Corporate Bankruptcy
Corporate Bankruptcy
When a public company files for bankruptcy under federal bankruptcy laws, there are many complex and complicated issues to consider. What can happen to the company? Can the company continue to do business, or is it automatically liquidated? What about investors, vendors, and others that may have an ownership stake in the company? And those questions just scratch the surface. In a broad stroke of explaining a corporate bankruptcy, when a company is faced with crippling debt, a downturn in the business and/or business climate and is unable to continue to be profitable a decision must be made about that company’s future. Generally speaking, the federal bankruptcy laws govern and dictate how a company handles going out of business or dealing with overwhelming debt. Depending upon the dynamics of the company, the debt, the assets and the company’s viability to continue to try to business will help to steer the decision to either Chapter 11, or "reorganization" or Chapter 7, "liquidation. The bankrupt company, also known as the "debtor" can file Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code to "reorganize" its assets and business and continue to do business. While the management continues to handle the small, dailiy details of the business, the bankruptcy court must approve of any large scale business decisions. The company’s stocks and bonds may still continue to be traded with the oversight and involvement of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). Meanwhile, a plan is developed that will be the potential blueprint as to how the company will deal with the debt and emerge from the reorganization as a viable, healthy business once again. That plan that is developed to get the company out of debt and back to profitability must be approved by the creditors, stockholders and bondholders and, of course, confirmed by the court. However, the court could confirm the bankruptcy without the approval of the other parties if they feel that the plan would be fair and actionable. And, of course, a company may begin the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process and still end up liquidating if it is unable to turn the business around and become profitable. The company can also file Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code and cease all business operations. The court appoints a "trustee" to liquidate the company’s remaining assets to pay off debt that is owed to creditors and investors. All administrative and legal fees are paid first, then the creditors and/or investors. In this case, after legal fees and administrative fees are handled, how are the investors paid? 1. First in line are the investors who the secured creditors because they extended the credit to the company based off of tangible assets of the company. 2. Bondholders are typically next in line as the bonds actually represent the debt of the company. The company issues the bonds with the pledge to pay interest and return their principal. The full principal may not be paid back, however, depending upon the liquidation. 3. Stockholders are next. While they own a stake in the company, it is done with much more risk. So when the company is doing extremely well, so does the shareholder. Unfortunately, when the company does poorly, or goes under, the shareholder stands to lose money, or receive nothing at all. 4. Last, but not least, are the owner(s) of the company. They would be the last to be paid if the company goes bankrupt.
This is a very broad recap of how a corporate bankruptcy works. If you, or you company, is looking into a corporate bankruptcy, you should talk immediately to a bankruptcy attorney. If you have concerns that you are doing business with a company that may be on the verge of bankruptcy, or a company that is in bankruptcy, you also have rights and should contact a bankruptcy attorney or securities attorney. If there has been any fraud involved you should know your legal options. Furthermore, if you have questions about a company entering bankruptcy or in bankruptcy and you own stocks or bonds in that company you can contact the company’s investor relations representatives, the broker who sold you your investment, even contact the bankruptcy court hearing the company’s bankruptcy. The bottom line is that a reputable bankruptcy attorney can help you understand your options whether you are the owner of the company, a vendor of the company, or an investor. 
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Small Business Bankruptcy
If your small business is facing overwhelming debt and your business is in trouble, there are bankruptcy options for you and your small business. If your business is a corporation, limited liability or partnership, you can file Chapter 7 or Chapter 11. These types of business are legal entities that are separate from their shareholders or partners. If your business is a proprietorship, your business is basically an extenstion of you, the owner. You cannot file bankruptcy "alone", as assets and debts of the proprietorship are actually YOUR assets and liabilities as the proprietor. You, as the individual owner, can file Chapter 7, Chapter 11 or possibly Chapter 13. For a small business, Chapter 11, a reorganization, takes a huge amount of work of everyone involved with the business, as well as legal counsel, working with the bankruptcy courts, and dealing with your creditors. You have to be prepared for a great deal of negotiation, energy and time. A full and thorough accounting of your assets and liabilties is disclosed to the bankruptcy court and creditors, and this financial reporting is continued throughout the process. However, with this process, your business comes under the automatic stay, which can give you, the time and room to continue to do business without having to be dealing personally with your creditors. Unfortunately, few small business emerge from Chapter 11. This process becomes overwhelming, the time that it takes to deal with the bankruptcy AND the daily business matters is simply too daunting. Even with legal counsel and best intentions, it is often just too complicated to draft a plan that not only addresses the debt of the company, but also how they will come out of this "meaner and leaner" and able to do business in what can be a struggling business niche to begin with. The reality is that for many small businesses, Chapter 7, or liquidation, is the best solution. If the business niche is oversaturated, or a niche that is struggling, it may not be viable for a business to continue in that business environment. Your small business may simply not have assets or a special qualiity that can keep your business viable, such as a strategic advantage, or intellectual properties that will make the business viable for the long run. Finally, many small businesses simply have too much debt and too few assets and a restructuring is simply not possible. In Chapter 7, corporations don’t get the same kind of discharge as an individual does. Instead, in Chapter 7, the business liquidates the assets with the direction of the trustee that is appointed. Creditors are paid depending upon the liquidated cash amount of the assets and where they stand in line. Some creditors may be "secured" in that they extended the credit based off of tangible assets (which are now being liquidated). Because corporations don’t get the discharge, and "fresh start" if you will, why not just cease operations, sell off what you can and let the state just end the corporate existence? Aside from the ethics of such a decision, there are legal issues that make it a better choice to still go through the Chapter 7 process. You may have creditors that can lien or levy assets for which you are personally liable and have personally guaranteed. Even if you are not legally liable for the debt, your creditors can sue you, and make for a very expensive court battle, also tying up your time in attempting to obtain a new job or launch a new company. These decision are complex and difficult at best. There are many emotional components to the bankruptcy question as well, as a small business owner, it is devastating to think of your hard work, your sweat equity and your dream being dismantled, sold off and ending in a manner that you never wanted to imagine. There are ethics involved, and many small business owners do not want to think of how it will be seen and handled by fellow business owners, business connections and the community at large. A small business owner can feel like a failure, and this time can be incredibly stressful, impacting their life in a variety of ways. This brief explanation of how a small business can be impacted by bankruptcy is just that, a brief recap. This does not constitute legal advice. There are far more complex issues and considerations beyond these few paragraphs that you will need to consider and potentially face should you file for bankruptcy.
However, there are small business bankruptcy attorneys that can make this process far easier for you, can assist you in getting the bankruptcy done quickly and efficiently so that you can move on, and can make sure that you are legally covered to the best extent possible. A bankruptcy attorney will make sure that your best interest in considered at every step, and that you make the right decisions for you and your business.
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How To Keep Your Business Out Of Bankruptcy
Businesses Filing for Bankruptcy presents the following thoughts on how to keep your business out of bankruptcy. There are alternatives to filing for bankruptcy, contact a bankruptcy attorney in your area to know all of your options.
It is very easy to drive your business towards bankruptcy and debt and a very, very hard to get out of it. Debt consolidation is the most convenient way to ensure your business with a cash flow when you need it.
Maybe you are the owner of the business that has borrowed big amounts from lenders but have the trouble paying them back the money you owe them. Such things happen for a lot of reasons, some could be controlled by you while others are out of your control. For example you could have invested in an unprofitable enterprise or your company could have experienced a growth so fast that it has outgrown its operating capital.
Whatever the cause of your financial problems may be, there are debt consolidation companies that can help a business like yours to run financial assets more efficiently. Another plus of hiring these companies is that they are actually cheaper then hiring your own CPA. What debt consolidation will do for your company is reorganization of your debt in order to enable a more efficient cash flow for your company.
Debt consolidation of your business debts will make it possible to merge your debts and loans in one low interest payment instead of many payments with high interest. Debt management company is going to use that lump sum and will actually act as a manager of your company debts.
Debt management companies are much better way to solve your financial problems then filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it is traditionally done. What filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 will do is that it will cause a huge delay together with high cost expenditures.
Before any step is taken towards the debt consolidation you will need to hire a professional and go through the debt consultation. Another waist of time is waiting for a plan approval by the Trustee. That alone can take months or even years. And in most cases a company doesn’t have that much time to lose.
In many points business debt consolidation is very similar to a student loan consolidation. In case of student loans, as graduate you are in position to hire a debt consolidation expert to help her/him with combining all of the many student loans in just one with significantly lower interests.
A graduate will then pay off hers/his debt much easier on monthly basis through much longer period of time. Looking at it from a long term perspective it will enable student to save significant amount of money that can be used elsewhere or for investing. The same principle can be applied for business debt consolidation.
What you should avoid is getting deeper in debt by applying for more loans, you can always find a lender wiling to loan you the money, but with a very high interest rates. You can think about borrowing the money if you know for certain that your profits will rise for a long period of time and that is very unlikely.
Another way to get financial help is to go through credit union. Credit unions are a good solution because they will work with you to prevent business bankruptcy and pay back your debts and not against you as loans sometimes can.
By: Nikola Govorko
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
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Bankruptcy Law And How To Get Your Credit Back
by: Derek Gardner
Businesses Filing for Bankruptcy offers the following thoughts on how to get your credit back after bankruptcy. There are alternatives to bankruptcy, ensure that you work with a top bankruptcy lawyer in your area to explore and understand ALL of your options!
Personal Bankruptcy what is it?
Personal Bankruptcy is legal procedures that enables a debtor to for the time being or lastingly avoid paying some of their personal debt unpaid. The US Congress enacted the existing bankruptcy code in 1978, and newly amended it in the spring of 2005.The objective of the legislation is to give relief and structure to those people of society who have gotten themselves so deep into debt they can not possibly pay back. Currently there are 2 forms of bankruptcy that are available for individuals: chapter 13 & chapter 7.
Will you be able to get credit again?
Undoubtedly, the banks have become better at working with people who have filed for personal bankruptcy. You can get a new kind of protected credit card, where a deposit is made to cover the line of credit. This card is the start of the process of credit restoration. Within a couple of years, the banks will start giving you credit again.
What about my creditors?
You might worry about your creditors harassing you, and if they will ever get off your back. They will! By law all activities against a debtor must end when bankruptcy papers have been filed with the government.
Will anybody know that I filed?
Very few people will know that you have filed for Bankruptcy. The file goes into the public record. Credit bureaus will keep a documentation of your filing for 10 years.
Changes made to the bankruptcy laws?
The "Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005" was passed by congress in spring of 2005 and will be effective on October 17th, 2005. The purpose of the act was to force people who have enough money to make some of the payments on their debt make those payments instead than steer clear of the debt all together. The major changes are:
Tests are performed to identify the ability of the debtor to pay their debts. The tests are: Is the family earning higher than the average income for their state? If yes, does the family have enough income to pay some or all of their debts?
Debtors wishing to filing for bankruptcy must give the government their most recent tax return.
A minimum 2 year residency is required to take advantage of state exceptions.
Counselling: Debtors must have completed a federally approved credit counselling program within the six months prior to filing.
Child support and Alimony payments were moved to first priority when dividing the income.
About The Author
Derek Gardner
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Small Business Filing Bankruptcy
Businesses Filling for Bankruptcy offers the following thoughts on small business bankruptcy. There may be alternatives to bankruptcy, so contact a bankruptcy attorney in your area to help walk you through all of your options.
Small business bankruptcy may be the most responsible way to alleviate financial debt without losing everything.
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Businesses Filing for Bankruptcy offers the following recap of the basics of bankruptcy. There are alternatives to bankruptcy, it is recommended that you discuss ALL of your options with a bankruptcy attorney in your area.
BANKRUPTCY BASICS
The Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) gives the force of law to several national policies or values. First is the value of allowing a debtor a breathing spell and a fresh start, the chance for a productive future unburdened by past debts and mistakes. Second is the value of a fair distribution of a debtor’s property among creditors. The federal bankruptcy system is designed to achieve an orderly, equitable distribution of the debtor’s assets under court supervision and compulsion. By contrast, state law on creditors’ rights has been called "grab law." Each creditor grabs what it can, and the debtor is dismembered. The swift creditor is rewarded. The slow creditor gets nothing.
TWO TYPES OF BANKRUPTCIES: CHAPTER 7 AND CHAPTER 11
Under Chapter 7, the debtor’s assets are simply liquidated. Upon filing a Chapter 7 petition, the debtor turns its keys over to a private trustee and walks out of business. The trustee is appointed by the Office of the U.S. Trustee (a part of the Justice Department that generally monitors bankruptcy proceedings). The filing of the Chapter 7 petition creates a "bankruptcy estate" that the trustee administers for the benefit of creditors. The trustee locates and liquidates everything of value that the debtor had.
Under Chapter 11, the debtor stays in possession of its assets. Its business continues. It proposes a plan of reorganization. The plan usually proposes a restructuring of debts and can affect equity. A committee of creditors may arise as a counterweight to the debtor, monitoring the debtor’s handling of the business, particularly the handling of cash and equivalents, called "cash collateral." The creditors’ committee may urge and participate in the debtors’ development of a plan. After 120 days, during which the debtor has the exclusive right to propose a plan, the creditors’ committee or an equity security holders’ committee may propose a plan. The creditors’ committee, viewed mainly as an interference by debtor, can nevertheless benefit the debtor. The tension created by the committee’s monitoring can help debtor obtain approval for rehabilitative steps if and when debtor can show the court that the committee approves. Ultimately, in a typical Chapter 11, debtor proposes a plan and a disclosure statement. Creditors may vote against the plan, but the court may approve a plan it deems fair ("cramdown"). Bankruptcy Code Section 1129(b). If debtor does not propose a plan, the case may be converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation or dismissed. An alternative to the plan process may be a sale of assets, then a liquidation.
Selecting Chapter 7 or Chapter 11- For a business contemplating bankruptcy, a key inquiry in deciding between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 is whether the business can be rehabilitated. If the future can be better than the past, then the considerable requirements of Chapter 11 may be worthwhile. The requirements include substantial initial filings, regular reporting to U.S. Trustee, answering to creditors, and developing a plan, not to mention the expense. The demands of Chapter 11, for debtor as well as creditors, should not be underestimated. If hope for rehabilitation is gone, Chapter 7 is the option.
AUTOMATIC STAY
Creditors must stand still from the moment of filing, by virtue of the "automatic stay" (or injunction) on new lawsuits, continuation of old lawsuits, letters, and phone calls to the debtor. Bankruptcy Code Section 362(a). Relief from stay may be sought by motion. Bankruptcy Code Section 362(d). Grounds are "cause" (not defined) or, if creditor wants to act against property, the debtor has no equity in the property and the property is not necessary to an effective reorganization. Stay relief motions are expedited.
CREDITOR STATUS
Secured Creditors -The distribution scheme pays secured creditors first. Determination of secured status is important. Under Bankruptcy Code Section 506, a claim is secured to the extent of the value of the creditor’s interest in the estate’s interest in property. For example, the estate includes a 50 percent interest in a warehouse. The warehouse is worth a million dollars, so that the value of the estate’s interest is $500,000. A creditor has a claim in the amount of $600,000, secured by the estate’s interest in the warehouse. The creditor is secured to $500,000, and unsecured in the amount of $100,000.
Unsecured Creditors:
Priority Claims – Some unsecured claims have priority. Bankruptcy Code Section 507. Among these are: administrative expenses (including costs of preserving the estate and post-petition taxes on the estate, compensation of the trustee and his or her attorney, and compensation of a creditor that recovers concealed property of the estate); wages earned by an employee within 90 days before filing of the petition); and certain contributions owed to an employee benefit plan.
Other Unsecured Claims – Without priority, a claim is a general unsecured claim, vulnerable to impairment or extinguishment under Chapter 7 or Chapter 11.
INVOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY
Most bankruptcies are voluntary, but involuntary bankruptcy may occur. Bankruptcy Code 303. For example, creditors see debtor selling off assets and distributing money to employees and shareholders to the detriment of creditors. Or creditors see debtor in a downward spiral so that creditor with a chance for 50 cents on the dollar in May will get 20 cents in September. Creditors may confer and file an involuntary petition, placing debtor in Chapter 7 or Chapter 11. If debtor has at least 12 creditors, at least three must sign the involuntary petition. Other creditors may join later. Creditors can make the petition stick if "the debtor is generally not paying such debtor’s debts as such debts become due unless such debts are the subject of a bona fide dispute." Bankruptcy Code Section 303(h) (1).
THE DISCHARGE
A main goal of the voluntary bankruptcy debtor is the discharge or, for practical purposes, extinguishment of the debtor’s debts. Just as the automatic stay precludes pursuit of the debtor during the pendency of the bankruptcy case, the discharge precludes creditor’s recovery after the conclusion of the bankruptcy case. Judgments against the debtor are voided. The practitioner should note that a post-discharge complaint filed against debtor still must be answered; debtor pleads the discharge as an affirmative defense. During the pendency of the bankruptcy case, however, a creditor may file a complaint (a separate lawsuit under the umbrella of the main bankruptcy proceeding) to have that creditor’s debt excepted from a discharge because, for example, that particular debt was obtained by fraud or is a debt arising from a fiduciary duty. Bankruptcy Code Section 523. Also, a creditor may file a complaint urging that debtor be denied a discharge of all debts because, for example, debtor has concealed property, or destroyed records necessary to determine debts, or because debtor has otherwise been uncooperative with the Bankruptcy Court. Bankruptcy Code Section 727.
PREFERENCES AND FRAUDULENT TRANSFERS
Preferences – Anticipating disaster for the business, debtor may transfer title to the warehouse to an officer of the company who had lent the company a bundle. Or debtor may simply pay a supplier 100 percent of its balance due, and days later, in bankruptcy, leave other creditors only 20 cents on the dollar. In the name of equity, a transfer of the debtor’s interest in property may be avoided by the trustee or the debtor in possession as a "preference" among creditors. A preference is a transfer: (1) to or for the benefit of a creditor; (2) for an "antecedent debt" owed by the debtor before the transfer; (3) made while the debtor was insolvent; (4) made between 90 days and one year before the debtor filed bankruptcy, if the transfer is to an insider [defined in Bankruptcy Code Section 101(31)], and within 90 days before filing if the transfer was to a non-insider creditor; and (5) the creditor received more than under Chapter 7 liquidation. Bankruptcy Code Section 547(b). The transferee, receiving the bitter news that he must disgorge money fairly earned, may defend. Defenses include "a contemporaneous exchange for new value" and "ordinary course of business." Bankruptcy Code Section 547(c).
Fraudulent Transfers – A fraudulent transfer, also avoidable, is a transfer made with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors, or, regardless of intent, made for less than reasonably equivalent value. For example, when the bank is about to foreclose, the debtor may not transfer the warehouse to the president’s aunt or uncle as a gift, or convey title in a "sale" for $1,000. Bankruptcy Code Section 548.
This has been a glimpse of a complex area. Subjects mentioned here, as well as others in the bankruptcy process, warrant close examination in addressing the client’s particular facts.
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