MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for New Hampshire is seeing a surge in bankruptcy filings, as people hurry to erase their debts before a new law takes effect next week.

The new law will make it harder for people to wipe out their debts and start over. People who aren’t allowed to erase their debts will have to go to an approved debt counselor and set up a plan to repay their creditors.

The court reports that it received 723 bankruptcy filings last month, compared to fewer than 400 in September 2004.

Local lawyers saying they’re having to turn people away because they’re overwhelmed with bankruptcy cases.

AP-ES-10-10-05 1401EDT