Behm Law Group, Bankruptcy Attorneys

Owning and operating a business is a difficult endeavor, no matter how small that business is. This is why many businesses find themselves in a financial situation that is less than desirable. If your business is facing debts you’re unable to repay, filing for bankruptcy may be your saving grace in preventing further struggles down the road. With the help of Behm Law Group Ltd., you can file a successful case for bankruptcy in Marshall, MN, and even rebuild your business and your credit after your bankruptcy case is concluded.

Business bankruptcies vary depending on the legal status or structure of the business. Any corporations, LLCs or other business formats that have a separate legal and financial standings from their owners typically can file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 11. On the other hand, sole proprietorships and partnerships are directly tied to the owners’ personal assets and personal debts/liabilities, which means they can file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

For all types of businesses, the Chapter 7 process works in the same way to liquidate business assets (properties, accounts, etc.) in exchange for the discharge of debts. In any Chapter 7 business case, the business is typically closed when the case is completed.

Though Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 work similarly to reorganize business debts into a manageable repayment plan, there are some differences. For small businesses, Chapter 13 is often ideal for many reasons. Learn more about the benefits of Chapter 13 here.

No matter what type of bankruptcy you file, your business can face a range of challenges down the line. From shutting down your business completely to severely lowering your credit standing, bankruptcy can force significant alterations or changes but those alterations or changes, in most cases, are both rehabilitative and beneficial long-term. It’s absolutely possible to rebuild your business and your credit after filing for bankruptcy relief, whether this means starting anew or rebuilding through a debt repayment plan. Every case is different, but there are some strategies that every business owner can do to rebuild after a bankruptcy filing:

1. Change the way you budget. Something led to your business bankruptcy, and whether that was caused by your actions or by external reasons over which you had absolutely no control, you can make changes in your budget to prepare for challenging financial times. Creating a conservative spending and generous saving plan is often a vital step.
2. Focus on rebuilding your credit. When your credit is good, your business can use that advantage to expand, which in turn, opens many other doors. Your credit will take a hit after bankruptcy, but you can take small actions to slowly rebuild it. Take care to pay all bills on time, meet your debt requirements, communicate often with your creditors and stay away from just paying the monthly minimum payments.
3. Consider separating your business finances from your own. When you can (i.e., have the funds and are not on a Chapter 13 debt repayment plan), establish your business as a corporation or LLC (not a sole proprietorship or partnership) to protect yourself from any financial issues.

To learn more about how to rebuild your business and your credit after filing for bankruptcy relief in Marshall, MN, contact Behm Law Group Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 today.