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According to wordtracker, 1819 searches are made per day for the word debt consolidation while debt settlement or debt relief makes only 300 search counts per day. Do you think that all these people who are searching for this word actually want to do debt consolidation? My experience says that most of them want a debt solution. People feel that debt consolidation is the most commonly accepted debt solution.

Is the word debt consolidation misinterpreted?

If we look at Debt Consolidation Care some new members feel debt consolidation is all about settling debts, some feel it is about getting counseling and some feel it is about managing the whole debt. Some even feel it is about doing everything together to settle debts. Consolidation is “The act of combining into an integral whole”, so debt consolidation should be “The act of combining all fragmented debts into an integral whole”. There are different ways of debt consolidation; however, the most common way of merging all the debts is by taking another loan.

Is debt consolidation different from debt consolidation loan?

Yes, it is. Even Wikipedia confuses between “debt consolidation” and “debt consolidation loan”. Debt consolidation loan is about taking a new loan to repay your entire fragmented loan. This can:-

• Make debts more manageable.
• Sometimes reduce the average interest rate paid on fragmented debts.
• Further reduce the average interest paid on fragmented debts if a bigger secured debt (like home equity loan, which will offer much lower interest rate) is used to pay unsecured debts.

Debt consolidation loan is a kind of debt consolidation. Sometimes taking a huge loan to repay your other loans is not advisable. In the absence of collateral attachments, it is seen that many reliable creditors refuse to offer a huge loan package at lower rates.

From a customer’s point of view, it is basically consolidating many monthly payments to one in a smarter way to save more and pay faster. This can be done even without taking a loan by using debt management program, which is again widely perceived as debt consolidation, as monthly payments are consolidated to one. Next section of the article will explain it further.

Why everything is perceived as debt consolidation?

What customer sees is one big monthly payment, which might be used by a law firm under different schemes to settle debts.

A law firm may use the money for an account basis suited solution, which may include:-

• Debt Settlement: One account may go for debt settlement, so the company may sometimes accumulate the monthly payments to offer a lump sum.
• Debt Consolidation Loan: Another account may be paid off using another loan.

So the perceived debt consolidation includes:-

• Consolidating monthly payments to one.
• Debt settlement.
• Debt negotiation with the creditors.
• Credit counseling.
• Debt consolidation loan.
• Debt management.
• Debt portfolio.
• Asset portfolio.
• Budgeting.

When nothing works out the law firm helps the customer file a suited bankruptcy. Next time when you hear “debt consolidation”, remember it can be a perceived word for a mix of debt solutions.

Janet Williams is a financial writer for www.debtconsolidationcare.com

Dont let thishappen to you

Personal Experience of Debt:

3 years ago, I had 2 successful businesses and a 1.2million property portfolio but I also had 140k of personal & business debt. So I entered into an IVA, but I chose the wrong advisors. The IVA failed, my debt increased to approx 400k & the Insolvency practitioner (unfortunately, I chose a shark) made me bankrupt. I not only gained valuable knowledge from this experience, but I also made many excellent contacts including some of the top Insolvency practitioners in the UK. I now get huge job satisfaction by passing on this knowledge & experience to other people who find themselves in debt.

Professional Experience of Debt:

Im a Chartered Accountant / Chartered Tax Adviser with many years experience of working with Insolvency practitioners, Debt Advisors, Financial advisors etc I now know which advisors to use, and just as importantly, which ones to avoid.

Enter your details in the form on the right hand side of the page or Call me now on 0800 533 5370 to take advantage of my experience and to ensure you choose the right debt solution and just as importantly the right debt advisor

If your Company is in serious debt, there is a powerful, legal way of solving your problems that would result in selling your business on to a third party, which can be a totally new Company a newco or to the existing directors.

The name for this solution is pre pack administration.

The steps involved in a pre-pack administration are as follows.

Step 1:

Due to the poor financial health of your Company you seek advice from insolvency practitioners or even turnaround experts. It is possible that you are receiving threats or CCJs or statutory demands from your landlord, creditors or HMRC (for PAYE and VAT) and your bank. You, as directors, should be worried about wrongful trading (trading insolvently) and therefore becoming personally liable for your Companys debts.

The advice you receive from the insolvency practitioners / turnaround experts will be thorough and a full report will be prepared for the Directors (and possibly for the bank). All other Corporate debt solutions will have been considered and discussed in detail including company voluntary arrangements (CVAs), sale of the business on the open market, refinancing, administration and creditors voluntary liquidation.

If pre-pack administration is the best option, once all options have been considered, this decision will be made by the directors. A board meeting will be held and a resolution passed stating the companys board will consider the option in greater detail.

The resolution should include the appointment of formal advisors, either insolvency practitioners, turnaround practitioners or Accountants to act as advisors to the board.

Step 2:

If the plan is to sell the business (not the company) to a newco then a business plan for the newco must be drawn up. We recommend that this includes detailed profit and loss forecasts, cashflow forecasts and balance sheet forecasts. This will give an indication of working capital requirements. The proposed administrator will require this as evidence that the new company can be viable.

If the plan is to sell to an existing trading company, the IP will require copies of management information and accounts from that buyer. Again this is necessary to ensure the acquiror is viable and can afford any payments for the assets being acquired.

A qualified accountant should be contracted to provide this forecast pack in my view. My trained accountants and specialist forecasters can provide such a service.

Step 3: Compliance issues.

Under insolvency practitioners guidelines (known as SIPS) the IP must market the business. Often this requires sending sales memos to a database of potential buyers, or the IP may place an advert on his website and/or a local or national newspaper. If he gets no interest or no indication of interest he can then sell to the newco or third party. If there is a lot of interest and several offers, beware your business could fall into a competitors hands! You may still be able to buy the business back, but the outcome is not under your control

He or she will also have to get formal valuations of the assets, intellectual property and or goodwill of the insolvent company by RICS qualified surveyors. Generally any offer needs to be commensurate with such valuations.

At this stage if you and your colleagues are planning to buy the business you must be careful with regards to your personal position. As directors of the dying company you have a fiduciary duty of care to the companys creditors.

Starting newco can put you at risk of conflict of interest. Its likely that you will need separate legal advice on both companies. Best to talk to lawyers with insolvency and pre-pack experience.

The IP will take advice from his lawyers as to compliance and risk. He may require this advice to be paid for along with his disbursements. Strictly speaking he cannot charge time costs in advance for the pre-pack work but he will charge for consultancy and fees.

WARNINGS?

Beware will your clients contracts or BANK allow you to pre-pack? (The current stand point of several clearing banks is no they wont support pre packing to the incumbent directors/shareholders).

Will your landlord(s) allow a new company to occupy their property? Are your suppliers prepared to supply a newco? Will your creditors be angry about this approach? Some readers may have seen negative media coverage of pre-packs is rising sharply, almost in line with the economy shrinking. In future we see many more people attacking pre-packs, especially creditors and the media.

Step 4: Raising finance

You will need finance to fund the acquisition of the assets and business. There are many specialist lenders who can provide: factoring, asset based lending, loans and bank facilities. Some venture capital companies or angels may help fund the pre-pack as part of a buy and build strategy we have a number of contacts that can help with this.

Financing a pre-pack in 2009 is likely to be very difficult and will probably require personal guarantees from the directors for SMEs. Larger companies may find that the private equity and venture capital buyer, removes the directors as part of the pre-pack conditions.

Once again the funders will require a detailed plan supported by forecasts, they will want to test the valuations, the possibility of making and funding a loss and how their security needs will be met. So its vital to get these built. Call us if you need that done.

Step 5

Assuming that you have raised the finance, the proposed administrator has satisfied his compliance requirements and the board of newco believe they can fund the acquisition, then its all systems go.

A contract is likely to be drawn up that appoints the proposed administrator formally. He will then initiate the pre-pack administration by contacting any floating charge holders like banks or lenders with security. If they have no objections (and often they are involved in funding newco) then he can proceed.

Beware some banks will NOT allow a pre-pack to a related party. RBS, HBOS and HSBC for example will not generally countenance a phoenix with/to directors /members of the failed company. So it may be necessary to take out the bank first.

Assuming all is approved then the administrator makes an application to Court stating his proposals. Almost immediately after that the business is sold to a newco or third party.

This can be done on a Friday night and by Monday the business is trading virtually uninterrupted. Having bought the company name, the oldco see its name changed to something else, like Your Company (Realisations) Ltd.

If you think that your Company can be saved utilising pre pack administration, give us a call on 08000 842 844 now to discuss it further.

Business Rescue / Turnaround

Turnaround involves the restructure of a financially challenged company with or without the use of a formal insolvency procedure. This is only relevant for companies that have a viable business that can, if freed from debt, trade profitably.The Turnaround culture for financially distressed companies now firmly exists. It is being embraced by financial institutions as well as the accounting and insolvency professions and is particularly good news for entrepreneurs and risk takers who are so vital in industry.

What is Turnaround?

It can simply involve an informal workout with a key group of creditors but is more likely to include a detailed appraisal of the companys trading operation and the implementation of a programme to ensure the company survives and returns to profitable trading.

A well structured turnaround programme can avoid formal insolvency.

The key elements to a turnaround programme include:-

• Assessment of the business to ascertain whether it is viable;
• Identification of areas for restructuring and development of a programme for the implementation of changes required. This alone may not be sufficient to ensure the company can move to a positive trading position;
• Address cashflow problems by introduction of new/additional sources of funding. Funding options include debt, stock, asset finance as well as general and equity finance. Half the battle is knowing who to talk to;
• Management of turnaround programme. The companys management team is likely to need support in the early stages of implementation. Part of the programme may require changes in the structure of the management team.

We offer an initial free consultation on the various options that may be available to the company. If turnaround is appropriate, we will provide an estimate of our costs for carrying out a viability review and assisting with the drafting and implementation of the turnaround plan.

As with all debt solutions, selecting the right Insolvency practitioners for your Business Rescue requirements is of paramount importance. If youre not sure which Insolvency practitioner to use give us a call on 08000 842 844

There are 3 types of liquidation

(i) Members Voluntary Liquidation

A Members Voluntary Liquidation MVL is a voluntary procedure to wind up the affairs of a solvent company.

Solvent, what does this mean?A company is capable of paying its liabilities in full plus statutory interest plus the costs involved in winding up, within 12 months.

When is the MVL procedure appropriate?When a solvent company has come to the end of its useful life and needs to be wound up. For example:-

• Shareholders want to retire and have a property within the company which they want to transfer into their personal names. i.e. a distribution in specie.
• Rationalisation of a group of companies involving transfer of assets, write off of inter-company loans and winding-up of subsidiaries.

(ii) Creditors Voluntary liquidation

Creditors Voluntary Liquidation CVL is the process where the directors of an insolvent company can voluntarily take steps to wind up the company. The directors call meetings of the companys shareholders and creditors to consider resolutions to wind up the company and to appoint a liquidator.

WHEN IS A CVL USEFUL?

When a company is insolvent and no longer has a viable business worth saving. For example:

A company which has insufficient sales to cover its overheads and cannot continue to trade.

Insolvent, what does this mean?

S123 IA86 sets out the definition of insolvency which includes:- Creditor(s) are owed more than 750 and have either served a 21 day demand which has not been met or judgment has been given or it is proved to the satisfaction of the Court that the company cannot pay its debts as they fall due, or the companys liabilities exceed its assets including contingent liabilities.

(iii) Compulsory liquidation

Compulsory Liquidation, usually referred to as Winding-Up, is the process to wind up an insolvent company through the courts.

Insolvent, what does this mean?

S123 IA 1986 sets out the definition of Insolvency:- Creditor(s) are owed more than 750 and have either served a 21 day demand which has not been met or judgment has been given or it is proved to the satisfaction of the Court that the company cannot pay its debts as they fall due or the companys liabilities exceed its assets including contingent liabilities.

WHEN CAN A COMPULSORY LIQUIDATION OCCUR?

Compulsory Liquidation Winding-up is a court procedure usually initiated by a creditor of the company when all other debt collection procedures have failed. When a company is insolvent and fails to pay its debts, creditors can take steps to wind up the company by issuing a petition to Court. The procedure can also be used by the directors and shareholders of an insolvent company. There are other parties who can petition including the Secretary of State, the Official Receiver and a Supervisor of a Company Voluntary Arrangement.

If you feel that liquidation is the most appropriate debt solution for your Company, pick up the phone and give us a call on 08000 842 844

You could be guilty of wrongful trading without realising it if you are, you could become personally liable for the debts of your Company

If youre a Director of a Limited Company & you have Corporate debts the first thing to appreciate is that you must separate your personal debts from your Corporate debts.

Limited Companies are separate legal entities with their own contractual capacity. When you enter into financial agreements as a Limited Company the debts are the liability of your Company & not you personally (unless you signed personal guarantees or youre found guilty of wrongful or fraudulent trading).

There are various Corporate debt solutions, including;

1. Administration

Company Administration is designed to protect companies from their creditors while a restructuring plan is developed. Click Here For More

2. Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA)

There is legislation that enables a company to make a private arrangement with all its unsecured creditors. The CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement) procedure was introduced by the Insolvency Act 1986 IA86 and is simply a formal mechanism which permits a company, which has debt problems, to reach a compromise with its creditors on the repayment of its debt. Click Here For More

3. Administrative receivership

Administrative Receivership is a procedure that can only be instigated by a secured creditor with a valid floating charge over the assets of the company. This is usually the companys bank. Click Here For More

4. Liquidation; There are 3 types of liquidation

(i) Members Voluntary Liquidation

A Members Voluntary Liquidation MVL is a voluntary procedure to wind up the affairs of a solvent company.

(ii) Creditors Voluntary liquidation

Creditors Voluntary Liquidation CVL is the process where the directors of an insolvent company can voluntarily take steps to wind up the company. The directors call meetings of the companys shareholders and creditors to consider resolutions to wind up the company and to appoint a liquidator.

(iii) Compulsory liquidation

Compulsory Liquidation, usually referred to as Winding-Up, is the process to wind up an insolvent company through the courts. Click Here For More

5. Business Rescue / Turnaround

Turnaround involves the restructure of a financially challenged company with or without the use of a formal insolvency procedure. This is only relevant for companies that have a viable business that can, if freed from debt, trade profitably. Click Here For More

6. Pre-Pack Administration

If your business is facing huge problems and legal threats, there is a powerful, legal way of selling the business on to a third party, a newco or to the existing directors. This is called pre pack administration sale. Click Here For More

As with personal debt solutions, selecting the right Insolvency practitioners is just as important as selecting the right solution. If you need help with your corporate debts and youre not sure which debt solution is right for you, give us a call on 08000 842 844 now.