Based on the current problems in the mortgage realm, has the instances of bankruptcies increased significantly over the past several years or have trends shown them staying about the same?

I have heard that bankruptcies are on the upside.  I would think It will continue until the real estate market stops falling and starts rising again.

Bankruptcy is very much on the rise. People borrow money on good faith and the lending companies charge so much interest that you never really get out of debt. Mortgages are very high, credit card companies charge a lot in interest. What can people do when things get too much for them? The government has to watch these lending agencies.