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The Role of the Subchapter V Trustee
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL Since the passage of the Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA) in 2019, Subchapter V has transformed how small business bankruptcies are handled across the country, and particularly here in Florida. A central feature of this Subchapter V is the Subchapter V trustee : a court appointed person who helps streamline cases, mediate disputes, and ensure that the debtor’s reorganization st

Melissa A. Youngman
8 hours ago4 min read


Equipment Loans, Leases, and Insolvency: What Florida Small Businesses Need to Know
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL For many Florida small businesses , equipment is the backbone of daily operations. Whether it’s restaurant ovens, manufacturing machinery, medical devices, or construction vehicles, these assets make running your business possible. But when income falls and payments on equipment finance agreements or leases become unmanageable, business owners are often unsure what rights and options the

Melissa A. Youngman
3 days ago4 min read


Merchant Cash Advances and Bankruptcy: What Florida Business Owners Need to Know
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL For many small business owners, merchant cash advances (MCAs) promise fast, flexible funding when traditional loans aren’t available. But what begins as much needed short term relief often turns into long-term financial distress. With high fees, daily withdrawals, and confusing terms, MCAs can trap business owners in a cycle of debt that becomes nearly impossible to escape. When that hap

Melissa A. Youngman
4 days ago4 min read


Struggling Franchisees and Bankruptcy: What Florida Business Owners Need to Know
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Orlando Franchise and Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL Franchising offers entrepreneurs a proven business model and brand support but it also comes with fixed costs, royalties, and strict operating rules. When revenue dips or debt grows, many franchisees find themselves trapped between their obligations to the franchisor and their lenders. For franchise owners in financial distress, Chapter 11 bankruptcy or its streamlined alt

Melissa A. Youngman
5 days ago3 min read


Restaurants, Retailers, and Service Businesses: Using Subchapter V to Reorganize
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL Running a small business has always been challenging, but for restaurants, retailers, and service providers, recent years have tested even the most resilient owners. Rising food costs, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and higher rents have all pushed cash flow to the breaking point. For Florida businesses facing mounting debt, Subchapter V of Chapter 11 offers a streamlined and

Melissa A. Youngman
6 days ago4 min read


Single Asset Real Estate Cases in Chapter 11
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL When a real estate investment or development project runs into financial trouble, Chapter 11 bankruptcy can provide a powerful tool for restructuring debt and protecting the property. But when that case involves just one piece of real property, such as an apartment complex, hotel, or commercial building, it’s classified as a Single Asset Real Estate (SARE) case by the Bankruptcy Code. S

Melissa A. Youngman
Nov 34 min read


Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Small Business Reorganization
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL Filing for Chapter 11 or Subchapter V (which is a more streamlined version of Chapter 11 for small to midsize businesses) can be one of the smartest moves a struggling small business makes, but only if it’s done right. While bankruptcy reorganization offers a path to stability and renewal, many business owners run into preventable issues that delay or even derail their case. In Florida,

Melissa A. Youngman
Nov 13 min read


Creating a Feasible Reorganization Plan
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL When a business files under Chapter 11 or Subchapter V , the reorganization plan becomes the heart of the case. It’s more than paperwork — it’s a roadmap for recovery. Courts, creditors, and the U.S. Trustee all judge your case based on whether your reorganization plan is feasible , fair and equitable , and supported by credible financial evidence. In short, this document determines wh

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 313 min read


🏛️ Florida Dynasty Trusts in 2025: How Wealthy Families Keep Wealth Working for Generations
The Quiet Power of a Dynasty Trust For many affluent families in Winter Park, Maitland, and greater Orlando, building wealth has been the easy part, preserving it for future generations is the real challenge. A Florida dynasty trust offers one of the most powerful tools to do just that: a legal structure designed to keep wealth working long after you’re gone. Unlike traditional trusts that expire after a set number of years, Florida law allows certain trusts to continue for

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 303 min read


The Critical First 90 Days in Subchapter V: How to Stay on Track
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL When a business files a case under Subchapter V of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code , the first 90 days are of critical importance. Unlike a traditional Chapter 11 case, Subchapter V moves on a compressed bankruptcy timeline . Within three months, debtors must attend an Initial Debtor Interview (IDI) and Section 341 Meeting of Creditors with the Office of the U.S. Trustee, prepare and f

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 304 min read


Selecting the Right Chapter 11 Strategy for Your Business
Selecting the Right Chapter 11 Strategy for Your Business By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL When financial pressure mounts, Chapter 11 bankruptcy can offer a solution to restructure debt while keeping the business doors open. It allows your business to reorganize debt, protect your assets, and keep operations running. But not all Chapter 11 cases are the same. Choosing the right Chapter 11 strategy means understanding

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 294 min read


Preparing Chapter 11 Petition & Schedules: What Documents Your Attorney Will Need
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL Filing for Chapter 11 can give a business the breathing room it needs to reorganize debt and stabilize operations. But before a case even begins, the success of the filing depends on one thing: preparation . Many business owners underestimate the amount of information required to file a complete Chapter 11 petition and schedules, or how quickly that information must be gathered prior to

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 284 min read


Key Statutory and Practical Differences Between Chapter 11 and Subchapter V That Business Owners May Overlook
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney – Winter Park, FL When a business starts to struggle financially, Chapter 11 bankruptcy offers a path to stability and recovery. But since 2019, Subchapter V , a newer form of Chapter 11, has reshaped how small and mid-sized business owners can utilize reorganization to save their operations. Both share the same foundation in federal bankruptcy law, but the statutory and practical differences between th

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 274 min read


Chapter 11 vs Subchapter V: Timelines, Costs, and Debtor Control
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Florida Bankruptcy Attorney, Winter Park, FL When a business faces financial pressure (like slow cash flow, creditor lawsuits, or mounting debt), Chapter 11 bankruptcy often comes up as a potential solution in the conversation. It’s the most well-known path to reorganization, helping businesses restructure and regain stability. But since 2019, a new version of Chapter 11 called Subchapter V has changed how small businesses utilize

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 263 min read


Subchapter V Eligibility: 2025 Debt Limits, Business Use Tests & Trends
By Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Business Bankruptcy Attorneys - Winter Park, Florida If your Florida business is struggling with debt but you’re not ready to close your doors, Subchapter V of Chapter 11 can help restructure debt while keeping the doors open. Subchapter V is a type of Chapter 11 case that was created to make reorganization faster and less expensive for small to medium size business owners. But before filing, it’s essential to understand whether y

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 253 min read


Chapter 11 and Subchapter V: Key Differences Business Owners Should Know
By: Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs Admin Helping businesses reorganize since 2002 Traditionally, Chapter 11 bankruptcy has been the primary restructuring vehicle for financially distressed companies. It allows businesses to pause creditor actions, restructure debt, and stay open. But traditional Chapter 11 can be time consuming and expensive, often too heavy a lift for smaller business operations. That’s where Subchapter V comes in for Florida businesses. Designed specif

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 243 min read


What Every Business Owner Should Know Before Filing Chapter 11
When your business faces financial headwinds, Chapter 11 (or Subchapter V, a streamlined version of Chapter 11 for small to mid size businesses) can serve as a lifeline, a way to regroup, reorganize, and rise again. Before you take that step, it’s critical to understand what Chapter 11 actually is, and what it isn’t. At Winter Park Estate Plans & ReOrgs , our experienced Chapter 11 Bankruptcy attorney, Melissa Youngman, guides business owners through these crossroads every da

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 234 min read


7 Financial Red Flags Florida Business Owners Should Never Ignore
Running a Business in Florida? Watch for These Financial Warning Signs Operating a business in Florida comes with unique financial challenges, from seasonal fluctuations to fast moving market shifts. Melissa Youngman, our Florida Chapter 11 and Subchapter V bankruptcy attorney , has seen too many companies forced out of business because they waited too long to seek help when red flags were obvious in their financial statements. Whether you run a construction firm in Orlando,

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 223 min read


Essential Insights for Florida Business Owners on Filing Chapter 11 or Subchapter V Bankruptcy
Facing financial troubles can feel overwhelming for business owners. Chapter 11 or Subchapter V (a streamlined version of Chapter 11) bankruptcy may offer a path forward that allows a business to reorganize debt and keep operating. Before pursuing this path, it is essential to understand the Chapter 11 process, including its purpose, timeline, challenges, and the benefits of expert guidance from experienced Chapter 11 attorneys like our Chapter 11 attorney, Melissa Youngman.

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 216 min read


FEMA Opens Disaster Recovery Centers in Orange and Osceola Counties
The state of Florida and FEMA have recently opened two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to assist residents in Orange and Osceola County...

Melissa A. Youngman
Oct 12, 20222 min read
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