San Diego Businesses May Take Advantage of New Small Business Reorganization
Small businesses facing mounting debt obligation from an SBA loan may seek a small business reorganization under the new bankruptcy law.
When facing financial challenges, it's crucial for small business owners to understand their options regarding small business bankruptcy. Two common bankruptcy filings for small businesses are Chapter 7 and Chapter 11. At Protect Law Group, we specialize in negotiating compromises and repayment plans with the Small Business Administration (SBA) on your behalf and we have successfully resolved millions of dollars in SBA debt.
In this blog, we'll discuss the differences between these bankruptcy types and explore the role of Small Business Administration (SBA) programs such as SBA loan forgiveness and SBA debt relief. We'll also touch on the SBA debt relief extension and how it can benefit struggling businesses.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy, also known as liquidation, is a process where a business ceases operations, and its assets are sold to pay off outstanding debts. This type of small business bankruptcy is suitable for businesses that cannot continue operating due to their financial struggles.
In contrast, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is a reorganization process that allows businesses to continue operating while restructuring their debts. This form of small business bankruptcy is ideal for companies with a viable business model that requires financial reorganization to become profitable again.
Another essential aspect to consider when navigating Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 small business bankruptcy or seeking SBA debt relief is negotiating a repayment plan with creditors. A well-negotiated repayment plan can ease financial burdens and allow businesses more time to recover and regain their footing. In some cases, this could even help avoid small business bankruptcy altogether.
When negotiating a repayment plan, it's vital to be transparent with your creditors and attorneys about your business's financial situation and your ability to make payments. By working closely with your creditors and demonstrating your commitment to repaying your debts, the lawyers at Protect Law Group may secure more favorable terms, such as reduced interest rates or extended payment periods.
Additionally, exploring options like SBA debt relief and SBA loan forgiveness can complement these negotiations, further strengthening your business's financial position.
SBA loan forgiveness programs, such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), can alleviate the financial burden on small businesses by forgiving a portion or the entire loan amount, provided specific criteria are met. When a business qualifies for SBA loan forgiveness, it can prevent the need for small business bankruptcy by reducing the debt load.
It's important for business owners to understand the requirements of SBA loan forgiveness programs and seek assistance from professionals like the attorneys at Protect Law Group to maximize their chances of receiving loan forgiveness, potentially avoiding small business bankruptcy altogether.
If you have received a 60-day notice of repayment from the SBA and are considering Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 bankruptcy, call our office first!
Millions of Dollars in SBA Debts Resolved via Offer in Compromise and Negotiated Repayment Agreements without our Clients filing for Bankruptcy or Facing Home Foreclosure
Millions of Dollars in Treasury Debts Defended Against via AWG Hearings, Treasury Offset Program Resolution, Cross-servicing Disputes, Private Collection Agency Representation, Compromise Offers and Negotiated Repayment Agreements
Our Attorneys are Authorized by the Agency Practice Act to Represent Federal Debtors Nationwide before the SBA, The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Treasury Department, and the Bureau of Fiscal Service.
Client's small business obtained an SBA COVID EIDL for $301,000 pledging collateral by executing the Note, Unconditional Guarantee and Security Agreement. The business defaulted on the loan and the SBA CESC called the Note and Guarantee, accelerated the principal balance due, accrued interest and retracted the 30-year term schedule.
The loan was transferred to the Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service which resulted in the statutory addition of $90,000+ in administrative fees, costs, penalties and interest with the total debt now at $391.000+. Treasury also initiated a Treasury Offset Program (TOP) levy against the client's federal contractor payments for the full amount each month - intercepting all of its revenue and pushing the business to the brink of bankruptcy.
The Firm was hired to investigate and find an alternate solution to the bankruptcy option. After submitting formal production requests for all government records, it was discovered that the SBA failed to send the required Official 60-Day Pre-Referral Notice to the borrower and guarantor prior to referring the debt to Treasury. This procedural due process violation served as the basis to submit a Cross-Servicing Dispute to recall the debt from Treasury back to the SBA and to negotiate a reinstatement of the original 30-year maturity date, a modified workout, cessation of the TOP levy against the federal contractor payments and removal of the $90,000+ Treasury-based collection fees, interest and penalties.
Client personally guaranteed an SBA 7(a) loan to help with a relative’s new business venture. After the business failed, Treasury was able to secure a recurring Treasury Offset Program (TOP) levy against his monthly Social Security Benefits based on the claim that he owed over $1.2 million dollars. We initially submitted a Cross-Servicing Dispute, but then, prepared and filed an Appeals Petition with the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (SBA OHA). As a result of our efforts, we were able to convince the SBA to not only terminate the claimed debt of $1.2 million dollars against our client (without him having to file bankruptcy) but also refund the past recurring amounts that were offset from his Social Security Benefits in connection with the TOP levy.
Small business and guarantors obtained an SBA COVID-EIDL loan for $1,000,000. Clients defaulted causing SBA to charge-off the loan, accelerate the balance and refer the debt to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service for collection. Treasury added nearly $500,000 in collection fees totaling $1,500,000. Clients were served with the SBA's Official 60-Day Notice and exercised the Repayment option by applying for the SBA’s Hardship Accommodation Plan. However, their application was summarily rejected by the SBA without providing any meaningful reasons. Clients hired the Firm to represent them against the SBA, Treasury and a Private Collection Agency. After securing government records through discovery, we filed an Appeals Petition with the SBA Office of Hearings & Appeals (OHA) court challenging the SBA's referral of the debt to Treasury. During litigation and before the OHA court issued a final Decision and Order, the Firm successfully negotiated a reinstatement and recall of the loan back to the SBA, a modification of the original repayment terms, termination of Treasury's enforced collection and removal of the statutory collection fees.
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