If you Owe more than $30,000 contact us for a case evaluation at (833) 428-0937
contact us for a free case evaluation at (833) 428-0937
Call us (833) 428-0937

Legal Considerations for Small Business Owners

Empower your small business with expert legal guidance from the SBA attorneys at Protect Law Group. Learn more about legal considerations today!

Book a Consultation Call

Legal Considerations for Small Business Owners

As SBA attorneys, we understand the importance of navigating the complex legal landscape to protect the interests and ensure the success of small business owners. At Protect Law Group, we recognize the significance of legal considerations in running a business smoothly. In this blog post, we delve into key legal topics that every small business owner should be aware of to safeguard their operations and assets.

Small business owners shaking hands

Entity Formation

When starting a business, choosing the right entity structure is crucial. Whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company (LLC), each legal structure has implications for liability, taxation, and compliance. Our experienced team of SBA lawyers can help you determine the most suitable entity formation for your business to protect your personal assets and minimize risks. We also offer guidance along the way, if you have any questions that arise as you begin the journey of forming your own business entity.

A contract and a pen

Contracts

Contracts are the cornerstone of business relationships and transactions. Having well-drafted contracts in place can help prevent disputes, clarify expectations, and protect your rights. Our SBA attorneys specialize in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts tailored to your business needs, ensuring your interests are safeguarded in all agreements.

An employee smiles

Employment Law

Navigating the ever-evolving complexities of employment law is essential for small businesses with staff. Understanding wage and hour regulations, non-discrimination laws, and employee rights is crucial to maintaining a compliant and harmonious workplace. Our legal experts can provide guidance on employment contracts, policies, and procedures to protect both your business and your employees. Protect your business by partnering with the small business law experts.

A computer and an illustration of a copyright symbol

Intellectual Property Protection

Intellectual property, such as trademarks, copyrights, and patents, can be valuable assets for small businesses. Protecting your intellectual property rights is essential to prevent infringement and maintain your competitive edge in the market. Our team of SBA lawyers can assist you in registering and enforcing your intellectual property to safeguard your creations and innovations.

A binder reading "Regulatory Compliance"

Regulatory Compliance

Small businesses are subject to various regulations at the federal, state, and local levels, depending on their industry and location. Ensuring compliance with legal requirements, such as permits, licenses, zoning laws, and environmental regulations, is essential to avoid costly penalties and legal issues. Our legal experts are up to date on regulatory compliance to keep your operations running smoothly.

Small business owners face a myriad of legal considerations that require attention to protect their interests and ensure long-term success. At Protect Law Group, we are dedicated to helping small businesses navigate the complexities of the legal system with confidence. From entity formation to regulatory compliance and our speciality of SBA debt relief, our team of experienced lawyers is here to provide tailored legal solutions to meet your business needs and goals. Contact us today to discuss how we can assist you in safeguarding your business through proactive legal strategies.

Contact Us Today

Why Hire Us to Help You with Your Treasury or SBA Debt Problems?

construction accident injury lawyer

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

slip and fall attorney

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

truck accident injury attorney

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.

$150,000 SBA 7A LOAN - NEGOTIATED STRUCTURED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

$150,000 SBA 7A LOAN - NEGOTIATED STRUCTURED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

Client personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan for $150,000. COVID-19 caused the business to fail, and the loan went into default with a balance of $133,000. Client initially hired a non-attorney consultant to negotiate an OIC. The SBA summarily rejected the ineligible OIC and the debt was referred to Treasury’s ureau of Fiscal Service for enforced collection in the debt amount of $195,000. We were hired to intervene and initiated discovery for SBA and Fiscal Service records. We were able to recall the case from Fiscal Service back to the SBA. We then negotiated a structured workout with favorable terms that saves the client approximately $198,000 over the agreed-upon workout term by waiving contractual and statutory administrative fees, collection costs, penalties, and interest.

$150,000 SBA 7A LOAN – NEGOTIATED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

$150,000 SBA 7A LOAN – NEGOTIATED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

Client’s small business obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $150,000.  He and his wife signed personal guarantees and pledged their home as collateral. The SBA loan went into default, the term or maturity date was accelerated and demand for payment of the entire amount claimed was made.  The SBA lender’s note gave it the right to adjust the default interest rate from 7.25% to 18% per annum. The business filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy but was dismissed after 3 years due to its inability to continue with payments under the plan. Clients wanted to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which would have been a mistake as their home had significant equity to repay the SBA loan balance in full as the Trustee would likely seize and sell the home to repay the secured and unsecured creditors. However, the SBA lender opted to pursue the SBA 7(a) Guaranty and subsequently assigned the loan and the right to enforce collection to the SBA. Clients then received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice and hired the Firm to respond to it and negotiate on their behalf. Clients disputed the SBA’s alleged balance of $148,000, as several payments made to the SBA lender during the Chapter 11 reorganization were not accounted for. To challenge the SBA’s claimed debt balance, the Firm Attorneys initiated expedited discovery to obtain government records. SBA records disclosed the true amount owed was about $97,000. Moreover, because the Clients’ home had significant equity, they were not eligible for an Offer in Compromise or an immediate Release of Lien for Consideration, despite being incorrectly advised by non-attorney consulting companies that they were. Instead, our Firm Attorneys recommended a Workout of $97,000 spread over a lengthy term and a waiver of the applicable interest rate making the monthly payment affordable. After back and forth negotiations, SBA approved the Workout proposal, thereby saving the home from imminent foreclosure and reducing the Clients' liability by nearly $81,000 in incorrect principal balance, accrued interest, and statutory collection fees.

$166,000 SBA 7A LOAN - NEGOTIATED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

$166,000 SBA 7A LOAN - NEGOTIATED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

Clients executed personal and corporate guarantees for an SBA 7(a) loan from a Preferred Lender Provider (PLP). The borrower corporation defaulted on the loan exposing all collateral pledged by the Clients. The SBA subsequently acquired the loan balance from the PLP, including the right to collect against all guarantors. The SBA sent the Official Pre-Referral Notice to the guarantors giving them sixty (60) days to either pay the outstanding balance in full, negotiate a Repayment (Offer in Compromise (OIC) or Structured Workout (SW)), challenge their alleged guarantor liability or file a Request for Hearing (Appeals Petition) with the SBA Office of Hearings & Appeals.

Because the Clients were not financially eligible for an OIC, they opted for Structured Workout negotiations directly with the SBA before the debt was transferred to the Bureau of Fiscal Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Treasury for enforced collection.

The Firm was hired to negotiate a global Workout Agreement directly with the SBA to resolve the personal and corporate guarantees. After submitting the Structured Workout proposal, the assigned SBA Loan Specialist approved the requested terms in under ten (10) days without any lengthy back and forth negotiations.

The favorable terms of the Workout included an extended maturity at an affordable principal amount, along with a significantly reduced interest rate saving the Clients approximately $181,000 in administrative fees, penalties and interest (contract interest rate and Current Value of Funds Rate (CVFR)) as authorized by 31 U.S.C. § 3717(e) had the SBA loan been transferred to BFS.

Read more Case Results

Related Content

Read more sba debt articles