How
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy can help (and hurt) your failing business
The goal of Chapter 11 bankruptcy laws is to protect the company.
During a bankruptcy filing, the business owner has no rights, the
unsecured creditors have a few and the secured creditors have many
rights to the business's capital. In short Chapter 11 takes care
of the company's interests first and the secured creditors second.
The unsecured creditors and the owner must fend for themselves.
That said an incorporated business can successfully come out of
Chapter 11 bankruptcy. If they want to reduce their debt and have
plans for a new business strategy, Chapter 11 may be the right move.
Under such circumstances, the business must have enough cash in the
bank to file for bankruptcy protection and pay the legal fees. If
the business cannot afford the lawyer, then the court will later
liquidate the business to pay the fees and the business will have
to close its doors.
Procedure for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
The most common reason companies file for bankruptcy is because
they cannot afford to pay their debts. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
is a last resort once a company realizes its debt payments have surpassed
its incoming sales. However, businesses can make their unsecured
creditors aware of their inability to pay. Often these creditors
will not press further for repayments, although they can appear before
the court to discuss their claims. They also can also appoint representatives
to negotiate a settlement with the business in debt.
The procedure for filing a case under Chapter 11 bankruptcy is as
follows:
i) The company asks for protection under Chapter 11.
ii) The court, lenders and creditors take all available financial
information on the company and analyze it.
iii) The business prepares a reorganization plan. This must include
amounts and the times the business will pay all creditors. After
the court and creditors approve the reorganization plan, it becomes
the blueprint for the future of the company. However, the judge will
only accept this plan if it covers the following details:
a) Status of the debtor company's capital structure.
b) Availability of financing and credits in future.
c) The earning capacity of the company after complete reorganization and its
ability pay the creditors.
d) Stability of the management.
e) The Industry’s general economic conditions.
f) The general economic condition of the company’s geographic regions
of operation.
Finally, filing for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy has one more important
part. It is the disclosure statement. This statement gives projected
on business sales, financial settlements under the new plan with
creditors and the estimates of the company’s liquidation value.
Fix
your business and avoid Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
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