The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts reported 574,314 total bankruptcy filings for the 12 months ending December 31, 2025. That was up from 517,308 in the prior period. The courts described the increase as 11 percent overall, with non-business filings up 11.2 percent to 549,577 and business filings up 7.1 percent to 24,737.
The same announcement says filings fell from nearly 1.6 million in September 2010 to a low of 380,634 in June 2022. Those comparison points provide context, but they do not identify a cause for a particular estate's filing or property record.
Bankruptcy filing trend 2025 estate research
For an estate research memo, the national trend can explain why bankruptcy docket coverage is a distinct research step. It cannot answer whether a decedent filed, whether a debtor owned real estate, or whether a creditor's claim affects an estate. Search the appropriate court record using the matter's names, district, case number, and dates.
| Figure | Period or definition |
|---|---|
| 574,314 | Total filings, 12 months ending December 31, 2025 |
| 549,577 | Non-business filings in that period |
| 24,737 | Business filings in that period |
| 517,308 | Prior 12-month total |
| Nearly 1.6 million | High cited by the courts, September 2010 |
| 380,634 | Low cited by the courts, June 2022 |
The national estate-property bankruptcy guide keeps filing counts separate from title evidence. The county filing data guide explains why local totals need the district and reporting period.
Limitation
The figures are court-system counts. They are not a rate of bankruptcy among estates and do not measure the number of properties affected. Use them as background and cite the underlying docket for a matter-level conclusion.
Source
- Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Bankruptcy filings rise 11 percent, accessed August 10, 2026.
**Professional disclaimer:** This is general research, not legal, bankruptcy, title, or fiduciary advice.