2020 has been a particularly difficult year for many businesses throughout the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to Yelp.com’s Local Economic Impact Report, over 97,966 businesses have permanently shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. If your business has been affected by COVID-19 closedowns, or you have incurred personal debt due to other burdens to keep your struggling business afloat, filing for bankruptcy may help you find the financial relief that you need.
At Robert J. Adams & Associates, our attorneys are committed to offering comprehensive representation to business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the Chicago area on all bankruptcy-related legal matters. Our skilled business bankruptcy attorneys can review the details of your case, discuss the unique details of your personal situation, and help you understand all of your business bankruptcy options. We will offer you the experienced legal guidance and advocacy you need to navigate key decisions throughout any bankruptcy proceedings.
Robert J. Adams & Associates is proud to represent business owners throughout Chicago, Illinois, including the surrounding areas of Waukegan, Lake County, Cook County, and DuPage County.
WHAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN IT COMES TO FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY
Seeing a business that you built using years of hard work and struggle can be really heart-breaking. Nonetheless, filing for business bankruptcy does not necessarily mean the end of your business. Rather, it provides you with a debt relief option that could provide you with the opportunity to restructure. However, there are a couple of factors that must be considered before choosing the appropriate bankruptcy chapter that best suits your unique situation and needs. When reviewing your bankruptcy options, one of the factors to consider is the legal structure of your business. This may include:
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES (LLC)
LLC offers corporate protection to its members. Therefore, they are not personally liable for any debts and liabilities incurred by the company.
PARTNERSHIP
A partnership is an association of two or more persons serving as the co-owners of a business. Partners can be held liable for liabilities, debts, as well as actions of the partnership.
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
In a sole proprietorship, the business owner has total control over the business, receives all profits, and pays taxes. However, both the owner’s personal and business assets may be exposed to liability.
ARE YOU FACING BANKRUPTCY?
CREATING A PLAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS MOVING FORWARD
Despite our best efforts, the business may not succeed. Moreover, keeping a struggling business afloat will only make you incur more personal debt. In order to determine the ideal bankruptcy option for your business, you need to consider the plan you have for the business moving forward.
For instance, do you prefer closing the business for good, or are you searching for a way to still keep the business afloat while you rebuild and restructure?
WHICH BANKRUPTCY OPTION IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
Your business structure and plan for the business moving forward will help you determine the right bankruptcy chapter that best fits your unique situation and needs. Those bankruptcy options include the following:
CHAPTER 7
Chapter 7 bankruptcy, often referred to as “liquidation” bankruptcy, helps individuals and businesses clear away most of their general unsecured debts so that they can secure the”fresh start” that they need. As a sole proprietor, you and your business will be treated as a single entity. Thus, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy using your name can help you discharge some of your unsecured debts.
Conversely, Chapter 7 bankruptcy isn’t typically favorable for an LLC or partnership, since such business structures don’t allow debt discharge. Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy will only increase the liabilities of members or co-owners.
CHAPTER 11
Chapter 11 bankruptcy, often referred to as “reorganization” bankruptcy, allows business owners to reorganize the business affairs, operations, assets, and debts. In Chapter 11, the debtor is allowed to propose a payment plan to repay creditors while keeping the business afloat.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy is usually more suitable for partnerships and LLCs. However, filing for this bankruptcy option can be expensive, lengthy, and time-consuming. Additionally, the Illinois court or creditors need to approve the repayment plan before moving forward.
CHAPTER 13
In the state of Illinois, filing for chapter 13 bankruptcy involves setting up a repayment plan to pay down your debt. Through Chapter 13, business owners are able to reorganize and repay all or some of their debts through a repayment plan spread across three to five years, and the business owners will be allowed to keep their assets. Also, the business owner can discharge a wider range of debts using Chapter 13.
Since Chapter 13 is considered a “wage earner’s plan,” it is only available to sole proprietors who file as individuals. This option ensures that there is no direct contact between the business owner and the creditors. The business owner is required to divert all disposable income into the repayment plan and report to a court-appointed trustee. The trustee then distributes all payments to any creditors.
WHY YOU SHOULD WORK WITH EXPERIENCED BUSINESS BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEYS IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Business disruptions and volatile markets have resulted in debt and liability for many businesses across the nation. In such situations, bankruptcy can truly mean a fresh start and an opportunity to recover from devastating financial issues. If you’re considering filing for bankruptcy, a knowledgeable Illinois business bankruptcy attorney can offer you reliable guidance by helping you review all of your legal options.
At Robert J. Adams & Associates, our attorneys have devoted their careers to providing experienced legal counsel and representation to business owners throughout the bankruptcy filing process. As your legal counsel, our attorneys will evaluate your unique situation and determine the bankruptcy option that is right for you and your business. Our team will help you file your forms, represent you throughout any court proceedings, and offer you the experienced legal guidance you need to navigate all key decisions at every turn.
RELIABLE BUSINESS BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEYS SERVING CHICAGO, IL
If your business is going through financial hardship and considering filing bankruptcy, contact Robert J. Adams & Associates today to schedule a one-on-one consultation. Our attorneys can offer you the comprehensive legal counsel and advocacy you need to navigate the complexities of any bankruptcy proceedings so that you can get the fresh start that you deserve. If you live in Chicago, Waukegan, Lake County, Cook County, or DuPage County, Illinois, and are looking for bankruptcy help, contact our office today!
Why Choose Bankruptcy?
ELIMINATE YOUR DEBT
The first step to finding relief is to get rid of the mountain of debt you have been carrying around. Bankruptcy can provide you with a clean slate to start from.
BRING UP YOUR CREDIT SCORE
After you have gotten out from under your debt, you can begin the process of rebuilding your credit score and position yourself for greater opportunities in life.
START A NEW CHAPTER
You don’t have to remain buried under debt forever. There are bankruptcy options available that may be able to you that may give you a new start with your finances.