What Is SBA Loan Forgiveness and How Does It Work?
Learn how SBA loan forgiveness works and how it can help small business owners facing financial difficulties. Contact us today for a case evaluation.
Dealing with an SBA OIC case can be hard. You should allow one of our lawyers to settle SBA debt on for you. Talk to us about your SBA loan default today.
Book a Consultation CallIf you have an SBA loan default you may be thinking about bankruptcy. However, filing for bankruptcy instead of pursuing an SBA OIC to settle SBA debt may not always be the best way.
Disadvantages Of Chapter 7
o Taking bankruptcy can weaken your ability to get credit, especially at a low interest rate. Also, your bankruptcy may haunt you when a prospective employer looks up your credit report as part of reference check.
o The trustee takes over complete control of your debts and finances from the day you file until the judge discharges your case. You can't spend anything without the trustee's approval.
o For Sole Proprietors and Partnerships: The costs, hassles and surrendering of your property could cause you to close your business.
o You may lose a large amount of wealth if you have a large amount of nonexempt personal property or a large amount of equity in secured assets such as one or more of your cars.
Disadvantages Of Chapter 11
o The process of obtaining approval of your reorganization plan is long and expensive.
Chapter 11 cases are subject to much more assertive and aggressive creditor action, including adversary actions (lawsuits filed within the context of the bankruptcy proceeding). Active creditors make Chapter 11 cases more expensive and more drawn out for long periods of time. As a general rule of thumb, Chapter 11 cases will cost $50,000 at a minimum and most attorneys will ask for $20,000 or more up front.
Final Thoughts on Filing Bankruptcy:
o Filing for bankruptcy does have a “hidden” cost. Operating in the business world is complicated when the borrower files for bankruptcy, and these complications can cost real money over the 10 years that a bankruptcy is reported on a credit report. It has been estimated that the cost of filing bankruptcy is between $75,000 – $125,000. Stated another way, if an SBA debtor can afford an OIC settlement for less, it is probably a good idea to try and obtain an SBA OIC or DOT compromise. However, if the SBA OIC or DOT compromise settlement cost is higher than the “hidden” bankruptcy cost, then the SBA debtor should probably seek protection through a bankruptcy.
This video also covers SBA loan default and bankruptcy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrVUWHGKvbw
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.
Small business sole proprietor obtained an SBA COVID-EIDL loan for $500,000. Client defaulted causing SBA to charge-off the loan, accelerate the balance and refer the debt to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service for aggressive collection. Treasury added $180,000 in collection fees totaling $680,000+. Client tried to negotiate with Treasury but was only offered a 3-year or 10-year repayment plan. Client hired the Firm to represent before the SBA, Treasury and a Private Collection Agency. After securing government records through discovery and reviewing them, we filed an Appeals Petition with the SBA Office of Hearings & Appeals (OHA) court challenging the SBA's referral of the debt to Treasury citing a host of purported violations. The Firm was able to negotiate a reinstatement and recall of the loan back to the SBA, participation in the Hardship Accommodation Plan, termination of Treasury's enforced collection and removal of the statutory collection fees.
Clients personally guaranteed an SBA 504 loan balance of $337,000. The Third Party Lender had obtained a Judgment against the clients. We represented clients before the SBA and negotiated an SBA OIC that was accepted for $30,000.
Client personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan balance of $58,000. The client received a notice of Intent to initiate Administrative Wage Garnishment (AWG) Proceedings. We represented the client at the hearing and successfully defeated the AWG Order based on several legal and equitable grounds.