Dealing with SBA Bankruptcy? A SBA offer in compromise may help get you out of this difficult situation. Protect Law Group is here to help. Find out more today!
Book a Consultation CallFinancial difficulties can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to dealing with SBA loan debts. However, there is a potential solution that can provide relief for small business owners and guarantors – the SBA Offer in Compromise (OIC). In this blog, our team at Protect Law Group will guide you through the intricacies of the SBA OIC process, outlining the steps you need to take to navigate this challenging situation successfully.
Before you proceed with the SBA OIC, it is crucial to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria. An SBA OIC is usually an option when a small business has ceased operations, and all its assets have been liquidated. Additionally, the borrower or guarantor must demonstrate their inability to pay the full debt amount within a reasonable time frame. It is recommended to consult with an experienced SBA loan attorney to assess your eligibility and understand the potential outcomes.
To initiate the SBA OIC process, you will need to gather the necessary documentation. This includes financial statements, tax returns, bank statements, and any other relevant financial records. These documents support your case by providing a comprehensive overview of your financial situation. An experienced SBA loan attorney can help you organize and present this information effectively.
Cooperation and effective communication play a vital role in maximizing the chances of a successful settlement through the SBA OIC. It is essential to work closely with your SBA loan attorney and the SBA debt attorneys to ensure your unique circumstances are understood and presented accurately. By clearly presenting your financial limitations and actively participating in the process, you can increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome.
When pursuing an SBA OIC, several potential outcomes can arise. One possibility is having your offer accepted, resulting in a reduced repayment amount that is manageable for your financial situation. Another outcome may involve negotiating a repayment plan that suits your circumstances, such as a monthly installment payment plan not exceeding five years. It is crucial to discuss these potential outcomes with your SBA loan attorney to determine the best course of action for your specific situation.
Dealing with SBA loan debts can be challenging, but the SBA Offer in Compromise provides a ray of hope for struggling borrowers and guarantors. By understanding the eligibility criteria, gathering the necessary documentation, and maintaining open lines of communication, you can navigate the SBA OIC process effectively. Remember, the assistance of an experienced SBA loan attorney, such as our team at Protect Law Group, is invaluable during this journey of finding business debt relief and securing SBA loan help. If you are facing financial difficulties, don't hesitate to reach out to our team of SBA debt attorneys for guidance and support.
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 7(a) loan for $750,000. She and her husband signed personal guarantees exposing all of their non-exempt income and assets. With just 18 months left on the maturity date and payment on the remaining balance, the Great Recession of 2008 hit, which ultimately caused the business to fail and default on the loan terms. The 7(a) lender accelerated and sent a demand for full payment of the remaining loan balance. The SBA lender’s note allowed for a default interest rate of about 7% per year. In response to the lender's aggressive collection action, Client's husband filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in an attempt to protect against their personal assets. However, his bankruptcy discharge did not relieve the Client's personal guarantee liability for the SBA debt. The SBA lender opted to pursue the SBA 7(a) Guaranty and subsequently assigned the loan and the right to enforce collection against the Client to the SBA. The Client then received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice. After conducting a Case Evaluation with her, she then hired the Firm to respond and negotiate on her behalf with just 34 days left before the impending referral to Treasury. The Client wanted to dispute the SBA’s alleged debt balance as stated in the 60-Day Notice by claiming the 7(a) lender failed to liquidate business collateral in a commercially reasonable manner - which if done properly - proceeds would have paid back the entire debt balance. However, due to time constraints, waivers contained in the SBA loan instruments, including the fact the Client was not able to inspect the SBA's records for investigation purposes before the remaining deadline, Client agreed to submit a Structured Workout for the alleged balance in response to the Official 60-Day Notice as she was not eligible for an Offer in Compromise (OIC) because of equity in non-exempt income and assets. After back and forth negotiations, the SBA Loan Specialist approved the Workout proposal, reducing the Client's purported liability by nearly $142,142.27 in accrued interest, and statutory collection fees. Without the Firm's intervention and subsequent approval of the Workout proposal, the Client's debt amount (with accrued interest, Treasury's statutory collection fee and Treasury's interest based on the Current Value of Funds Rate (CVFR) would have been nearly $291,030.
Clients obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for their small business in the amount of $298,000. They pledged their primary residence and personal guarantees as direct collateral for the loan. The business failed, the lender was paid the 7(a) guaranty money and the debt was assigned to the SBA. Clients received the Official 60-Day Notice giving them a couple of options to resolve the debt balance directly with the SBA before referral to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service. The risk of referral to Treasury would add nearly $95,000 to the SBA principal loan balance. With the default interest rate at 7.5%, the amount of money to pay toward interest was projected at $198,600. Clients hired the Firm with only 4 days left to respond to the 60-Day due process notice. Because the clients were not eligible for an Offer in Compromise (OIC) due to the significant equity in their home and the SBA lien encumbering it, the Firm Attorneys proposed a Structured Workout to resolve the SBA debt. After back and forth negotiations, the SBA Loan Specialist assigned to the case approved the Workout terms which prevented potential foreclosure of their home, but also saved the clients approximately $294,000 over the agreed-upon Workout term with a waiver of all contractual and statutory administrative fees, collection costs, penalties, and interest.
Clients obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $324,000 to buy a small business and its facility. The business and real estate had an appraisal value of $318,000 at the time of purchase. The business ultimately failed but the participating lender abandoned the business equipment and real estate collateral even though it had valid security liens. As a result, the lender recouped nearly nothing from the pledged collateral, leaving the business owners liable for the deficiency balance. The SBA paid the lender the 7(a) guaranty money and was assigned ownership of the debt, including the right to collect. However, the clients never received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice and were denied the opportunity to negotiate an Offer in Compromise (OIC) or a Workout directly with the SBA before being transferred to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service, which added an additional $80,000 in collection fees. Treasury garnished and offset the clients' wages, federal salary and social security benefits. When the clients tried to negotiate with Treasury by themselves, they were offered an unaffordable repayment plan which would have caused severe financial hardship. Clients subsequently hired the Firm to litigate an Appeals Petition before the SBA Office & Hearings Appeals (OHA) challenging the legal enforceability and amount of the debt. The Firm successfully negotiated a term OIC that was approved by the SBA Office of General Counsel, saving the clients approximately $205,000.
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