I have. And I've gone to the bankruptcy courts with pals for the hearings and judgements - I wanted to learn. Now, of course, I was in CA -- and what I got to sit through for hours was people who should not have been filing for bankruptcy. In nearly all the cases, it was due frivolous spending. Or, people whose jobs died in CA, and the people kept thinking another job would come to them.
The Bankruptcy laws did need amending, IME. There were repeat "bankruptees" in court: 2nd and 3rd-time filing for bankruptcies.
Perhaps this is different in other parts of the country.
And yes, I continue to hear from acquaintances of their copings with Collections.
I don't deny that hardship exists in the world, and it cuts across all demographic strata. Hardship is called hardship for a reason. Been there. Been through it. But mixing up Hardship with self-inflicted suffering are two different matters; and should be.
Nonetheless, Merry Christmas, M. Dodge Thomas, to you and yours.
And to you and yours!