assignment benefit of creditors

assignment for benefit of creditors

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Assignment for the benefit of the creditors (ABC)(also known as general assignment for the benefit of the creditors) is a voluntary alternative to formal bankruptcy proceedings that transfers all of the assets from a debtor to a trust for liquidating and distributing its assets. The trustee will manage the assets to pay off debt to creditors, and if any assets are left over, they will be transferred back to the debtor. 

ABC can provide many benefits to an insolvent business in lieu of bankruptcy . First, unlike in bankruptcy proceedings, the business can choose the trustee overseeing the process who might know the specifics of the business better than an appointed trustee. Second, bankruptcy proceedings can take much more time, involve more steps, and further restrict how the business is liquidated compared to an ABC which avoids judicial oversight. Thirdly, dissolving or transferring a company through an ABC often avoids the negative publicity that bankruptcy generates. Lastly, a company trying to purchase assets of a struggling company can avoid liability to unsecured creditors of the failing company. This is important because most other options would expose the acquiring business to all the debt of the struggling business. 

ABC has risen in popularity since the early 2000s, but it varies based on the state. California embraces ABC with common law oversight while many states use stricter statutory ABC structures such as Florida. Also, depending on the state’s corporate law and the company’s charter , the struggling business may be forced to get shareholder approval to use ABC which can be difficult in large corporations. 

[Last updated in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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Assignments for the Benefits of Creditors - "ABC's" - The Basics in California

An assignment for the benefit of creditors (“ABC”) is a contract by which an economically troubled entity ("Assignor") transfers legal and equitable title, as well as custody and control, of its assets and property to an independent third party ("Assignee") in trust, who is required to apply the proceeds of sale of the property to the assignor's creditors in accord with priorities established by law.

ABCs are a well-established common law tool and alternative to formal bankruptcy proceedings. The method only makes sense if there are significant assets to liquidate. ABCs are most successful when the Assignor, Assignee and creditors cooperate but can be imposed even if the creditors are not supportive.

Assignors - Rights and Duties

Generally, any debtor – an individual, partnership, corporation or LLC - may make an assignment for the benefit of creditors. Individuals seldom utilize ABCs, though, because there is no discharge of all debts as there would normally occur in a completed bankruptcy filing. Thus, the protection and benefit of the process is quite limited for any personal obligor.

ABCs can benefit individual principals who have personally guaranteed company obligations or have personal liability on tax claims. Once the Assignment Agreement has been executed, a trust is automatically put in place over the assets transferred. The Assignor can neither rescind the contract nor control the proceedings, but the Assignor may be consulted as necessary and appropriate by the Assignee during the liquidation process.

Assets to be Assigned

Assignor may assign any non-exempt real, personal, and/or general intangible property that can be sold or conveyed. Note that such assets as intellectual property, trade names, logos, etc. may be so transferred and sold. When a corporation makes an assignment, all corporate property, tangible and intangible is transferred including accounts, and rights and credits of all kinds, both in law and equity. The assets only can be sold, not the corporation or its stock. Thus the corporation remains existing, albeit without any significant assets left. It becomes, effectively, a shell.

Assets are typically sold without representations or warranties. The sale is free and clear of known liens, claims and encumbrances - with the consent or full payoff of lien holders. Generally, Assignee warrants only that Assignee has title to the assets.

Assignees - Rights and Duties

The Assignee is generally an unrelated professional liquidator selected by the Assignor. The Assignee gathers the Assignor’s assets and sells the Assignor’s right, title and interest in those assets, then distributes the proceeds to Creditors in accordance with statutory priorities.

The Assignee has a fiduciary duty to the Creditors. Assignee’s duties include protecting the assets of the estate, administering them fairly and representing the estate. Assignee is free to enter into contracts to recover assets or liquidated claims, e.g. filing suit or taking other action.

The Assignee may be removed by a court for violations of the Assignment contract or nonfeasance (failure to act appropriately). The Assignee may not give up his/her/its duties without liability or a superior court order until creditors receive distribution of the proceeds of sale of the assets transferred.

Assignee usually prepares the Assignment documents, though the attorney for the Assignor may draft them as well. Often the terms are negotiated at length.

Preferential Claims and Avoidance

Assignee has statutory avoidance powers, similar to those granted to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee. [See Calif. CCP § 493.030 (termination of lien of attachment or temporary protective order), § 1800 et seq. (avoidance of preferential transfers); Calif. Civ.C. § 3439 et seq. (avoidance of fraudulent conveyances)]

Even so, courts may question this right outside a bankruptcy proceeding. There is also disagreement between the Federal Court (Ninth Circuit) and California state courts whether the Bankruptcy Code preempts the assignee's preference avoidance power under California statutory law.

Creditors - Rights and Duties

While not required to consent to an Assignment, secured creditors often must agree in advance since their cooperation frequently affects the liquidation of the assets. Secured creditors are not barred from enforcing their security by such an assignment. The acceptance of an Assignment by unsecured creditors is not necessary, since under common law the proceedings are deemed to benefit them through equality of treatment.

Note that all Creditors must file their claims within the statutory 150-180 day claim filing period.

ABCs in California do not require a public court filing, but most corporations require both board and shareholder approval. Costs and expenses, including the assignee’s fees, legal expenses and costs of administration, are paid first, just as in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy . Because an assignee’s fee is often based on a percentage value of the assigned assets, it can be difficult to procure assignees for smaller estates.

• Assignment Agreement is executed and ratified. Assignor turns over and assigns to Assignee all right, title and interest in the assets being assigned.
• Assignor gives Assignee a complete, certified list of creditors, including addresses and amounts owed.
• Assignee notifies Creditors within 30 days of execution that assignment has been made, provides an estimate of the probable distribution, and provides a claim form for each Creditor to file a claim in the Assignment estate.
• Creditors have 150-180 days from the date of written notice of the assignment to file their claims.
• After claim forms are returned and/or the Bar Date has passed, Assignee reconciles the claims and/or objects to any improper claim amounts.
• After liquidation, Assignee determines distribution amounts. Claim priority is determined first by state statute, then by Bankruptcy Code. First are secured creditors, then follow tax & wage claims.
• Assignee generally informs the IRS that assignment has been made and files notice with local Recorder.
• Assignee immediately searches for any previously undisclosed liens (UCC or real estate) to ensure complete notice to all creditors and interest holders.
• Assignee secures all assets. In limited situations where the business has enough cash, Assignee may continue to operate the business to maintain going-concern value - if no further debt will be incurred.

It normally takes about 12 months to conclude an ABC.

Effects of ABC

An ABC generally is faster and less costly than a bankruptcy proceeding. Parties can often agree and determine what is going to happen prior to execution of the assignment.

However, ABCs do not discharge individual Assignors from their debts, and do not provide for the reorganization of the business. There is no automatic stay, though in practice an ABC results in an informal and/or incomplete automatic stay if the creditors determine that the assets are beyond their reach.

Creditors are able to continue to pursue the Assignor. ABCs often block judgment creditors from attaching assets because the Assignor no longer has title to or interest in the assigned assets. Sometimes the Assignee is willing to allow the judgment if the judgment creditor submits its claim as described above. The assignee may also defend against a claim if the plaintiff is seeking a judgment which is unjustified and not fair to other creditors.

An ABC also provides grounds for filing an involuntary bankruptcy petition within 120 days of assignment.

The Statutes: California Code of Civil Procedure

§§493.010-493.060 “Effect of Bankruptcy Proceedings and General Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors”

§§1800-1802 “Recovery of Preferences and Exempt Property in an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors”

A Chapter 11 Reorganization can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and even a business Chapter 7 Liquidation bankruptcy can easily cost tens of thousands or more. The Assignment method, which pays the Assignee normally by a percentage of the assets sold, is cost-efficient but limited in the protection it may afford the Assignor, as described above. Before this method is attempted, competent legal counsel and certified public accountants should be consulted.

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In The (Red)

The Business Bankruptcy Blog

Assignments For The Benefit Of Creditors: Simple As ABC?

Companies in financial trouble are often forced to liquidate their assets to pay creditors. While a Chapter 11 bankruptcy sometimes makes the most sense, other times a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is required, and in still other situations a corporate dissolution may be best. This post examines another of the options, the assignment for the benefit of creditors, commonly known as an "ABC."

A Few Caveats . It’s important to remember that determining which path an insolvent company should take depends on the specific facts and circumstances involved. As in many areas of the law, one size most definitely does not fit all for financially troubled companies. With those caveats in mind, let’s consider one scenario sometimes seen when a venture-backed or other investor-funded company runs out of money.

One Scenario . After a number of rounds of investment, the investors of a privately held corporation have decided not to put in more money to fund the company’s operations. The company will be out of cash within a few months and borrowing from the company’s lender is no longer an option. The accounts payable list is growing (and aging) and some creditors have started to demand payment. A sale of the business may be possible, however, and a term sheet from a potential buyer is anticipated soon. The company’s real property lease will expire in nine months, but it’s possible that a buyer might want to take over the lease.

• A Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing is problematic because there is insufficient cash to fund operations going forward, no significant revenues are being generated, and debtor in possession financing seems highly unlikely unless the buyer itself would make a loan. 
• The board prefers to avoid a Chapter 7 bankruptcy because it’s concerned that a bankruptcy trustee, unfamiliar with the company’s technology, would not be able to generate the best recovery for creditors.

The ABC Option . In many states, another option that may be available to companies in financial trouble is an assignment for the benefit of creditors (or "general assignment for the benefit of creditors" as it is sometimes called). The ABC is an insolvency proceeding governed by state law rather than federal bankruptcy law.

California ABCs . In California, where ABCs have been done for years, the primary governing law is found in California Code of Civil Procedure sections 493.010 to 493.060 and sections 1800 to 1802 , among other provisions of California law. California Code of Civil Procedure section 1802 sets forth, in remarkably brief terms, the main procedural requirements for a company (or individual) making, and an assignee accepting, a general assignment for the benefit of creditors:

1802.  (a) In any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, as defined in Section 493.010, the assignee shall, within 30 days after the assignment has been accepted in writing, give written notice of the assignment to the assignor’s creditors, equityholders, and other parties in interest as set forth on the list provided by the assignor pursuant to subdivision (c).    (b) In the notice given pursuant to subdivision (a), the assignee shall establish a date by which creditors must file their claims to be able to share in the distribution of proceeds of the liquidation of the assignor’s assets.  That date shall be not less than 150 days and not greater than 180 days after the date of the first giving of the written notice to creditors and parties in interest.    (c) The assignor shall provide to the assignee at the time of the making of the assignment a list of creditors, equityholders, and other parties in interest, signed under penalty of  perjury, which shall include the names, addresses, cities, states, and ZIP Codes for each person together with the amount of that person’s anticipated claim in the assignment proceedings.

In California, the company and the assignee enter into a formal "Assignment Agreement." The company must also provide the assignee with a list of creditors, equityholders, and other interested parties (names, addresses, and claim amounts). The assignee is required to give notice to creditors of the assignment, setting a bar date for filing claims with the assignee that is between five to six months later.

ABCs In Other States . Many other states have ABC statutes although in practice they have been used to varying degrees. For example, ABCs have been more common in California than in states on the East Coast, but important exceptions exist. Delaware corporations can generally avail themselves of Delaware’s voluntary assignment statutes , and its procedures have both similarities and important differences from the approach taken in California. Scott Riddle of the Georgia Bankruptcy Law Blog has an interesting post discussing ABC’s under Georgia law . Florida is another state in which ABCs are done under specific statutory procedures . For an excellent book that has information on how ABCs are conducted in various states, see Geoffrey Berman’s General Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors: The ABCs of ABCs , published by the American Bankruptcy Institute .

Important Features Of ABCs . A full analysis of how ABCs function in a particular state and how one might affect a specific company requires legal advice from insolvency counsel. The following highlights some (but by no means all) of the key features of ABCs:

• Court Filing Issue . In California, making an ABC does not require a public court filing. Some other states, however, do require a court filing to initiate or complete an ABC.
• Select The Assignee . Unlike a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee, who is randomly appointed from those on an approved panel, a corporation making an assignment is generally able to choose the assignee.
• Shareholder Approval . Most corporations require both board and shareholder approval for an ABC because it involves the transfer to the assignee of substantially all of the corporation’s assets. This makes ABCs impractical for most publicly held corporations.
• Liquidator As Fiduciary . The assignee is a fiduciary to the creditors and is typically a professional liquidator.
• Assignee Fees . The fees charged by assignees often involve an upfront payment and a percentage based on the assets liquidated.
• No Automatic Stay . In many states, including California, an ABC does not give rise to an automatic stay  like bankruptcy, although an assignee can often block judgment creditors from attaching assets.
• Event Of Default . The making of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors is typically a default under most contracts. As a result, contracts may be terminated upon the assignment under an ipso facto clause .
• Proof Of Claim . For creditors, an ABC process generally involves the submission to the assignee of a proof of claim by a stated deadline or bar date, similar to bankruptcy. (Click on the link for an example of an ABC proof of claim form .)
• Employee Priority . Employee and other claim priorities are governed by state law and may involve different amounts than apply under the Bankruptcy Code. In California, for example, the employee wage and salary priority is $4,300, not the $10,950 amount currently in force under the Bankruptcy Code.
• 20 Day Goods . Generally, ABC statutes do not have a provision similar to that under Bankruptcy Code Section 503(b)(9) , which gives an administrative claim priority to vendors who sold goods in the ordinary course of business to a debtor during the 20 days before a bankruptcy filing . As a result, these vendors may recover less in an ABC than in a bankruptcy case, subject to assertion of their reclamation rights .
• Landlord Claim . Unlike bankruptcy, there generally is no cap imposed on a landlord’s claim for breach of a real property lease in an ABC.
• Sale Of Assets . In many states, including California, sales by the assignee of the company’s assets are completed as a private transaction without approval of a court. However, unlike a bankruptcy Section 363 sale , there is usually no ability to sell assets "free and clear" of liens and security interests without the consent or full payoff of lienholders. Likewise, leases or executory contracts cannot be assigned without required consents from the other contracting party.
• Avoidance Actions . Most states allow assignees to pursue preferences and fraudulent transfers. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has held that the Bankruptcy Code pre-empts California’s preference statute , California Code of Civil Procedure section 1800. Nevertheless, to date the California state courts have refused to follow the Ninth Circuit’s decision and still permit assignees to sue for preferences in California state court . In February 2008, a Delaware state court followed the California state court decisions , refusing either to follow the Ninth Circuit position or to hold that the California preference statute was pre-empted by the Bankruptcy Code. The Delaware court was required to apply California’s ABC preference statute because the avoidance action arose out of an earlier California ABC.

The Scenario Revisited. With this overview in mind, let’s return to our company in distress.

• The prospect of a term sheet from a potential buyer may influence whether our hypothetical company should choose an ABC or another approach. Some buyers will refuse to purchase assets outside of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy or a Chapter 7 case. Others are comfortable with the ABC process and believe it provides an added level of protection from fraudulent transfer claims  compared to purchasing the assets directly from the insolvent company. Depending on the value to be generated by a sale, these considerations may lead the company to select one approach over the other available options.
• In states like California where no court approval is required for a sale, the ABC can also mean a much faster closing — often within a day or two of the ABC itself provided that the assignee has had time to perform due diligence on the sale and any alternatives — instead of the more typical 30-60 days required for bankruptcy court approval of a Section 363 sale. Given the speed at which they can be done, in the right situation an ABC can permit a "going concern" sale to be achieved.
• Secured creditors with liens against the assets to be sold will either need to be paid off through the sale or will have to consent to release their liens; forced "free and clear" sales generally are not possible in an ABC.
• If the buyer decides to take the real property lease, the landlord will need to consent to the lease assignment. Unlike bankruptcy, the ABC process generally cannot force a landlord or other third party to accept assignment of a lease or executory contract.
• If the buyer decides not to take the lease, or no sale occurs, the fact that only nine months remains on the lease means that this company would not benefit from bankruptcy’s cap on landlord claims. If the company’s lease had years remaining, and if the landlord were unwilling to agree to a lease termination approximating the result under bankruptcy’s landlord claim cap, the company would need to consider whether a bankruptcy filing was necessary to avoid substantial dilution to other unsecured creditor claims that a large, uncapped landlord claim would produce in an ABC.
• If the potential buyer walks away, the assignee would be responsible for determining whether a sale of all or a part of the assets was still possible. In any event, assets would be liquidated by the assignee to the extent feasible and any proceeds would be distributed to creditors in order of their priority through the ABC’s claims process.
• While other options are available and should be explored, an ABC may make sense for this company depending upon the buyer’s views, the value to creditors and other constituencies that a sale would produce, and a clear-eyed assessment of alternative insolvency methods. 

Conclusion . When weighing all of the relevant issues, an insolvent company’s management and board would be well-served to seek the advice of counsel and other insolvency professionals as early as possible in the process. The old song may say that ABC is as "easy as 1-2-3," but assessing whether an assignment for the benefit of creditors is best for an insolvent company involves the analysis of a myriad of complex factors.

United States: Assignment For The Benefit Of Creditors: An Overview

What is an assignment for the benefit of creditors? An assignment for the benefit of creditors ("ABC") is an alternative to a chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding. As in a chapter 7, the debtor's assets are shepherded and liquidated for the benefit of the debtor's creditors. An ABC is governed by statute and can either be court-supervised or conducted out of court. In New York, an ABC is governed by Article 2 of the Debtor and Creditor Law.

In an ABC proceeding, the debtor is referred to as an assignor, because it makes a transfer of all its assets to an assignee who serves as a trustee. The assignee is charged with placing all the assets in trust in order to liquidate and distribute the proceeds to creditors. While an ABC has many similarities with a chapter 7 liquidation, the two do differ in two important regards:

• an ABC does not afford a debtor an automatic stay from creditor collection; and
• a sale does not provide the purchaser with the right to purchase the assets free and clear of liens – unlike a 363 sale in Bankruptcy.

To commence an ABC, an assignor executes an assignment conveying all its assets to the assignee, who becomes a fiduciary on behalf of the assignor and its creditors. The assignee then collects and liquidates assets by collecting accounts receivable, conducting an auction sale, sometimes to a stalking horse bidder who starts the bidding, or through a going out of business sale.

An assignor also has powers under state law to recover fraudulent pre-ABC transfers of assets and preferential payments made to creditors. In New York, the "look-back period" for recovering these transfers is four years.

When it comes to distribution of the assets collected by the assignee, an ABC proceeding follows an established order of priority, which is set forth in either the state's unique ABC laws or in the deed of assignment. The assignee tallies the proofs of claim that were filed by the creditors in the proceeding and pays the claims, either in full or on a pro rata basis in accordance with the priority scheme.

After the assignor's assets have been liquidated and creditors have been paid out, the assignee must prepare an accounting detailing the flows of monies in and out of the estate during the case, which may have to be filed with the court supervising the proceedings. As part of the accounting process, the assignee asks the court to close the estate, which notifies all interested parties that (i) the estate has been fully administered, (ii) that the assignee's work is complete, (iii) that no further distributions need be made, and (iv) that the assignment is terminated.

An ABC is a useful, cost-effective alternative to a traditional chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation, and may suitably serve liquidation requirements in some situations.

Originally published 03/07/2023

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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• Pursuing Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors
• Pursuing Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors Overview
• Bankruptcy and Restructuring
• Security Agreements and UCC Filings in Bankruptcy
• Acquiring Assets from Bankruptcy Estates and Distressed Borrowers
• Workout, Refinancing, and Restructuring Opportunities Outside of Bankruptcy
• Representing Creditors in Bankruptcy Court and Pre-Petition Negotiations
• Debtor-in-Possession Financing and Cash Collateral
• Preventing Debtor Bankruptcy Through Liquidation, Restructuring, and Reorganization
• Proofs of Claim
• Estate Disputes Over the Treatment of Differing Creditor Claims, Transfer Avoidance, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, and Alter Ego Liability
• Reconciling Creditors Committee Interests to Avoid Litigation and Expedite Recovery
• Litigating Parasitic State Court Claims on Behalf of the Estate
• Adversary Proceedings to Set Aside Preference Payments and Fraudulent Transfers
• Creditors’ Committees and Trustees
• Defending Against Involuntary Bankruptcy Petitions
• Advising Insolvent Companies on Fiduciary Duties and Winding Down
• Establishing a Restructuring Agenda
• Recovering from Non-Debtor Entities
• Filing Involuntary Bankruptcy Petitions
• Foreclosure or Repossession During Bankruptcy
• The Impact of Commercial Reorganization on Creditors
• Assigning Bankruptcy Claims to Claims Traders
• Trade Supplier Relations with Financially Distressed Customers
• Creditor’s Committees and Trustees
• Adversary Proceedings in Bankruptcy
• Relief from the Automatic Stay
• Bankruptcy Defense: Fraudulent Transfers and Preferential Payments

What are assignments for the benefit of creditors?

Assignments for the benefit of creditors (ABCs) are an alternative to formal bankruptcy proceedings. Under Florida law, an ABC is a voluntary, out-of-court process where a debtor transfers their assets to an assignee, who then liquidates these assets and distributes the proceeds to the debtor’s creditors.

For example, a struggling business in Florida may pursue an ABC instead of filing for bankruptcy. This choice can be advantageous because it is often faster, less expensive, and less public than a formal bankruptcy filing. The business would transfer its assets to an assignee responsible for selling these assets and distributing the proceeds to the creditors following the priorities established by Florida law.

Need a bankruptcy law advocate? Schedule your consultation today with a top bankruptcy and restructuring attorney.

Which Florida laws and regulations apply to assignments for the benefit of creditors?

The primary source of law governing ABCs in Florida is Chapter 727 of the Florida Statutes . This chapter outlines the process for initiating an ABC, the assignee’s role, and the creditors’ rights. Additionally, the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure may apply to certain aspects of an ABC, such as serving notice to creditors and managing creditor claims.

Federal laws, such as the Bankruptcy Code , generally do not apply to ABCs because they are state law alternatives to bankruptcy. However, it is essential to note that federal laws may still impact an ABC in certain situations, such as when a debtor’s assets are subject to federal tax liens or other federal claims. In these cases, debtors must consult a knowledgeable attorney to navigate the interplay between state and federal laws.

How do assignments for the benefit of creditors connect to the bankruptcy process?

The connection between pursuing an ABC and bankruptcy legal services for debtors lies in their shared goal of providing relief to financially distressed individuals or businesses. Both processes involve the liquidation of assets and the distribution of proceeds to creditors. However, ABCs are generally less formal, less expensive, and more private than bankruptcy filings, making them an attractive option for debtors seeking to avoid the stigma and complexities associated with bankruptcy.

In an ABC, a debtor voluntarily transfers their assets to an assignee who liquidates them and distributes the proceeds to creditors. This process differs from a bankruptcy proceeding, where a court-appointed trustee oversees the operation. Furthermore, while strict federal rules and procedures bind bankruptcy cases, ABCs offer more flexibility, allowing parties to tailor the process to their needs.

When a set of facts is appropriate for bankruptcy services, there are many paths a claimant may take. We are value-based attorneys at Jimerson Birr, which means we look at each action with our clients from the point of view of costs and benefits while reducing liability. Then, based on our client’s objectives, we chart a path to seek appropriate remedies.

To determine whether your unique situation may necessitate litigation or another form of specialized bankruptcy advocacy, please contact our office to set up your initial consultation.

What are the prerequisites for debtors to pursue assignments for the benefit of creditors?

Consider the following:

• Voluntary action: The debtor must willingly initiate an ABC, as this process is a voluntary alternative to bankruptcy.
• Valid assignment: The debtor must properly execute and deliver the assignment to a qualified assignee, who is often an attorney, accountant, or insolvency professional.
• Recording the assignment: The assignee must record the assignment in the county’s public records containing the debtor’s principal place of business.
• Filing notice: The assignee must file a notice of the assignment with the circuit court clerk in the county where the debtor recorded the assignment.
• Notifying creditors: The assignee must provide written notice to all known creditors of the debtor within 20 days of the assignment, informing them about the ABC process and their rights.

By satisfying these requirements, the debtor can effectively pursue an ABC in Florida, which allows for a more personal and flexible approach to resolving financial difficulties compared to bankruptcy.

Please contact our office to set up your initial consultation to see what forms of legal protection and advocacy may be available for your unique situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can a debtor choose any person as an assignee for an ABC?

No, not just anyone can be an assignee. The assignee must be a disinterested person who is not an insider of the debtor and is qualified to manage the debtor’s assets and affairs. Assignees are typically professionals, such as attorneys, accountants, or insolvency experts.

• Does an ABC in Florida prevent creditors from pursuing legal action against the debtor?

Unlike bankruptcy, an ABC does not automatically halt legal actions by creditors. However, creditors may agree to a standstill or moratorium on legal actions while the ABC process is ongoing. This outcome may depend on the specific circumstances and the willingness of the creditors to cooperate.

• How does an ABC affect the debtor’s credit rating?

Although an ABC may be less public and stigmatizing than bankruptcy, it can still harm the debtor’s credit rating. Credit reporting agencies may treat an ABC as a similar event to a default, which can lower the debtor’s credit score and make it more difficult for them to obtain future credit or loans. However, the impact on the credit rating may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the debtor’s credit history before the ABC. Therefore, debtors must work closely with financial advisors and credit counselors to rebuild their credit after an ABC process.

Have more questions about how bankruptcy services could positively impact your business operations and relationships?

Crucially, this overview of assignments for the benefit of creditors does not begin to cover all the laws implicated by this issue or the factors that may compel the application of such laws. Every case is unique, and the laws can produce different outcomes depending on the individual circumstances.

Jimerson Birr attorneys guide our clients to help make informed decisions while ensuring their rights are respected and protected. Our lawyers are highly trained and experienced in the nuances of the law, so they can accurately interpret statutes and case law and holistically prepare individuals or companies for their legal endeavors. Through this intense personal investment and advocacy, our lawyers will help resolve the issue’s complicated legal problems efficiently and effectively.

Having a Jimerson Birr attorney on your side means securing a team of seasoned, multi-dimensional, cross-functional legal professionals. Whether it is a transaction, an operational issue, a regulatory challenge, or a contested legal predicament that may require court intervention, we remain tireless advocates at every step. Being a value-added law firm means putting the client at the forefront of everything we do. We use our experience to help our clients navigate even the most complex problems and come out the other side triumphant.

If you want to understand your case, the merits of your claim or defense, potential monetary awards, or the amount of exposure you face, you should speak with a qualified Jimerson Birr lawyer. Our experienced team of attorneys is here to help. Call Jimerson Birr at (904) 389-0050 or use the contact form to schedule a consultation .

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What is Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors?

Explaining an emerging alternative to bankruptcy to resolve distress.

What is an ABC?

Assignment for the benefit of creditors (ABC) is a state law winddown procedure that allows for the orderly winddown of a company. The ABC provides for the appointment of an independent fiduciary representative – known as an assignee. The assignee manages the orderly wind down of the business and monetizes the company’s assets for the benefit of the company’s creditors. The assignee will then distribute the proceeds generated from the sale of the company’s assets to the company’s creditors according to state law.

Important pre-approval considerations :

• The decision must be approved by both the board and shareholders.
• Jurisdiction matters – 35 states have some form of an ABC in its laws. Each state will have different considerations and procedures to follow.

What are the benefits of an ABC?

• Choice: Unlike a receivership or a Chapter 7 Case, the board has the ability to select the assignee.
• Time: A bankruptcy case is a lengthy process with many procedural requirements. Most ABCs are significantly less time-consuming than a bankruptcy case or a receivership.  
• Savings: The shortened engagement time for ABCs means billing is leaner – many times, ABCs can provide higher returns.
• Distributions to Creditors: Since the cost of an ABC is usually less than a bankruptcy case or a receivership, the actual return to creditors is usually greater in an ABC than in a bankruptcy case or a receivership. In addition, due to the expedited nature of an ABC, distributions to creditors will usually occur sooner in an ABC than in a bankruptcy case or a receivership.

What else should be considered in ABCs?

ABCs have some key differences from bankruptcies which should be carefully considered. For example, there are no automatic stays or statutory caps for landlord claims or employment claims in ABC. Leases and other executory contracts may be more difficult to assign in an ABC than in a bankruptcy case. In addition, ABCs can only be used for a winddown or sale of the business, not reorganization of the business

Interested in learning more?

Resolute’s team of experts include Steve O’Neill , who has more than 35 years of legal experience in ABCs, complex bankruptcy cases, and sale/winddown of companies; and Jeremiah Foster , who has served bankruptcy trustee and liquidating trustee in a variety of ventures.

Please contact us if you would if you’d like to learn more about ABCs or explore your company’s options.

Parsippany: (973) 538-4700

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Is an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors like a Bankruptcy?

At first, an assignment for the benefit of creditors (ABC) may seem similar to a bankruptcy claim. However, upon a deeper look, it is clear that an assignment for the benefit of creditors is different. Similar to liquidation proceedings in chapter 7 or chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, an ABC can be used by either an individual or a business if they are going through significant financial difficulties. In both cases, the struggling debtor sells off all its assets in order to pay back its outstanding debts to its creditors. This mechanism helps to maximize the return for creditors.

An assignment for the benefit of creditors is distinct from bankruptcy proceedings because it is a much less formal process governed by state law rather than federal law. The informal nature of these proceedings means that it is faster and easier to marshal a debtor’s assets, liquidate same, and distribute proceeds equitably to creditors under an assignment rather than under federal bankruptcy law. Furthermore, an ABC often requires less court involvement and provides more flexibility to the assignee to make liquidation decisions as required. This is generally beneficial for both creditors and debtors because it is faster, less expensive, and more private than traditionally afforded bankruptcy liquidations.

Understanding Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors in New Jersey

In New Jersey, an assignment for the benefit of creditors is governed by New Jersey statutes that codify the preexisting common law. The proceedings are voluntary processes whereby the debtor designates an assignee who is empowered to marshal and liquidate (sell) the assets of the debtor and then distribute the proceeds of the sale to the debtor’s creditors. The assignee must ensure that all of the financial liquidations are done for the benefit of the creditors and with the sole goal of repaying outstanding debts. This is significant because in New Jersey, the debtor can choose its assignee rather than relying on a court-appointed trustee in bankruptcy who may not understand the nuances of the debtor’s finances. The ability to choose the assignee can be beneficial because an assignee with an understanding of the debtor’s finances can expedite the liquidation process rather than spend valuable time learning the ropes.

An ABC in New Jersey is generally cheaper than filing formal bankruptcy proceedings because it is faster and usually requires less litigation. The expeditious nature cuts down on the debtor’s and creditor’s legal bills and other costs associated with ongoing litigation. Still, creditors should be counseled to make sure that the liquidation is being conducted properly, and that the assignee is obtaining a fair return on the sale of the assets to maximize the recovery of the debts owed to the creditors.

FSKS is on Your Side

At FSKS, our attorneys are experienced in both bankruptcy and assignments for the benefit of creditors in New Jersey. We have a strong track record of success in the area of creditor’s rights and pride ourselves on being one of the strongest and most successful Creditors’ Rights firms in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. We’re ready to give you trusted advice and help maximize your return.

If you require assistance with or have questions regarding an assignment for the benefit of creditors in New Jersey, please contact Vincent DiMaiolo, Jr. ( [email protected] ), Nicholas Canova ( [email protected] ), or Tammy L. Terrell-Benoza ( [email protected] ) at (973) 538-4700 .

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Assignment For The Benefit Of Creditors

If you do not want to file a bankruptcy petition and cannot get creditors to agree to a workout, you might want to look to the state courts for some relief. In most states (including New York and New Jersey), companies look to a set of statutes governing the assignment for the benefit of creditors or an “ABC”.  However, this option is only used in the event the company has a lot of creditors and the company managers have decided to wind up the business.

In an ABC, the company’s board of directors makes the decision to liquidate through the ABC process and authorizes an officer to commence that proceeding.  That officer prepares and signs a written assignment of all of the company’s assets and debts to a third party.  The assignment contents must comply with very specific state requirements.

Once the assignment is complete, the assignee will look to see if the company can be sold as a going concern. The assignee will also send each creditor a claim form to assert their claim against the debtor.  If the assignee cannot sell the company as a going concern, the assignee will put each individual asset up for sale. The assignee will use his/her contacts to find buyers for assets and use publication notices specific to the industry to find buyers and generate cash to pay creditors.

This process almost always yields more for creditors than a chapter 7 bankruptcy because the administrative expenses of a chapter 7 bankruptcy are much higher than they are in state court, and the sale process is usually less cumbersome than it would be under a bankruptcy filing.  Once all of the assets are sold and there is nothing left to liquidate, the assignee will pay creditors in the order of their priority, which is set under the state’s statute.  The entire process usually takes about 6 months.

It should be noted that to the extent any of the company’s managers have personally guaranteed debt, unless the debt is paid in full through an ABC, the guarantor will not be relieved of his/her guaranty obligations.

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Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors

Unlike several other states, California’s assignment for the benefit of creditors (ABC) statute law provides for a robust and effective out-of-court procedure for smoothly terminating a business. This process is preferred by many technology companies, startups and entrepreneurs because it helps principals to easily move on to new projects.

An ABC provides for several advantages. For example, an ABC is initiated by the business itself, not by its creditors, and the business can set the stage for a controlled termination. Specifically, the business evaluates and selects its own general assignee to handle the termination, and the professionals who will be involved are known in advance. (By contrast, the trustee appointed in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case is unknown, and the trustee’s investigation of assets and financial affairs can be expensive and uncomfortable.) Moreover, the business has the opportunity to plan, prepare and marshal its resources prior to initiating the ABC.

A chief advantage is that an ABC allows the business to take steps to maximize value, including by potentially selling assets as a going concern and identifying potential asset purchasers in advance. Approaches to asset sales can be tailored to maximize value, including strategic marketing, private sales, and simple or highly structured auctions. An ABC is also a low-profile, out-of-court procedure that minimizes the principals’ exposure to unwanted scrutiny. Other advantages of an ABC include:

• Streamlined process for finally resolving claims
• Priority claims for employees
• Opportunity to undo certain transactions (fraudulent transfers and preferences)
• Avoidance of unperfected liens

Our lawyers represent businesses, general assignees and creditors in ABCs. Specifically, in one example, we represented a creditor in a large technology company’s ABC. Through careful and practical negotiation, we were able to obtain a carve-out agreement such that our client was entitled to be paid certain funds that would have gone to the former principal of the company while simultaneously preserving key business relationships.

Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors: Wisconsin | Practical Law

Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors: Wisconsin

Practical law state q&a w-030-1306  (approx. 25 pages).

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DTC Briefing: Why more brands are pursuing an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors

This is the latest installment of the DTC Briefing, a weekly Modern Retail+ column about the biggest challenges and trends facing the volatile direct-to-consumer startup world. More from the series →

Amid an economically challenging time for retail startups, more brands are pursuing a little-discussed alternative to Chapter 11 bankruptcy: an ABC. 

Called an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors, an ABC is a liquidation process in which all of the assets of a company are transferred to a third party (an “assignee”) that is responsible for selling them off. Outdoor Voices is reportedly pursuing an ABC after closing all of is retail stores last month. Other retail companies that have undergone an ABC in the past six months include Bandier and Zulilly.  

The benefits of an ABC, according to lawyers and financial experts, is that it is often speedier and less expensive than a bankruptcy proceeding. Unlike in a Chapter 11 or 7 proceeding, there is no automatic stay that is imposed, meaning creditors can still bring litigation against the company.

More DTC startups seem to be taking advantage of an ABC simply because more founders and board members are becoming aware that it is an option. And, during an economically challenging time, startups are going to take advantage of a greater array of liquidation and reorganization options. In 2023, there was a 30% year-over-year uptick in the number of companies that filed for bankruptcy.

Still, there’s no widely available data on how many startups pursue an ABC versus a Chapter 11 filing.

“It is an old-fashioned form of liquidation proceedings, and it is certainly cheaper than Chapter 11,” Jeffrey Chubak, associate at Amini LLC, said. 

“It is nowhere near as known or as understood as bankruptcy,” said Steven Victor, senior managing director at turnaround and financial advisory services firm Development Specialists, Inc.  

Victor said that, anecdotally, it feels like there has been an uptick in the number of companies pursuing ABCs over the past couple of decades. He chalked that up to the fact that companies today have more diversified ownership structures. In the 1980s, he said, many more businesses were family-owned. Now, just 27.1% of businesses are family-owned , according to U.S. Census Bureau data. 

Therefore, companies are more likely to have a board member or an investor who has gone through an ABC themselves and who may recommend the process to other companies. ABCs were frequently utilized when the dot-com bubble burst in the early 2000s.

Part of whether or not a company pursues an ABC depends on what its goals are and what creditors it has to pay off. If a distressed company has a lot of debt that makes a sale unpalatable, it has a few different options: It could pursue a Chapter 11 or Chapter 7 filing; it could pursue an ABC; or, it could wind down the company. “Different insolvency proceedings might get chosen to accomplish different goals,” Chubak said. 

In a Chapter 11 filing, the purpose is to reorganize to hopefully keep the business operating. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the goal is to liquidate assets.

While Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 proceedings are governed by federal law, ABCs play out in the state courts. One of the reasons companies may pursue an ABC is to keep more of the proceedings out of the public eye. There are typically fewer filings with an ABC and don’t attract as much scrutiny since they aren’t in federal court. With a Chapter 11 or 7 proceeding, “there are pleadings filed every day, every week,” he said — all of which can be fodder for journalists like, well, this one.

That’s not to say that the company will always keep the process under wraps. In fact, oftentimes it may make sense to put out a press release when a company undergoes an ABC to make potential acquirers aware of the sale process, Victor said. 

Another key component of the ABC process is that the distressed company enters into an agreement with a third-party assignee and transfers all of its assets and properties to that assignee. At that point, “if you are the management or owner of a company, or on the board of a company that is doing an assignment — you are essentially done,” Victor said. 

That can be appealing for leadership who don’t want to be involved with liquidation proceedings. Additionally, with an ABC, a company gets to choose who the third-party assignee is. That allows them to choose someone who they believe has specialized knowledge of their industry, and can potentially maximize the value of assets. By contrast, during a Chapter 7 proceeding, a company doesn’t get to choose who sells off their assets.

Once an assignee is chosen, they are responsible for then selling off the assets and distributing the proceeds to creditors. 

How long that may take depends on the parameters of the sale and what the assets are. “I can probably sell stuff in a month or two,” Victor said. By contrast, a Chapter 11 or 7 proceeding can take months, or even more than a year. When a company pursues an ABC, they likely have already tried to pursue other options at that point like securing a new round of financing or selling off the business, so they likely have already identified potential acquirers.

The one big drawback of an ABC, however, is that no automatic stay is imposed. “[Bankruptcy] affords the best form of protection from distractions during a liquidation,” Chubak said.

Different states have different regulations and stipulations around ABCs. For example, some states have unique requirements about who can serve as a third-party assignee. 

So, ultimately whether or not a company pursues an ABC depends on what state it operates in, what its goals are and what the advice is of its legal counsel. Another benefit to an ABC is that it can potentially allow a brand to live on, if that’s what the acquirer wants. Bandier, for example, was acquired by holding company BC Brands after announcing at the end of last year that it was going through an ABC.

No matter what position a company is in, Victor advises the leadership of a company to familiarize themselves with the ABC process.

“I strongly urge these boards to start considering their options, whatever they are, sooner than later, even during financing or a sale process,” Victor said. “In case Plan A doesn’t work, Plan B needs to be developed so that you don’t find yourself looking at a bankruptcy or an [ABC] with no funds to deal with it.”

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