Small Business Bankruptcy in Canada

Small Business Bankruptcy in Canada

Corporate Bankruptcies Canada: Bankruptcy is a common way for a small business that is trapped in debt to formally shut down the business. It is a way for a business owner to shut down the business and have a trustee handle the file so that all affected will know everything was done in a transparent manner.

For larger corporations it is more common for lenders to force a bankruptcy.

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Filing business bankruptcy in Canada can be quite complex, because the types of creditors you have and how your business is structured will have an impact on your bankruptcy.

A small business bankruptcy can be quite costly as well and you need the services of a professional business bankruptcy trustee who has experience with working with insolvent small businesses.

As there are alternatives to bankruptcy that could be available for a small business, your trustee will help you explore any such available alternatives that could save your insolvent business from going bankrupt.

The Type of Small Business Will Impact Your Small Business Bankruptcy

Partnerships / Sole Proprietorship Business

If your small business is structured as a partnership or as a sole proprietorship then you will have to file personal bankruptcy as the business and the person that operates the business are not legally separate; your personal and business assets and liabilities are not legally separated in a sole proprietorship or a partnership.

Incorporated Businesses

If you have an incorporated company the business is legally a separate entity with the assets and liabilities being held by the business and separately from the business owner.

If your business is incorporated then you do not have to file bankruptcy personally and your business can go bankrupt.

Certain assets that your incorporated business holds will be sold by your  Licensed Insolvency Trustee to distribute the funds to your creditors.

In a small business bankruptcy there might be certain creditor classes that have preference over the assets and these creditors will be paid first and receive preference when funds raised by the sale of your business assets are distributed by the trustee.

Are you Personally Liable for Small Business debts?

Business debts that you have personally guaranteed can be included in your bankruptcy, although if you do this your creditors will simply come after you personally for any debt that you personally guaranteed; this means you might have to file personal bankruptcy as well.

If possible you can negotiate with your creditors to maintain new payment terms if you have personally guaranteed business debts because you must proceed very carefully.

As with any serious consideration, you need to seek the professional advice of a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, who is federally regulated and licensed by the OSB (Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy).

Does Your Small Business Make Money?

If your small business is profitable over the long term but is facing temporarily money problems and difficulties paying debts, your Licensed Insolvency Trustee can help you explore other ways other than bankruptcy to help restructure your liabilities.

A business proposal is an effective way to save a business.

If your small business has been losing money for a longer period of time, you might want to consider closing the business.

To learn more about business bankruptcy please contact a government licensed business bankruptcy at 1-877-879-4770 or by email.

Declaring bankruptcy can give your business bankruptcy protection which can give it a chance to restructure its operations.

The purpose of the bankruptcy proceedings is to save your business so it can continue to operate.

If you decide to have your business go bankrupt, it won’t affect your personal assets depending on the structure of your business.

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