The continuing economic squeeze is showing up in Connecticut bankruptcy courts.

Personal and corporate bankruptcies jumped last month, compared to September 2001.

Chapter 7, 11 and 13 filings for September were up, despite the fact that total bankruptcies were down for the year in the state’s three bankruptcy courts in Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport.

September saw 915 new bankruptcy filings across the state compared to the 856 filed in September 2001, according to Roberta Rickert, executive administrative assistant to the Connecticut bankruptcy clerk in Hartford.

From January to September of 2001 a total of 8,835 bankruptcies were declared. In 2002, for that same period there were 7,816 filings.

Attorney Lawrence Dressler said he’s definitely seen an increase in personal bankruptcies.

“Mostly it’s credit cards,” Dressler said. “Most of the people, unfortunately, are not very good at juggling their bills.” Dressler said people see the cards as an easy way to pay for things and get in over their heads.

–Associated Press