision about your own debt, it&#8217;s worth understanding that you&#8217;re far from alone \u2014 and that the systems built to handle these filings (courts, trustees, and attorneys) are actively adapting to higher volume. A few takeaways worth considering:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rising filings don&#8217;t mean it&#8217;s harder to file successfully<\/strong> \u2014 if anything, courts and trustees are more accustomed than ever to processing cases efficiently. The core mechanics of <a href=\"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/chapter-7-bankruptcy-in-miami\/\">Cap\u00edtulo 7<\/a> y <a href=\"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/chapter-13-bankruptcy-in-miami\/\">Cap\u00edtulo 13<\/a> haven&#8217;t changed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Business owners have more precedent to lean on.<\/strong> As Subchapter V elections climb, there&#8217;s a growing body of real case outcomes and experienced trustees familiar with the process, which can make the path smoother for a new filer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Waiting doesn&#8217;t reduce the pressure.<\/strong> Rising national filing numbers reflect real household and business strain \u2014 the same pressures driving that data are likely affecting your own situation the longer a decision is delayed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What About Florida Specifically?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Florida has consistently ranked among the states with higher per-capita bankruptcy filings nationally, and nothing in this year&#8217;s data suggests that&#8217;s changing. For Miami-area homeowners and business owners, that means local courts and trustees are well-practiced with the volume and variety of cases coming through \u2014 whether that&#8217;s a straightforward individual Chapter 7, a Chapter 13 repayment plan, or a small business working through Subchapter V.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don&#8217;t Let the Headlines Be the Only Thing You Read<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">National data can confirm that you&#8217;re not alone in facing financial pressure, but it can&#8217;t tell you what&#8217;s actually right for your specific situation. Whether the numbers point to Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or Subchapter V for your business depends entirely on your own debts, assets, and goals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udc49 Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/miami-bankruptcy-attorney\/\">Miami bankruptcy lawyer page<\/a><br \/>\ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/contact-us\/\">Contact us<\/a> today to schedule a free consultation<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With 19 years of bankruptcy experience, we help individuals and business owners throughout Miami cut through the headlines and get a clear, personalized answer.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New national data shows bankruptcy filings climbing sharply in 2026, with Subchapter V elections up 63% year over year. Here&#8217;s what&#8217;s driving the surge and what it means if you&#8217;re considering filing.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":276886052,"featured_media":2319,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1361],"tags":[1408,1403,1404],"class_list":["post-2317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legal-insights","tag-chapter-11","tag-debt-relief","tag-filing-process"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/ph4ALZ-Bn","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":300,"url":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/chapter-7-vs-chapter-13-bankruptcy-whats-the-difference-and-which-is-right-for-you\/","url_meta":{"origin":2317,"position":0},"title":"Chapter 7 Bankruptcy vs Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: What\u2019s the Difference and Which Is Right for You?","author":"GarciaLegal","date":"febrero 10, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"If you\u2019re overwhelmed by debt and considering bankruptcy, you\u2019re not alone. Many people in Miami face financial hardship due to medical bills, job loss, credit card debt, or rising living costs. Two of the most common options available to individuals are Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. While both\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abLegal Insights\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Legal Insights","link":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/category\/legal-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Compare Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 bankruptcy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AdobeStock_503697906.jpeg?fit=1200%2C760&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AdobeStock_503697906.jpeg?fit=1200%2C760&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AdobeStock_503697906.jpeg?fit=1200%2C760&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AdobeStock_503697906.jpeg?fit=1200%2C760&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AdobeStock_503697906.jpeg?fit=1200%2C760&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1654,"url":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/what-happens-after-filing-bankruptcy-in-florida\/","url_meta":{"origin":2317,"position":1},"title":"What Happens After You File Bankruptcy in Florida?","author":"GarciaLegal","date":"mayo 20, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"What Happens After You File Bankruptcy in Florida? Filing bankruptcy can feel overwhelming, especially if you are unsure what happens next. Many people considering bankruptcy ask questions like: \u201cWill creditors stop calling?\u201d \u201cWill I have to go to court?\u201d \u201cHow long does the process take?\u201d \u201cWhat happens to my property?\u201d\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abLegal Insights\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Legal Insights","link":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/category\/legal-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"what happens after you file bankruptcy in Florida","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_321743159.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_321743159.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_321743159.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_321743159.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_321743159.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1642,"url":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/debts-discharged-in-bankruptcy-in-florida\/","url_meta":{"origin":2317,"position":2},"title":"What Debts Can Be Discharged in Bankruptcy in Florida?","author":"GarciaLegal","date":"mayo 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"What Debts Can Be Discharged in Bankruptcy in Florida? If you\u2019re considering bankruptcy, one of the biggest questions you may have is: \u201cWhat debts can bankruptcy actually eliminate?\u201d The answer depends on several factors, including: The type of debt The type of bankruptcy you file Your individual financial situation The\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abLegal Insights\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Legal Insights","link":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/category\/legal-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"What Debts Can Be Discharged in Bankruptcy in Florida?","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_812448524.jpeg?fit=1200%2C832&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_812448524.jpeg?fit=1200%2C832&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_812448524.jpeg?fit=1200%2C832&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_812448524.jpeg?fit=1200%2C832&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_812448524.jpeg?fit=1200%2C832&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":924,"url":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/cost-to-file-bankruptcy-in-miami\/","url_meta":{"origin":2317,"position":3},"title":"How Much Does It Cost to File Bankruptcy in Miami? (2026 Guide)","author":"GarciaLegal","date":"abril 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"If you\u2019re considering bankruptcy, one of the first questions you\u2019re likely asking is: \u201cHow much does it cost to file bankruptcy in Miami?\u201d It\u2019s a fair question\u2014and an important one. Many people who are already struggling with debt worry that they can\u2019t afford legal help. The good news is that\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abLegal Insights\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Legal Insights","link":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/category\/legal-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"How Much Does It Cost to File Bankruptcy in Miami? (2026 Guide)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AdobeStock_1787510653.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AdobeStock_1787510653.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AdobeStock_1787510653.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AdobeStock_1787510653.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AdobeStock_1787510653.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":631,"url":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/chapter-7-bankruptcy-in-miami-explained\/","url_meta":{"origin":2317,"position":4},"title":"Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Miami Explained: A Fresh Start for Financial Relief","author":"GarciaLegal","date":"marzo 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Miami Explained: A Fresh Start for Financial Relief If you\u2019re overwhelmed by debt and searching for answers, you\u2019re not alone. Many individuals and families in Miami face financial challenges at some point\u2014and for many, Chapter 7 bankruptcy offers a real path forward. Despite the stigma, bankruptcy\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abLegal Insights\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Legal Insights","link":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/category\/legal-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Info about a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Miami","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_392562310.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_392562310.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_392562310.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_392562310.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_392562310.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1349,"url":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/qualify-for-bankruptcy-in-florida\/","url_meta":{"origin":2317,"position":5},"title":"Do I Qualify for Bankruptcy in Florida? (Means Test Explained Simply)","author":"GarciaLegal","date":"mayo 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Do I Qualify for Bankruptcy in Florida? If you\u2019re considering bankruptcy, one of the first questions you\u2019re likely asking is: \u201cDo I even qualify?\u201d The good news is that many people are eligible for bankruptcy\u2014even if they\u2019re unsure based on their income or financial situation. In this guide, we\u2019ll explain\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abLegal Insights\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Legal Insights","link":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/category\/legal-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Qualify for Bankruptcy in Florida","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_1213663838.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_1213663838.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_1213663838.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_1213663838.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AdobeStock_1213663838.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alexisgarcia.legal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AdobeStock_1998295601_branded.jpeg?fit=2250%2C1200&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/276886052"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2317"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2320,"href":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2317\/revisions\/2320"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alexisgarcia.legal\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}