Limited liability is one of the most successful commercial
creations of all time, almost singularly responsible for the growth and
expansion of capitalism. Encouraging risk and promoting successful enterprise
through both small and large businesses alike, limited liability has been the
driving force behind economic success in the Western world and is one of the
most celebrated legal creations of all time. But what is it about limited
liability that makes it so successful? Indeed, is the structure of limited
liability fair as regards creditors, who ultimately bear the brunt of this
mechanism?
Limited liability in general means a sacrifice of privacy in
return for the benefit of limited personal liability. In layman's terms,
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company promoter is not personally liable for any of the company's debts, thus
encouraging risk and promoting enterprise. For most small businesses, it is a
lifeline, and without it the economy would level out and stifle with fewer new
start-ups each year. At the back end, however, these businesses leave behind a
trail of debts that ultimately result in financial loss for lenders and those
that operate on credit terms. This raises the general question of whether
limited liability as a creation is fair for the creditors it so apparently
prejudices?
Limited liability has given
life to companies across the world, by providing the reassurances necessary to
entrepreneurs to take the risk, safe in the knowledge that personally speaking
they should come out unscathed. From this, more companies have grown and
flourished, which has led to more jobs and better state welfare for virtually
all capitalist economies. The strength of this function has gone a long way
towards building the great superpowers, and is seriously underestimated as a
legal construct.
Limited liability leaves a gap in the pockets of those
companies that lend money or offer their customers credit terms during the
course of their business. As a consequence of the promoter's ability to walk
away with his hands clean, many businesses find the squeeze of bad debts too
severe, and end up having to take on credit of their own to meet the
shortcomings. In theory, limited liability leaves creditors in a weak situation,
with relatively limited powers to regain the full amount of any monies
due.
In reality, limited liability doesn't operate in that way. Of
course, many businesses go under every year as their owners walk free of
encumbrance, but generally speaking the economic world does not work between
insolvent companies. However, the flexibility allowed by limited liability has
meant debt in a sense has become effective currency, and has helped businesses
to survive during tough times, and to seek the financial help necessary without
the appropriate risk,
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Limited liability might be seen as slightly unfair at the razor's
edge, but it works all round to ensure that everyone has access to credit and
the benefits of limitation of damages when it is necessary. Ultimately, it
promotes a more competitive, lower-risk environment within which business can
flourish and economies can grow and multiply, providing jobs and economic
strength to nations embracing its basic form. As legal fictions go, the limited
company has undoubtedly prove itself to be one of the most popular ever created,
and its growth looks set to continue as it is developed and refined across the
world.
When faced with unmanageable debt, declaring
insolvency is often the only solution. Given the complex array of liquidation
legalese, seeking professional counsel from an experienced bankruptcy lawyer is
imperative.
Understanding Insolvency Laws
There are two major subsets
of the Bankruptcy Code under which individuals can file for insolvency, provided
that the eligibility guidelines are adhered to. Chapter 7, also termed
liquidation discharge allows for a complete write-off of debt the declaring
party is eligible for a complete write-off of all payments owed,
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Chapter 7 liquidates the assets but absolves the debtor from any existing
liability and protects them from foreclosures, repossessions and lawsuits
resulting from their current
debt.
Chapter 13, on the other hand,
provides individuals with a manageable repayment plan to help pay off monies
owed within a scheduled duration,
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which time the creditors are not permitted to harass or otherwise follow-up on
the payments with the creditor. When filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 13, the
law offers individuals the opportunity to still honor the dues but with some
relaxation in repayment terms and with minimal or no interest payable. Following
complete repayment the discharge notice is issued by a trustee appointed during
the court process. Unlike Chapter 7 which involves liquidation of assets,
Chapter 13 means restructuring debts in such a way that creditors' interests are
also protected adequately.
Eligibility Guidelines
Most individuals
prefer filing for insolvency under Chapter 7,
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eligibility requires conforming to a set of guidelines set forth within a Means
Test. The first step is to verify the debtor's annual income which is then
compared against the median income range within the particular geographic area.
Individuals whose annual income falls below the average income range
automatically qualify for filing under Chapter 7. Aside from income analysis
individuals need to undergo mandatory credit counseling to avoid future debt
accumulation and setup a repayment schedule if applicable.
In the event
that one does not qualify for Chapter 7 insolvency claims, the means testing
analysis allows the state to evaluate the other disposable income sources to
facilitate filing under Chapter 13. In general, individuals with some reliable
income source are typically advised to file only under Chapter 13 since this
allows the debtor enough resources to help pay off creditors over time, usually
within a stipulated period of 3 to 5 years. Regardless of the type of insolvency
filed for, debtors are also protected by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,
which requires that creditors engage only in ethical collection
processes.
Why You Need a Bankruptcy Lawyer
The law provides a
well-defined system for debtors to resolve their debt in a manner that allows
them to still resume productive life post insolvency. Yet, understanding the
complex array of legal terms and statutory requirements can be taxing to any
individual facing an imminent insolvency.
A competent bankruptcy lawyer
brings the right skills and knowledge and can handle every aspect of the filing
beginning from document submission,
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and supervision of all legal proceedings to ensure a positive outcome. Consult
with an experienced attorney to help assess your financial situation and
understand how the law can help you make a fresh start.