Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Works in Topeka

Plan completion rates far higher than the national average show chapter 13 bankruptcy works in Topeka, Kansas.  Debtors are receiving discharges and successfully adjusting their debts more often than not in this midwestern division.

“Topeka’s Chapter 13 program has consistently demonstrated a high degree of success, as is evidenced by the ratio of completions to filings in all years since 1999, according to Jan Hamilton, Standing Chapter 13 Trustee.  The percentage of successfully completed Chapter 13 cases is higher that the completion rate for all of Region 20, which consists of Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.    Moreover, it is significantly higher than the national completion rates.”

53.42% – Topeka Division
39.72%  - U.S. Trustee Region 20
(Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico)
22.77%   – National

“While it is difficult to say exactly why the Topeka operation has been so successful,” Hamilton said, “I believe there are several factors involved.  A working relationship has been created between my office and the  bar.  This relationship requires a lot of up front cooperation in making sure that schedules are properly completed, budgets are appropriate and that the plan, as confirmed, has a decent shot at completion.   This approach is in everyone’s best interest.  Work loaded up front means less work on the back end.”

Topeka

Region 20

National Totals

Fiscal Year

Comple-tions
Cases

Filed
% ofFilings

Comple-tions
CasesFiled
% ofFilings

Comple-tions
CasesFiled
% ofFilings

1999

523
1,223
42.76%

2,375
6,232
38.11%

86,111
349,675
24.63%

2000

596
1,085
54.93%

3,022
6,010
50.28%

97,164
342,283
28.39%

2001

712
1,042
68.33%

3,333
6,381
52.23%

116,156
374,464
31.02%

2002

684
1,147
59.63%

3,184
6,431
49.51%

124,362
410,043
30.33%

2003

544
1,283
42.40%

2,685
6,906
38.88%

121,283
433,890
27.95%

2004

457
1,177
38.83%

2,006
6,943
28.89%

121,336
414,363
29.28%

2005

507
1,431
35.43%

2,257
7,306
30.89%

122,316
390,972
31.29%

2006

577
926
62.31%

2,626
4,848
54.17%

131,185
253,482
51.75%

2007

649
1,034
62.77%

2,915
5,064
57.56%

138,065
281,337
49.07%

2008

750
1,046
71.70%

3,026
5,284
57.27%

133,326
323,591
41.20%

2009

700
1,152
60.76%

2,914
5,785
50.37%

117,009
362,843
32.25%

2010

539
1,099
49.04%

2,403
6,276
38.29%

102,524
400,387
25.61%

2011

586
1,097
53.42%

2,294
5,775
39.72%

87,557
384,600
22.77%

2012

390
704
55.40%