Behm Law Group, Bankruptcy Attorneys

If you own a business and are struggling to meet payments on anything ranging from rent to utilities, you may benefit from taking advantage of the government-regulated system of bankruptcy. While it might seem like a big step to take, bankruptcy is designed to help businesses of all sizes into a full financial recovery. In fact, if you file for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, your debts will be restructured into a manageable repayment plan for your business.

Not only is it possible to protect your business and the property involved when you choose to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may be able to continue expanding your business during the bankruptcy period. With the help of our attorneys at Behm Law Group, Ltd., you can keep your business afloat while you file for bankruptcy in St. Peter, MN.

 Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy works to restructure your debts as a whole into a new repayment plan spanning a period of three to five years. Within this repayment plan your secured debts and priority debts must be repaid in full, but your unsecured debts will be restructured into the plan with only partial repayment required ranging from 0% to 100%.

Chapter 13 is a debt reorganization process available to both consumers and businesses, and while Chapter 11 is a similar reorganization process businesses can utilize, it is designed for very large businesses and is often impractical for individual consumers.  There are often greater benefits and more opportunities for full, long-lasting recovery when you choose Chapter 13 over 11.

One reason your business may thrive even through a repayment plan in Chapter 13 bankruptcy is because it’s possible to gain business credit, allowing for overall growth in your company.

Business Credit

Because even the most efficient businesses still incur debts through normal operations, especially when all disposable income in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan is used to repay unsecured creditors, you’re allowed to gain ordinary credit without needing approval from your trustee or authorization from the court. For example, if you own a bakery and need to buy a large inventory order of sugar and flour, you don’t need court approval to do so if you can pay for that shipment within 30-60 days.

However, if you gain credit outside the terms of ordinary business operations, you’ll need to receive court approval before making a purchase that’ll put your business in debt. In the example of the bakery, you’ll need court approval if you have to purchase a large appliance or vehicle necessary for normal business operations. To prove you can repay that item without it affecting your repayment plan, you have to:

1. File a motion to authorize the purchase
2. Explain to your trustee, creditors, and the court why that item is needed
3. Demonstrate you can afford the item and still make payments on your plan

Gaining business credit during your repayment plan is an option that Chapter 13 bankruptcy often provides within reason and choosing this form of reorganization bankruptcy can allow your business to grow even through difficult times. To learn more about filing for a business bankruptcy in St. Peter, MN, contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 today.