689-304-4690
Your Business Deserves a Fighting Chance. Let Melissa Youngman, Orlando and Winter Park Subchapter V & Chapter 11 Attorney, Help.
Big Law Bankruptcy Experience. Local Knowledge. Personal Attention.
Big-Firm Training. Personal Attention.
Most business bankruptcy attorneys either offer the resources of big law experience or the ability to provide clients one-on-one personal service. Melissa Youngman, Esq. offers both.
Melissa spent decades in Big Law handling complex Chapter 11 reorganizations first in the Southern District of New York and now in all three districts of Florida. She left Big Law in 2016 with a clear purpose: to bring that same level of representation to Central Florida’s businesses.
Today, Melissa Youngman, Esq., the founder and owner of Melissa Youngman PA d/b/a Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrg, is now a partner at Nardella Law representing business owners across Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, and the broader Middle District of Florida in Chapter 11 and Subchapter V reorganizations, out-of-court workouts, and business restructurings and reorganizations. When you hire Melissa at Nardella Law, you work directly with Melissa and will receive one on one personal attention on your case from her.
Chapter 11 & Subchapter V Bankruptcy Services in Central Florida
Chapter 11 Reorganization
For businesses exceeding Subchapter V debt limits or needing full Chapter 11 flexibility. Filing stops collections and lawsuits immediately, and allows businesses to restructure debt, while continuing operations. Melissa Youngman, Esq. has Big Law training and local knowledge to keep your business running towards a fresh start.
23+ Years of Business Bankruptcy Experience | Big-Firm Training. Personal Attention.
| Licensed in the Bankruptcy Courts for the Middle, Southern, and Northern Districts of Florida | Free Initial Consultation: 689-304-4690
Frequently Asked Questions About Chapter 11 & Subchapter V Bankruptcy
Cases in Florida
What is Subchapter V bankruptcy?
Subchapter V is a streamlined Chapter 11 bankruptcy process designed specifically for small to mid-size businesses. Added to the Bankruptcy Code in 2019, Subchapter V allows qualifying businesses to reorganize more quickly and at lower cost than traditional Chapter 11. There is no unsecured creditors' committee, no disclosure statement requirement, and only the debtor may file a reorganization plan. For Central Florida businesses facing financial distress, Subchapter V offers a powerful path to a fresh start while keeping the doors open. There is no absolute priority rule in Subchapter V, making it a very attractive option for businesses that qualify.
How long does a Subchapter V bankruptcy case take?
A Subchapter V case typically moves much faster than traditional Chapter 11. A reorganization plan must be filed within 90 days of the bankruptcy petition. Most cases are confirmed and operative within 3 to 6 months of filing. The repayment plan itself runs 3–5 years, but the business operates normally throughout that period.
What is the debt limit for Subchapter V bankruptcy?
As of 2024, a business must have no more than $3,424,000 in total secured and unsecured debt to qualify for Subchapter V. This limit was temporarily raised during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been adjusted by the Small Business Reorganization Act. If your debt exceeds this threshold, traditional Chapter 11 remains available.
Can I keep my business open during Chapter 11 bankruptcy?
Yes. Chapter 11 and Subchapter V are reorganization bankruptcies, not liquidation proceedings, although it is possible to confirm a plan that proposes the sale of all of a debtor's assets in cases where that would be beneficial. As a debtor-in-possession, you continue operating your business during the case. You keep control of daily operations, retain your employees, serve your customers, and pursue new business, all while restructuring what you owe to creditors under the protection of the automatic stay.
What is the difference between Chapter 11 and Subchapter V?
Traditional Chapter 11 is available to businesses and individuals of any size, but its complexity and cost make it impractical for many small businesses. Subchapter V is a sub-category of Chapter 11 created exclusively for small business debtors. It eliminates the creditors' committee, removes the requirement for a disclosure statement, and lets the court confirm a plan even over creditor objection if it meets the "fair and equitable" standard. For most small and mid-size Central Florida businesses, Subchapter V is the better choice.
Do I need a bankruptcy attorney for Chapter 11 or Subchapter V?
Yes. Chapter 11 and Subchapter V cases are complex federal court proceedings. In Florida, businesses are prohibited from representing themselves and must hire an attorney. An experienced bankruptcy attorney will help you determine whether reorganization is the right strategy, meet court deadlines, negotiate with creditors, and confirm a plan that gives your business a genuine fresh start. Melissa Youngman, PA has represented Central Florida businesses in Chapter 11 and Subchapter V cases for over 23 years.
What is an out-of-court workout?
An out-of-court workout is a private negotiated restructuring between a business and its creditors. No bankruptcy court filing is required. Workouts can include loan modifications, forbearance agreements, debt forgiveness, or a structured payment plan. They are faster, less expensive, and more confidential than a court proceeding. Not every situation calls for bankruptcy; sometimes a well-negotiated workout achieves the same financial relief. Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs evaluates both options for every client and recommends the approach most likely to succeed for your specific circumstances.
Why Choose Melissa Youngman for Your Central Florida Bankruptcy?
Big-Firm Training. Personal Attention.
Melissa spent years honing her restructuring skills at large law firms where complex Chapter 11 cases are the norm, handling multi-creditor negotiations, cash collateral battles, and plan confirmation hearings. She left big law in 2016 not because she wanted to do less, but because she wanted to do more for her clients. With Melissa Youngman, Esq., you get the same sophisticated legal strategy without the Big Law billing rates.
Direct Access to Your Attorney.
When you call, Melissa answers. When you have a question at 10 p.m. before a creditor meeting, you reach your attorney not a paralegal, or a junior associate. Small and mid-size business owners facing bankruptcy are already dealing with enormous stress. Clear, direct communication from the lawyer handling your case is how good outcomes are obtained.
20+ Years Focused on Business Reorganization.
For more than two decades, Melissa has guided Florida businesses through Chapter 11 reorganizations, Subchapter V cases (which did not exist until 2020), out-of-court workouts, and asset sales. That track record means she has seen the mistakes debtors make, the tactics creditors use, and the arguments that move judges in the Middle District of Florida. Experience is not just a credential here. It is the difference between a confirmed plan and a converted or dismissed case.
Local Middle District of Florida Knowledge.
Bankruptcy law is federal, but the practice of bankruptcy is local. Melissa primarily practices before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, with courtrooms in Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Fort Myers. She knows the local rules, the judges' preferences, and the U.S. Trustee's expectations. That local fluency matters at every stage, from first-day motions to plan confirmation.
Honest Assessment. Real Options.
Not every struggling business needs to file bankruptcy, and not every bankruptcy needs to be a Chapter 11. Melissa will tell you the truth about your situation, including when a Subchapter V is a better fit than a full Chapter 11, when an out-of-court workout is faster and cheaper, or when liquidation under Chapter 7 is more realistic than reorganization. You deserve an honest evaluation of all your options, not a one-size-fits-all answer designed to maximize attorney fees.
Bankruptcy Attorney Serving Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland & Central Florida
Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs represents businesses and business owners in Chapter 11 and Subchapter V bankruptcy proceedings before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. Melissa Youngman serves clients throughout the greater Orlando metro area, including Winter Park, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford, Lake Mary, and Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties.
Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Court
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida handles bankruptcy cases filed by businesses and individuals across 35 Florida counties. The Orlando Division serves Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Sumter, Brevard, and Volusia counties. Whether your case is filed in Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, or Fort Myers, Melissa is licensed to represent you throughout the Middle District.
Serving Businesses Throughout Central Florida
If your business is based in Central Florida and you are facing creditor pressure, a cash flow crisis, or the prospect of losing your company, contact Nardella Law for a free consultation with Melissa Youngman, Esq. Melissa represents restaurants, retail businesses, professional practices, construction companies, real estate ventures, and other enterprises navigating financial distress.
Is Your Central Florida Business Facing Financial Crisis? Talk to Melissa Today.
You do not have to navigate this alone. Melissa Youngman has guided Central Florida businesses through Chapter 11 reorganizations, Subchapter V cases, and out-of-court workouts for more than 23 years. The consultation is free. The conversation is confidential. Call 689-304-4690 or use the contact form to schedule your free initial consultation with a Middle District of Florida bankruptcy attorney who will give you a straight answer about your options.
Winter Park and Orlando, Florida | 689-304-4690 | Melissa Youngman, PA | Licensed in the Middle District of Florida. This website is attorney advertising and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed until a written engagement agreement is signed.