For Journalists & Researchers — Everything you need to cover the bankruptcy data gap.
What We Are
Independent research project screening 4.9 million federal bankruptcy cases across 94 judicial districts. No institutional backing, no grants, no conflicts. All data is from public federal sources (FJC, PACER, CourtListener RECAP).
Key Findings
- 48% of Chapter 13 cases end in dismissal — debtors lose fees and get nothing. Full report →
- In a verified multi-district sample, 264 cases filed during a statutory discharge bar; 114 received discharge anyway. Full report →
- No federal database tracks attorney outcomes across districts. Full report →
- A failed Chapter 13 costs $3,400–$5,700+ in non-refundable fees. Full report →
- Four commercialized industries profit from bankruptcy without accountability. Full report →
Data & Methodology
Sources
- Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database — 4.9 million cases (FY 2008–2024)
- CourtListener RECAP Archive — 1.1 million dockets
- PACER — 1,500+ hours of manual research
Methodology
Filing-date-to-filing-date screening per In re Blendheim, cross-referenced against docket records. Full methodology documentation: Methodology →
Open Source
All code is published on GitHub: github.com/ilikemath9999/bankruptcy-discharge-screener
Downloadable Datasets
Aggregate datasets available at /data/.
For Your Story
- Embeddable charts available — contact us for iframe code
- All statistics are independently verifiable using public PACER data
- We can provide district-specific breakdowns on request
- Citation format:
1328f.org, [Report Title], March 2026
Contact
For press inquiries, data requests, or story assistance:
We typically respond within 24 hours. For time-sensitive inquiries, note your deadline.