For many years, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has been helping individuals and small businesses acquire loans for entrepreneurial enterprises. Many small businesses are in business today thanks to the SBA. Because the SBA is a government organization, they have a broad reach and many banks, both national as well a regional, are authorized to offer these loans. However, if a business were to fail before an SBA loan is repaid, collection efforts can be significant. Many times, a law practice that understands things such as an SBA Offer in Compromise can be helpful.
When a business fails prior to fully repaying an SBA loan, the former business owner may start to panic when they first receive an SBA demand letter. The reason for this is often times, an SBA loan may require a certain level of collateral in order to receive the funds. Many failed business owners may be looking at the possibility of losing their property, such as cars, valuable jewelry or even their home.
Fortunately, there are ways of avoiding things such as an SBA loan foreclosure and the seizing of person property or assets. However, it all starts with enlisting the help of a law firm that deals directly in SBA default issues.
Many times, an Offer in Compromise can be made and this sort of arrangement is rather sweeping. For example, an Offer in Compromise can help reduce a persons debt to the SBA significantly. In some cases, the remaining balance can be cut by over 50%. In some cases, an Offer in Comprise can include an affordable repayment plan. This can help prevent foreclosure or assets being seized. In addition, through a Tax Offset Program, any income tax refunds the guarantor of the loan may receive can be turned over to the SBA for default loan payments.
SBA loan default may not be the ideal thing, but it does happen. However, there is no reason to panic. With the help of a law firm advocating for you, the many avenues to reduce the amount you owe as well as the options in an Offer in Compromise for repayment, things may not be as bad as you first thought. If you are facing a possible default on your SBA loan, or it has already been defaulted on, you need legal advice today.
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 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.
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.
Client personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan for $350,000. The small business failed but because of the personal guarantee liability, the client continued to pay the monthly principal & interest out-of-pocket draining his savings. The client hired a local attorney but quickly realized that he was not familiar with SBA-backed loans or their standard operating procedures. Our firm was subsequently hired after the client received the SBA's official 60-day notice. After back-and-forth negotiations, we were able to convince the SBA to reinstate the loan, retract the acceleration of the outstanding balance, modify the original terms, and approve a structured workout reducing the interest rate from 7.75% to 0% and extending the maturity date for a longer period to make the monthly payments affordable. In conclusion, not only we were able to help the client avoid litigation and bankruptcy, but our SBA lawyers also saved him approximately $227,945 over the term of the workout.
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