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COVID-19 and Personal Bankruptcy for Small Business Owners

4/17/2020

Author: Andrew M. Thaler

Most small business owners unavoidably have to either incur business debt in their own name (think of an American Express Card) or personally guarantee business debt. The Coronavirus has had a devastating effect on small business. Many small businesses will simply not be able to weather the storm and survive. In this scenario, an inability of non-operating companies to pay its debts will leave small business owners with personal liability on business debt. Now is the time to educate oneself on personal bankruptcy because if an individual has more business than consumer debt, they may be exempt from chapter 7 bankruptcy’s rigorous Means Test and, instead, subject only to a more flexible and forgiving budget test.

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The CARES Act Provides Bankruptcy Relief to Individuals and Businesses

3/31/2020

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Authors: Andrew M. Thaler & Spiros Avramidis

The Coronavirus pandemic has and will continue to cause financial hardship for many individuals and businesses in the weeks and months ahead. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act known as the “CARES Act”, which was recently passed into law by Congress, provides financially distressed consumers and small businesses greater access to bankruptcy relief. Major takeaways from the CARES Act include:

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Strategic Planning when Confronted with Overwhelming Debt: Part 1

3/3/2020

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Author: Andrew M. Thaler

Faced with a problem, the stress of not knowing what to do can be debilitating and result in procrastination and indecision. In the world of debt, knowledge is power. An understanding of debtor and creditor rights enables one to not only know what is likely to happen in the future but to take proactive measures to alter, to your benefit, what might otherwise happen if nothing is done. Developing a strategy to tackle worrying debt can lead to a fresh start, and financial stability. On the other hand, putting one’s head in the sand is usually a poor option because doing nothing leaves everything to chance.

The first step is to identify that there is a problem. The second step is to deal with the problem head on by getting proper and timely advice on how to solve the problem. Unfortunately many people wait too long, or never seek the advice they need in order to make good life choices. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is the first in a series of articles that illustrate how having pertinent knowledge can drastically affect the outcome.

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Means Test Income - Are Voluntary IRA Withdrawals Included in “Current Monthly Income?”

1/29/2020

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Part 1 - Case Law

Author: Spiros Avramidis

In determining a potential debtor’s ability to qualify as a debtor under Chapter 7, a debtor must pass the “means” test, which is primarily a calculation of the debtor’s “current monthly income” minus allowable expenses. Therefore, correctly calculating a debtor’s “currently monthly income” is vital in passing the means test. Importantly, a debtor’s “current monthly income” will also affect the calculation of “disposable income” under a Chapter 13 because the definition of “disposable income” specifically references “current monthly income.”

An interesting question that arises when determining a debtor’s “current monthly income” is whether a voluntary withdrawal from an individual retirement account (“IRA”) within the applicable six-month period is included in “current monthly income.” The unfortunate answer is: it depends on the jurisdiction.

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New Bankruptcy Law to Make Small Business Chapter 11 Less Complicated And More Affordable

1/22/2020

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Author: Andrew M. Thaler

The Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 will take effect on February 22, 2020. The new law permits a small business debtor (“SBD”) to reorganize under what is known as Subchapter V of chapter 11.

A person or entity engaged in commercial or business activity with aggregate secured and unsecured debts of $2,725,625 can qualify to be a SBD (The new law does not count contingent and unliquidated debtor in calculating total debts such as unresolved tort claims and guarantees). More than 50 percent of its debts must arise from such activities. “Single Asset Real Estate” cases are excluded from eligibility.

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COVID-19 and Personal Bankruptcy for Small Business Owners

Author: Andrew M. Thaler

The CARES Act Provides Bankruptcy Relief to Individuals and Businesses

Authors: Andrew M. Thaler & Spiros Avramidis

Strategic Planning when Confronted with Overwhelming Debt: Part 1

Author: Andrew M. Thaler

Means Test Income - Are Voluntary IRA Withdrawals Included in “Current Monthly Income?”

Part 1 - Case Law

Author: Spiros Avramidis

New Bankruptcy Law to Make Small Business Chapter 11 Less Complicated And More Affordable

Author: Andrew M. Thaler

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