Arizonans filing for bankruptcy up 60 percent (The Arizona Republic)

As you search for a debt consolidation loan make sure you do your due diligence by shopping around and asking questions whenever you feel lost by the "financial jargon" or the whole process in general. If you do your part, you'll greatly increase your chances or working with a reputable company that's not out to take advantage of your current poor financial situation.

Arizonans filing for bankruptcy up 60 percent (The Arizona Republic)

Credit-card debt, real estate troubles and other factors are pushing up bankruptcies in Arizona and elsewhere. Even so, filings are well below their former peaks.

Laughlin Ranch files bankruptcy (Mohave Valley News)

BULLHEAD CITY - In a one-two punch Friday, an attorney representing Laughlin Ranch announced it has filed for bankruptcy and a California-based company is interested in buying the master-planned upscale community on the Bullhead Parkway.

Utah bankruptcy filings are up 25#x25 for first 6 months (Deseret Morning News)

The number of Utahns filing for bankruptcy rose in June and is up 25 percent through the first six months of this year when compared to the same period of 2006.

More seniors going broke (The Saginaw News)

Mid-Michigan senior citizens are echoing a national trend by filing for bankruptcy more than ever, a Saginaw attorney says. "The economy is not good right now, and it's affecting everyone," said Martin Wilson of Swartz & Wilson.

Temecula winery files for bankruptcy (The Press-Enterprise)

Operators of the Rancho de Andallusia Vineyard & Winery LLC in Temecula have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, after the business was hit with two recent fraud lawsuits brought by more than a dozen investors.

Housing Bubble and Real Estate Market Tracker (Seeking Alpha via Yahoo! Finance)

A roundup of articles and data about the housing market.

Court ruling helps protect creditorsâ€™ rights (River Valley Business Report)

Bankruptcy courts have been notoriously debtor-friendly over the years, existing for the sole purpose of giving debtors a fresh start. But a recent Supreme Court ruling broke with custom to give creditors a break.

The Fat Lady Sings For A Music Giant (CBS News)

"Going Out of Business" signs went up this week at Tower Records' 89 stores in 20 states. The 46-year-old music retailer faces liquidation, and the chain's 3,000 employees have been told they will be laid off.

Expert: Justin Harelik (Bankrate.com)

Dear Bankruptcy Adviser, Is it OK to try to refinance our home for a lower monthly payment even though we know that we will most likely be filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in three months -- when my savings run out and our second home goes into foreclosure?

LOCAL BRIEFS (Dallas Morning News)

A group of Earth Biofuels Inc. noteholders has filed an involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition against the struggling biodiesel fuel producer. The Dallas company hasn't been paying its debts as they become due, according to the petition filed Wednesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del.