Bankruptcies on the rise in Maine

AUGUSTA – Bankruptcy filings are on the rise in Maine ahead of new federal bankruptcy regulations that will give consumers less protection against creditors.

There were 280 bankruptcy petitions filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Bangor in May, up 60 percent from May of last year. In Portland’s bankruptcy court, 205 petitions were filed in May, representing a 43 percent jump from a year ago.

Bankruptcy attorneys say filings have increased over the past few months as people try to initiate their cases before the new bankruptcy rules go into effect this fall.

Under the new bankruptcy regulations, which were signed into law in April, many debtors will have to work out repayment plans instead of having their obligations erased in bankruptcy court. Congress passed the legislation after being pushed for eight years by banks and credit card companies.

Attorney P.J. Pat Perrino, the Chapter 7 standing trustee for U.S. Bankruptcy Court, said he expects bankruptcy filings to settle down to normal levels in December after the new law goes into effect.

“We’re having a blip right now,” Perrino said.

The new bankruptcy regulations represent the biggest rewrite of U.S. bankruptcy law in a quarter century.

The measure requires people with incomes above a certain level to pay some or all of their credit card charges, medical bills and other obligations under a court-ordered bankruptcy plan.

Supporters say the new law is more fair for debtors and creditors, will cut down on fraud and bring stability to the nation’s financial system.

Perrino, who has been a trustee for 15 years, sees people in the same situation month after month.

“It has all to do with the economy in this area and all the credit card companies,” he said.

He blames easy access to credit through banks that mail offer after offer to people, including those who recently declared bankruptcy. He routinely sees people who have run up tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt.

“People live above their means,” he said. “Whose fault is it? The debtor or the people at the banks lending out the money? They’re performing a fraud on the American people.”