Behm Law Group, Bankruptcy Attorneys

The economy we live in allows for rapid financial shifts for individuals and businesses alike. While these changes can be positive, there is often a greater chance that you or your business will face negative outcomes as a result. For those who own and operate a retail business in the U.S., the reality of how quickly their financial status can change is recognized across industries. If you’re facing a recent change to your finances and have had hardship in meeting debt payments, it might be time to tackle these issues. With the help of Behm Law Group, Ltd. you can find debt relief through bankruptcy with the guidance of an expert bankruptcy attorney in Waseca, MN.

For businesses and individuals alike, bankruptcy is frequently painted in a negative light, but the truth is that both reorganization and liquidation bankruptcies are viable and highly effective long-term processes if applied to the right situation with the help of a bankruptcy attorney.

One example of a situation in which two separate types of bankruptcy first failed to fix and then successfully remedied a business in debt are the recent cases of the Scheherazade Jewelers in Edina, MN.

The Scheherazade Jewelers were an upscale shop specializing in high-end jewelry ranging from the $500-$50,000 range. The company was well-established in the Galleria mall, and up until recently was located in a prime spot that allowed for exposure to major mall traffic. However, after the store moved to a lesser trafficked location in the mall, revenue started to decline.

In 2010, the store filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and had their debts reorganized into a repayment plan suited to their then-current income. This chapter works similarly to Chapter 13 bankruptcy, a common bankruptcy process that is limited to individuals, spouses, sole proprietorship businesses, and partnership businesses. The benefits provided to Scheherazade Jewelers through Chapter 11 proved to be less effective than desired, and the business continued to lose profits.

In March of 2019, the store filed for Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. For both individuals and businesses, Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be a gradual or a sudden necessity. The process liquidates assets in exchange for debt discharge. Essentially, while Chapter 11 only provided a short-term attempt at long-term debt resolution, Scheherazade Jewelers could not stay afloat in the current economy. Instead, Chapter 7 provided a valuable way for the owners to cut losses and gain a fresh financial start.

For the creditors of Scheherazade Jewelers, this Chapter 7 bankruptcy may have been a sudden blow, but the financial patterns displayed over the past 9 years reveal a long buildup to liquidation. If you’re struggling with your debts, you can decide whether you want to resolve them now or have a long buildup to a bankruptcy that seems sudden.

Contact Behm Law Group, Ltd. at (507) 387-7200 today for more information about filing and how an expert bankruptcy attorney in Waseca, MN can help you build a successful case for long-term relief.