Bankruptcy filing in 2009 jump 32%. There were more than 1.4 million filings in 2009. The largest number since 2005. Experts believe that 2010 may see even more. There were 116,000 filing in December alone.

The filings reflect the severity of the one of the worst recessions since World War II. In fact, states that suffered most from the real estate bust some of the biggest gains.

Filings in 2005 hit 2 million as many people wanted to get into court before the bankruptcy law was overhauled, pushed by lenders who wanted to make it harder to walk away from debts.

Filings fell to 600,000 in 2006 but have been rising ever since.