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New Bankruptcy Law To Benefit Small Businesses

Published September 24, 2019 by Sasser Law Firm
New Bankruptcy Law Eases Reorganization Rules for Small Businesses

President Trump has signed the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA) into law, streamlining Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring for small businesses to make the process faster and less expensive. 

The new bankruptcy law, which takes effect on February 19, 2020, creates Subchapter V within Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code specifically for small businesses. The new rules will apply only to business debtors with secured and unsecured debts less than $2,725,625, subject to certain qualifications. 

The American Bankruptcy Institute, an association of bankruptcy professionals, said in a news release that the new law provides a better path for small businesses to restructure debt, reduce liquidations, save jobs and increase recoveries to creditors while recognizing the value provided by the entrepreneur.

Among the more noteworthy provisions of the new rules:

  • A trustee will oversee Chapter 11 bankruptcies. This single court-appointed individual will facilitate development of reorganization plans and oversee each debtor’s compliance with their reorganization plan, such as making timely payments. This is similar to Chapter 12 farmer and fishermen bankruptcies and Chapter 13 business reorganizations.
  • Only the debtor will be able to propose a plan of reorganization. There is no longer a creditors’ committee to weigh in on the reorganization plan or the debt disclosure document. The Court can confirm a debtor’s plan without the support of any class of claims, as long as the plan does not discriminate unfairly and is deemed to be fair and equitable with respect to each class of claim.
  • Easier for Chapter 11 debtors to keep their businesses. The “absolute priority rule,” which generally requires full payment to creditors to avoid closing the business, is eliminated in favor of the “fair and equitable” standard based on the debtor’s projected disposable income. A fair and equitable reorganization plan should be confirmed as long as it provides one of two options for how the company will repay its creditors:  1) by all of the debtor’s projected disposable income being applied to payments 2) through distribution of some or all of the company’s property, as long as its value is not less than the projected disposable income of the debtor.
  • The new value rule is eliminated. Those who hold equity in a small business in Chapter 11 bankruptcy no longer need to establish a “new value” for their share to retain their ownership interest in the business. 
  • The debtor may be able to modify their residential mortgage. The reorganization plan can modify the rights of a creditor secured by a security interest in the debtor’s principal residence if the loan secured by the residence was used in connection with the debtor’s business but not used to acquire the residence.
  • Shorter filing timetable. The Bankruptcy Court is to hold a status conference within 60 days of the petition date and the debtor is to file a reorganization plan within 90 days of the petition date under the new law. Previously, a small business debtor had up to 300 days to file a plan. The new rules require the debtor to appear at only one Bankruptcy Court status conference. However, the reorganization plan itself may still stretch payments over three to five years.
  • Administrative charges rolled into repayment plan. Administrative expense claims – such as the costs of post-petition goods and services – can be paid over the term of the reorganization plan instead of on the effective date of the plan.

The SBRA ensures that small businesses will be able to reorganize their financial affairs effectively under the Bankruptcy Code, American Bankruptcy Institute Executive Director Samuel J. Gerdano said in the news release. 

“With proper planning and execution, the Small Business Reorganization Act enables financially troubled small businesses to emerge from bankruptcy within months following a court-approved plan of reorganization,” Gerdano said.

In addition to the SBRA, two other bipartisan changes were signed into law to make bankruptcy a more attainable solution for those who face unsurmountable debt:

  • The Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019 increases the Chapter 12 debt limit to $10 million from $4.1 million to reflect economic challenges in the agricultural industry.
  • The HAVEN Act modifies how income is calculated during bankruptcy proceedings for veterans by excluding their disability payments. It is the same protection provided for Social Security disability payments.

Take The Most From The New Bankruptcy Law With The Help Of Chapter 11 Lawyers

Does a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing represent a way out for your small business? Filing for bankruptcy is typically a last resort when debt has become an insurmountable problem. A Chapter 11 reorganization may allow you to keep the doors of your business open and offer an alternative to liquidation of the business.

The board-certified bankruptcy attorneys of Sasser Law can give you a straightforward evaluation of your financial status at no cost and with no obligation. We can provide you with options, including pursuing Chapter 11 reorganization if appropriate or alternatives that may resolve your situation or provide a bridge to eased Chapter 11 rules in the first quarter of 2020.

Our business bankruptcy attorneys assist small businesses and larger companies throughout North Carolina, including in Wake, Harnett, Johnston, Durham, Orange, Granville, Vance, Franklin, Warren, Nash, Lee, Chatham, and Moore counties. Schedule a free consultation today.

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