Small Business Bankruptcy Attorney in White Plains
How Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Can Help Small Businesses
Many small businesses have fallen on hard times in the last few years for various reasons ranging from economic fluctuations to lost customers, and most recently, the pandemic.
The Small Business Reorganization Act is a recently enacted bankruptcy option for small businesses. However, navigating the complexities of the filing process can be daunting without the help of a qualified attorney. That’s where I come in.
The SBRA is a less expensive and more manageable subset of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and I can help small business owners use it to simplify the bankruptcy process.
How Does The Small Business Reorganization Act Work?
So how does the SBRA work? To put it simply, the SBRA allows you to propose a reorganization plan of of your business debts under simpler rules and lower costs and allows a business owner to maintain control over their business affairs as long as they comply with bankruptcy rules and procedures.
Before SBRA, or the Small Business Reorganization Act, became law on February 19, 2020, small businesses in financial trouble had only two options:
- Filing for Chapter 7
- Or traditional Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Neither was an ideal option for small businesses. Chapter 7 is a liquidation that does not result in a discharge for businesses. and Chapter 11 has historically been an extremely expensive and difficult process for smaller companies.
Qualifying and Filing for SBRA
Qualifying and Filing for SBRA
In order to qualify, the debt at issue must be at least 50% business related.
The business itself meet certain basic qualifications to be a debtor under the SBRA, including:
- Being engaged in commercial or business activities (but excluding a business whose primary activity is the business of owning a single asset real estate)
- At least 50% of the debts at issue must arise from the commercial or business activities of the debtor
- And the debt must not exceed a debt limit for secured and unsecured debts of $2,725,625
Depending on the details of your case, an SBRA Trustee will be appointed to your case and you would be responsible for payment of that Trustee’s professional fees and expenses as well. However, unlike in regular Chapter 11 cases, there are no quarterly United States Trustee fees.
In filing for SBRA relief, the business must:
- Pay a filing fee and initial legal fees
- Comply with the bankruptcy code and rules
- Maintain its finances going after filing through the use of a “Debtor in Possession” bank account and disclose all of its financial dealings
- Attend certain mandatory court hearings
- File a fair and equitable plan for dealing with the business’ debts within 90 days of when the bankruptcy case is filed;
- Provide regular, timely and ongoing business financial statements such balance sheets, statement of operations, cash-flow statements, federal income tax returns, and periodic reports
- Make plan payments as proposed in your Chapter 13 plan for the length of the plan (not to exceed 5 years), once approved
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“Natasha Meruelo is professional, knowledgable and a solid attorney. She made sure I was well informed, prepared, and empowered throughout the court process. Having her support was invaluable. I am so grateful I followed my intuition and chose her to represent me. I highly recommend her!”
SBRA in Practice
The Small Business Reorganization Act streamlines the bankruptcy process for small business debtors. It does not require debtors to file a disclosure statement in support of its plan of reorganization.
Additionally, an official committee of unsecured creditors will not be appointed, unless the bankruptcy court orders it. Also significantly, as part of the simplified process under the SBRA, creditors are not required to vote to accept or reject the debtor’s plan. However, you need to propose what the court considers a fair and equitable plan.
Because the SBRA allows small business debtors to bypass the disclosure statement process, significant costs and expenses are avoided as are the difficulties involved with getting creditors to vote in favor of the plan.
The SBRA also bypasses the ability in traditional Chapter 11 plans where creditors have the right to file competing plans for repayment or reorganization. Thankfully, under the Small Business Reorganization Act, only the debtor can file a plan for reorganization.
Ultimately, the SBRA shortens the bankruptcy filing process and reduces overall costs. Small business debtors have control of their assets and can reclaim their business after bankruptcy.
When Is the Best Time to File for Bankruptcy?
Knowing your options is only half of the bankruptcy battle. Timing is critical for bankruptcy cases because filing too soon or too late can affect your ability to recover financially.
Before you begin the filing process, consider the future of your business:
- Where do you want the business to be in the next few years?
- Is your business capable of generating stable income or revenue?
- Are there personal debts of the business owner that also pose a problem that should be addressed?
By asking questions like this, you may decide that you need help sooner rather than later.
Experienced attorneys who understand the pressure of debt on small businesses know that every element of your bankruptcy case is of the utmost importance. They have the skill to work through uncertainties to help you secure a better financial future.
Some Other Big Changes That Come With SBRA
Traditional Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases do not allow modification of loans secured by a principal residence.
However, under the SBRA, this debt may now be modified under certain circumstances:
- As long as the debt wasn’t used to purchase the principal residence
- The debt was used primarily in connection with the small business of the debtor
An example of this would be where a small business owner takes a line of credit against his or her home to use for the small business’ needs. My office can help you determine if you may be able to take advantage of this provision.
Don’t Wait – Contact an Attorney Today!
Small businesses are the backbone of local communities. When times are hard, it is often small businesses that take the hardest hit. If you are a small business owner and face bankruptcy, you don’t have to do it alone. My law firm, Natasha Meruelo, Attorney at Law, has years of experience working with debtors looking to use bankruptcy as a way to move forward.
I understand how stressful bankruptcy can be for small business owners. When you are in a crisis, you need legal advice you can trust. That’s why I am committed to supporting my clients as they pursue a financially secure future.
If you are a small business owner in White Plains and wonder if bankruptcy is the right option for your situation, contact Natasha Meruelo, Attorney at Law.
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Over 15 years of Experience to Apply to Your Case.
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Strategies Tailored to Meet Individual Needs.
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Personalized & Straightforward Counsel.
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Consultations to Evaluate Your Case Are Available.