The Failure of Bankruptcy's Fresh Start

63 Pages Posted: 3 Apr 2006

See all articles by Katherine M. Porter

Katherine M. Porter

University of California - Irvine School of Law

Deborah Thorne

University of Idaho

Abstract

An untested assumption of Chapter 7 bankruptcy is that it rehabilitates debtors for a fresh start in the economy. Using original, longitudinal data, we examine this assumption against the realities of life after bankruptcy. Our findings challenge the fresh start as the theoretical underpinning for consumer bankruptcy relief. We found that just one year after bankruptcy, one in four debtors was struggling to pay routine bills, and one in three debtors reported an overall financial situation similar to, or worse than, when they filed bankruptcy. Our analysis of these data demonstrates that steady and sufficient income is the key to improved post-bankruptcy financial health. Factors that cause household income to decline, such as unemployment and underemployment, illness or injury, and old age, undermine the chances of financial recovery. These data reveal the limitations of bankruptcy as a social safety net and highlight the fragile economic situations of American families. We conclude that bankruptcy is an incomplete tool to rehabilitate those in financial distress, and we suggest adjustments to bankruptcy law and social programs that will improve the ability of consumers to achieve a fresh start after financial failure.

Keywords: Bankruptcy, consumer bankruptcy, consumer credit, fresh start, consumer debt

JEL Classification: K29

Suggested Citation

Porter, Katherine M. and Thorne, Deborah, The Failure of Bankruptcy's Fresh Start. Cornell Law Review, Vol. 92, 2006, U Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 05-46, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=894453

Katherine M. Porter (Contact Author)

University of California - Irvine School of Law ( email )

401 E. Peltason Dr.
Ste. 1000
Irvine, CA 92697-1000
United States

Deborah Thorne

University of Idaho ( email )

Moscow, ID 83844
United States

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