Small Business Bankruptcy Lawyer Brooklyn
Your business deserves a real path forward.
The right path depends on your specific situation: your debts, your assets, and your goals. No two cases are the same, and the stakes are high. Your livelihood, your credit, and your employees’ jobs may all be on the line.
Understanding which chapter fits your situation is the first and most important step. Our team can review your full financial picture and help you make that call with clear, honest guidance.
How We Help Brooklyn Small Businesses Find a Path Forward
At Wenarsky and Goldstein, we start by taking a close look at your business finances. We review what you owe, what you own, and what your options are so you know exactly where you stand before any decisions are made.
Not every struggling business needs to close.
Some benefit from Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which clears debt fast and lets owners move on. Others are better suited for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which creates a structured plan to repay debt over time while keeping the business alive.
We help you see which path makes sense for your specific situation.
Brooklyn businesses face real pressure from creditors, from landlords, from the weight of unpaid bills. We take that seriously. Our approach is to cut through the noise, take a full view of your finances, and map out a clear strategy.
We don’t push one solution for every client.
We also look beyond bankruptcy when it fits. Small business matters, such as entity restructuring or compliance issues, can sometimes change the financial outlook. If a non-bankruptcy option may serve you better, we’ll say so.
Chapter 7 vs Chapter 11
For small business owners, Chapter 7 bankruptcy usually means closing the business and liquidating its assets to pay creditors. It can help eliminate unsecured business debts, but the owner may lose business property, and personal guarantees may still be owed.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows the business to keep operating while restructuring debts through a court-approved repayment plan. It is often used by businesses that want time to recover financially while continuing to serve customers and employees.
Small business owners typically choose Chapter 7 if the business is no longer viable. In contrast, Chapter 11 is more suitable when the business has a realistic chance of surviving after reorganizing its finances.
Focused on Bankruptcy and Small Business Matters
We focus our practice on bankruptcy and small business legal needs. This isn’t a side service. It’s a core part of what we do every day. From Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy to entity formation and compliance, we handle the full range of small business legal challenges.
Two Attorneys, Decades of Combined Experience
Attorneys Scott J. Goldstein and Jenee K. Ciccarelli bring decades of combined experience to every case. You work directly with our attorneys. Not a paralegal, not a case manager. Your situation gets real legal attention from the start.
Personalized Service, Not a Cookie-Cutter Approach
Every small business case is different. We build a plan around your specific facts, your debts, and your goals. We don’t push one-size-fits-all solutions. We listen first, then act. That approach has kept clients coming back — and referring others — since 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I file for bankruptcy if my business owes back payroll taxes?
Yes, but payroll tax debt is treated as a priority claim, which means it typically cannot be discharged in Chapter 7. A small business bankruptcy lawyer Brooklyn businesses rely on can review your full tax liability and help you build a plan to address it.
2. What happens to my business assets if I personally guaranteed a loan?
A personal guarantee makes you liable for that debt even if the business closes. If you file personal bankruptcy, that debt may be included. However, a lawyer should first review what assets could be at risk under New York exemptions.
3. Can I keep running my business while a Chapter 11 case is pending in Brooklyn?
In most Chapter 11 cases, yes. You operate as a debtor in possession and keep running day-to-day operations. You are required to follow strict court reporting rules and get court approval for decisions outside normal business activity.
4. Does filing for bankruptcy stop a pending lawsuit against my business?
Yes. The automatic stay halts most active lawsuits the moment you file. There are narrow exceptions — such as certain criminal proceedings — but civil creditor actions typically pause right away.
5. How long does a small business bankruptcy case take in the Eastern District of New York?
A Chapter 7 liquidation often concludes in 4 to 6 months. Chapter 11 reorganization cases vary widely, but most small-business cases under the Subchapter V streamlined process aim to confirm a plan within 3 to 5 months of filing.
Call the Law Office of Wenarsky & Goldstein
At the Law Offices of Wenarsky & Goldstein, LLC, our New York and New Jersey attorneys are experienced and knowledgeable in bankruptcy, estate planning and probate, guardianship, special needs planning, and real estate law. To learn more about how we can assist you with your legal needs, call us today at 973-453-2838.
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