Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Attorney in Encino

Over 7,500 Cases Filed. Trusted Chapter 11 Counsel in the San Fernando Valley.

At RHM LAW LLP, we’ve spent more than 20 years helping businesses and individuals in Encino restructure debt and move forward. Our team understands both federal bankruptcy law and California-specific regulations, which means we can build a strategy tailored to your situation rather than a generic template. Whether you’re a small business owner trying to keep the doors open or an individual carrying debt beyond the Chapter 13 limits, Chapter 11 may provide a path to reorganize, and we can help you navigate it.

We offer 30-minute complimentary consultations by phone or online, available the same day you reach out.

Don’t wait to get answers. Call (213) 344-0043 or contact us online to schedule your 30-minute complimentary consultation. Se habla Español.

What Chapter 11 Can Do for Your Business

Chapter 11 is a reorganization bankruptcy. It can allow you to restructure your debts while keeping your business operating. Unlike Chapter 7, which stops operations and liquidates assets, Chapter 11 can provide time and legal protections that may support renegotiation of leases, supplier agreements, and other obligations.

Our role is to conduct a thorough analysis of your business’s financial picture: assets, liabilities, cash flow, and contract obligations. From there, we develop a capital restructuring strategy focused on preserving business value, improving liquidity, and building a reorganization plan designed for court review. We address what’s urgent now while keeping your long-term stability in view.

Why Encino Businesses & Individuals Choose RHM LAW LLP

Experience matters in Chapter 11. These cases are complex, the procedural requirements are demanding, and the stakes are high. Here’s what we bring to every engagement:

• Chapter 11 Case Experience: We report filing at least 150 Chapter 11 matters during the past six years and confirming more than 97 of those matters.
• Certified Bankruptcy Specialists: Our partners are Certified Bankruptcy Specialists through the California Bar Association Board of Legal Specialization.
• Transparent Communication: Regular case updates help you stay informed at every stage.
• Central District Familiarity: We have experience with filings across all five divisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California.

Chapter 11 cases filed by Encino residents and businesses are handled through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. Local judge practices, procedural expectations, and reporting requirements shape how cases move, and our team brings that court-specific knowledge to every client.

The Chapter 11 Process: What to Expect

We start with a detailed review of your current financial position to review available paths. Understanding the relationship between your assets, liabilities, and obligations lets us build a strategy aligned with your goals and suited to the Central District’s procedures.

Filing, the Automatic Stay, & Debtor-in-Possession Status

Once we’ve assessed your financial picture, we prepare the required filings and work toward a reorganization plan outlining how your debts will be managed over time. When you file, an automatic stay generally takes effect, halting many collections, lawsuits, and foreclosure actions while restructuring proceeds, subject to statutory exceptions and court orders. During this period, you typically remain in control of your operations as a debtor-in-possession.

Court Representation & Creditor Meetings

We represent you in court proceedings and provide guidance for the 341(a) Meeting of Creditors, leveraging our familiarity with local judges and procedural expectations. When it’s time to present the reorganization plan, we advocate for a structure that is both feasible and sustainable. Our goal throughout is to work to keep the process moving efficiently and keep you focused on rebuilding rather than on courtroom procedure.

Ready to take the next step? Call (213) 344-0043 or use our online form to connect with an experienced Chapter 11 bankruptcy attorney today.

Choosing a Chapter 11 Path for Your Situation

A Chapter 11 bankruptcy lawyer reviews the following before recommending a path:

• Entity type
• Debt composition
• Business goals
• Assets
• Creditor pressure
• Ability to support a feasible plan

We evaluate whether standard Chapter 11, Subchapter V, Chapter 13, Chapter 7, or a non-bankruptcy alternative better fits the circumstances.

For a business, the central question is often whether reorganization can support continued operations while addressing obligations. For an individual, Chapter 11 may be worth considering when debt or asset circumstances make Chapter 13 bankruptcy unavailable or unsuitable, but eligibility and plan requirements require a case-specific review.

Subchapter V: A Streamlined Chapter 11 Path for Small Businesses in Encino

Not every Chapter 11 case follows the same track. Small business owners in Encino may qualify for Subchapter V, a streamlined reorganization path created by the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 and effective since February 2020.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, a business must be engaged in commercial or business activity with at least 50% of total noncontingent liquidated debt arising from business activities. Aggregate noncontingent liquidated debt must not exceed $3,424,000. This is the current inflation-adjusted cap, effective April 1, 2025. Single-asset real estate debtors are subject to special statutory provisions and should not be treated as ordinary Subchapter V matters. Businesses whose debt exceeds this threshold may need to proceed under standard Chapter 11 instead. Eligibility requirements and debt limits can change.

How Subchapter V Differs from Standard Chapter 11

Subchapter V can simplify several procedural layers that make standard Chapter 11 more demanding for smaller businesses:

• No Creditor Committee: A creditor committee is generally not appointed.
• Simplified Disclosure Requirements: A separate disclosure statement generally isn’t required.
• Debtor-Only Plan Filing: Only the debtor may file a reorganization plan, which must generally be submitted within 90 days of the petition date.
• Plan Confirmation Rules: A debtor may seek confirmation without creditor consent in circumstances allowed by the Bankruptcy Code, subject to statutory and court requirements.
• Repayment Period: The plan commonly addresses a three-to-five-year period for projected disposable income or its equivalent.
• Trustee Assigned: A Subchapter V trustee is automatically appointed to facilitate the process and provide oversight without taking control of debtor assets.

If your business carries meaningful debt but hasn’t reached the $3,424,000 cap, Subchapter V may offer a streamlined route compared with standard Chapter 11. Contact our office to ask whether your business qualifies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Work?

Cases filed by Encino residents and businesses go through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. The U.S. Trustee for Region 16 conducts the 341(a) Meeting of Creditors. The debtor-in-possession files a reorganization plan subject to court approval, and California-specific local rules and judge practices govern how the case proceeds.

What Are the Risks of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy?

Chapter 11 can involve prolonged proceedings, high administrative costs, and difficult creditor negotiations. If the court doesn’t approve the reorganization plan, conversion to Chapter 7 liquidation is a real possibility. At RHM LAW LLP, we address these risks through proactive case management: timely filings, strategic negotiations, and clear communication at every stage to help you prepare for case developments.

Can Individuals File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy?

Yes. Individuals whose debt exceeds Chapter 13 limits may use Chapter 11 to reorganize personal finances, including real estate holdings and unsecured debt. The process can involve a reorganization plan under court supervision and a repayment structure based on the circumstances. We tailor our approach to address your assets and obligations.

Take the First Step Toward Financial Stability

If your business or personal finances have reached a breaking point, Chapter 11 may offer the restructuring path you need. At RHM LAW LLP, we can review your financial information, discuss Chapter 11 eligibility and other available paths, and identify immediate issues involving creditor pressure or operations.

Call (213) 344-0043 or reach out online to schedule your 30-minute complimentary consultation. Same-day and video appointments are available in English, Spanish, and Farsi.