LLC Bankruptcy: What Happens if a Company Goes Bankrupt?
If your limited liability company fails in its business endeavors, it may have to file for bankruptcy and dissolution. This process will allow you to minimize losses and have a fresh start.
As a Mergers and Acquisitions specialist and tax law master’s degree holder, I’ve assisted business owners and entrepreneurs in filing LLC bankruptcy.
Quick Summary
- If a company goes bankrupt, the LLC's remaining debts are settled by liquidating the business assets.
- In certain circumstances, liability may be extended to the members’ personal assets.
- There has been a 17% increase in total bankruptcy filings in January 2024.
- I strongly advise my clients to open a separate business bank account to protect their personal assets in cases of lawsuits and bankruptcy.
What Happens to the Debts and Liabilities of an LLC in Bankruptcy?
- The debts and liabilities of an LLC in bankruptcy are typically handled within the bankruptcy proceedings.
It's important to note that an LLC is a separate legal entity, and in most cases, the personal assets of LLC owners are protected from the LLC's debts.
The treatment of debts and liabilities in an LLC's bankruptcy depends on the specific bankruptcy chapter filed and the relevant laws.
According to American Bankruptcy Institute, bankruptcy filings across all chapters reached 36,607, marking a 17% rise from January 2023's figure of 31,176 [1].
It's essential to consult with legal experts to fully grasp the implications of a specific LLC's bankruptcy situation.
Bankruptcy – the safety net that society provides us when we get in over our heads and the gift of a fresh start – the new beginning of the rest of our lives."
- Mark Shaiken, Author & Former Commercial Bankruptcy Lawyer
Personal Liability
The personal assets of LLC members are typically protected under state law, but there are circumstances in which they may be seized to settle the company's debts.
These include the following:
- Signing personal guarantees to acquire loans or enter into contracts.
- Offering personal assets as collateral. In my experience, financial institutions require collateral, especially for new businesses, to serve as security on the loan.
- Using your personal credit card to make business purchases.
- Debts resulting from fraud.
If your LLC remains compliant during its operations and keeps business funds separate, your personal assets will be protected from creditors.
To safeguard your personal assets, Venture Smarter suggests the option of filing for personal bankruptcy as a viable strategy.
To file a personal bankruptcy petition, you need to submit the following:
- Proof of Identification: You should provide at least two forms of identification showing your correct name and address. Examples include a driver's license, passport, government-issued identification card, and Social Security Number.
- Bank Statement for the Past 60 Days: This is to show that you have no money in the bank before the bankruptcy filing.
- Recent Paystubs or Documentation of Unemployment: You should verify that you are not employed, working part-time, or have an income below the poverty thresholds set by the Federal Government for your household size.
- Copy of Tax Return from the Past 3 Years: This is to show that you're not overpaying and making more than required.
- Summary of Debts and Assets: You should attach a summary of business assets and debts, including the filed bankruptcy petition.
How Does Bankruptcy Affect Credit?
Bankruptcy can affect credit scores, as people who file for bankruptcy will have their accounts put up for collection by the credit bureau as part of the process.
This lowers your credit score because you will have a smaller line of available credit remaining, making it harder to get loans.
"Declaring bankruptcy for debts may have a lesser impact on your credit score compared to personal bankruptcy."
-Jon Morgan, CEO, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter
Even though the procedure itself may not heavily affect your scores, the debts that led to the situation could remain on your credit report for seven to ten years.
This will harm your credit score, so Venture Smarter remind clients and business owners to be proactive about getting rid of debts before they get out of control.
Liquidation Bankruptcy
This type of bankruptcy is filed because the business has accumulated debt that exceeds the income of the company. Also referred to as Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the process involves liquidating the company’s assets to settle debts as well as cessation of the business.
It offers individuals a chance to eliminate various debts by selling non-exempt property.
A bankruptcy trustee will be appointed by the court to oversee the settlement proceedings by following the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
One of the advantages highlighted by Venture Smarter regarding the liquidation business bankruptcy process is its speed. In this process, you need to provide only your name, address, and social security number, simplifying the filing procedure.
You will include other information on the petition, but there are no legal documents or forms to fill out before submitting it.
In most cases, debtors do not need to attend court unless requested by the bankruptcy trustee.
Importance of Dissolving an LLC After Filing for Bankruptcy
After filing for bankruptcy, I inform business owners the importance of properly dissolving their LLCs.
Since the state still recognizes the existence of the company, the business will be required to continue paying annual reports, as well as franchise and income taxes.
Failure to voluntarily dissolve the LLC will result in tax implications, fines, and penalties.
Here are the steps for dissolution:
- Consult your LLC’s operating agreement. The provision indicated in the document will specify the dissolution procedure and voting requirements.
- The members should hold a meeting and vote on the dissolution.
- File your final tax return to obtain clearance from the IRS.
- Prepare and submit the Articles of Dissolution to the Secretary of State or its equivalent agency.
- Cancel all licenses and permits, as well as business registrations from other states.
FAQs
What Happens to Debt When LLC Is Dissolved?
When an LLC is dissolved, the debts are settled by liquidating the company’s assets before it officially terminates operations.
Can a Company Come Back After Bankruptcies?
A company can come back after bankruptcies by filing Chapter 11, which enables the LLC to reorganize and have more time to settle its debts.
References:
- https://www.abi.org/newsroom/bankruptcy-statistics#