We also have to put some of the problems with bankruptcy on the financial industry and business in Utah. Because the laws favor the lenders to force and garnish repayment the financial industry has given credit and loans with no checks and balances with the ability to repay. Better consumer laws and a more restrictive credit system can eliminate many bankruptcy's. If companies and business insist on easy unsecured credit, then they should bear the losses for being irresponsible lenders.

With Utah's income restriction laws, very large illegal aliens workforce, and welfare to supplement low wages of employers, has driven many low and middle income families to rely on easy to get credit cards as supplemental income. Families in stress with needs are going to use whatever they can get their hands on to ease finances. Utah has one of the lowest yearly income workforces of many states in the nation so its only logical that Utah will have a higher bankruptcy rate. How well the workforce is paid is directly related to bankruptcy's. Average jobs in Utah are well below the national poverty level putting us in bankruptcy more often.

Credit Unions are a great help. For people in debt, the rates are generally a little bit lower, compared with average banking. I know that for me, credit unions have been a great help for getting out of debt. Because the interest rates are smaller, more of my total payment can go toward principal.

This article fails to recognize that one of the strongest influences on the bankruptcy rate is the increasing influence of modern media in the lives of the public. Indeed, the modern entertainment industry continues to promote immorality, greed, and selfishness. All three of these qualities lead to financial disaster in the lives of those who practice them. If the public would return to the old fashioned values that made this Country great, such as thrift, moderation, and respect for others, the bankruptcy rate would decrease dramatically.

I remember a few years ago when the bankruptcy reform bill was being debated. Credit card companies argues that their rates were high because it was too easy to file bankruptcy. If it was made more difficult rates would come down. I think they lied.

Healthcare costs, in another study, were one of the main debts debtors in Utah sought relief for. Our healthcare system is very monopolistic and unfair. You can't charge every customer a different price for a car or a hamburger. But you can a medical procedure. (You can't even find out from healthcare providers the cost to you for most procedures before the fact).

Yes, credit card companies lied about bringing down interest rates. Is anyone surprised? Of course, Orrin Hatch was one who abetted those moneysuckers in getting that harsher bankruptcy law passed. But then, the law has become a rich man's game.

Although enough people have misused the word that the dictionary now recognizes it, properly speaking, a creditor does not "garnishee" someone's wages. The creditor "garnishes" the wages using a writ of garnishment. A "garnishee" is the person whose wages are garnished by a writ of garnishment.

Roland, I refuse to believe that any large U.S. business engaged in a life or death struggle for its corporate existence would knowingly attempt to mislead any consumer about the virtues of its products or services. I'm sure such dastardly behavior has never occurred before in the history of our Grand Republic. Why do you hate America so?

What about all these 20'somethings that make start making a little $ and go out and buy these HUGE new Monster houses, New SUVs, new clothes, New boats, New ATVs, new, new new.......rack up massive debt. Then suddenly - boom, no job.
Whaaaaaa!

I NEVER saw anything like it when I was that age, and never saw anything like it in any of the 4 of the other states I've lived in.

This IS a Utah problem.
Why not add that into the research?

By time people are sinking financially, their credit is gone. Sixty percent of bankruptcies are form medical bills. Donald Trump has gone bankrupt twice keeping his reputation and wealth.

Bankruptcy as a stigma if you working for a living. This stigma doesn't apply to American aristocracy. Neil Bush and savings and loans.