Bankruptcy filings rise in Whatcom County

DAVE GALLAGHER - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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After a couple of months of relatively low filings, the number of local bankruptcies jumped to its highest level in three years.

According to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Seattle, Whatcom County had 67 filings in October, the highest total since October 2005, when there were significant changes to the rules which made it more difficult to file.

The 67 filings are up from 45 filings in September and 38 in August. Year-over-year, it's a 36.6 percent increase.

For the year, the county has had 469 bankruptcy filings, up 35.9 percent compared to the same period last year, when there were 345 filings.

Bankruptcy filings have been rising throughout Western Washington in 2008. Last month the bankruptcy court in Seattle had 982 filings, up 61.2 percent year-over-year. King County saw a 64.7 percent jump in filings year-over-year, rising to 509 filings last month.