N.H. bankruptcy filings reach 25-year low in January

Eight business-related bankruptcies reported

New Hampshire started 2015 at a low, and that's good news when it comes to bankruptcies

According to preliminary January figures, 155 households and businesses filed for bankruptcy protection, the lowest number filed in a quarter of a century, unless you count 2006, the year after federal bankruptcy law changes made it more difficult for people to file.

The 155 total is two fewer than the previous low of 157, which was reached last August. Before that, you have to go back to the beginning of 1990, when 135 people filed for bankruptcy in January and 148 in February.

There were 15 fewer filings in January 2015 then in December 2014 and 26 percent fewer compared to January 2014.

There were eight filings related to a business. Two were filed specifically as businesses and six households filed with recent business-related debt. As in past practice, NHBR will list the related businesses, but not the individual:

 • EDS Appraisal Services, Derry, filed Jan. 8, Chapter 13. Assets: $240,476. Liabilities: $376,157.

 • Doubleday Custom Wood Products, Lochmere, filed Jan. 20, Chapter 7. Assets: $19,120. Liabilities: $192,763.

 • Halliday Pipeline Inc., Hancock, filed Jan 22, Chapter 7. Assets and Liabilities: $100,000 to $500,000. (Business filing).

 • Just Labor, Milford, filed Jan. 23, Chapter 7. Assets: $156,947. Liabilities: $577,723.

 • Cocheco Communications, Dover, filed Jan. 27, Chapter 13. Assets: $293,108. Liabilities: $337,801.

 • Baker River Realty, Rumney, filed Jan. 30, Chapter 7. Assets: $582,518. Liabilities: $586,795.

 • WebTronyx LLC., Tilton, filed Jan. 30, Chapter 7. Assets: $0. Liabilities: $4,781. (Business filing).

 • Antczak Building & Remodeling, Salem, filed Jan. 30, Chapter 7. Assets: $32,585. Liabilities: $68,640.