Business Bankruptcy in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Local counsel for owners and managers in St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Protect value, stabilize cash flow, and choose the right path forward.
Local, VI Licensed
St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix
25+ Years Experience
Bankruptcy and distressed debt
Confidential Consult
Clear options in one call
Compare your options
Chapter 11
- Keep operating while we restructure leases and debt.
- Stabilize cash flow and address vendor balances.
- Plan confirmation sets a clear path forward.
Subchapter V
- Streamlined Chapter 11 for qualifying small businesses.
- Lower cost and faster timelines.
- Owners can retain control during reorganization.
Chapter 7
- Orderly wind down when closing is the best outcome.
- Resolve remaining liabilities with a clean finish.
- We guide you through every step of the process.
When should a business consider bankruptcy
If short-term fixes keep failing, if creditor pressure risks payroll or essential vendors, or if long-term contracts and leases are no longer workable, it is time to model a court-supervised strategy. We will evaluate liabilities, executory contracts, leases, personal guarantees, tax exposure, and prospects for continued operations.
Chapter 11 reorganization, built for ongoing operations
Chapter 11 lets a company keep operating under the protection of the automatic stay while proposing a plan that restructures debt into sustainable payments. Typical levers include rejecting burdensome leases, curing arrears on essential contracts, restructuring secured loans, and negotiating treatment with key vendors. For qualifying small businesses, Subchapter V streamlines the process with faster timelines and lower administrative cost.
Not sure where to start? We’ll outline practical options in your first meeting.
Request a Free ConsultationWhat you can expect with our firm
- A 13-week cash flow and feasibility review, vendor and lease triage, and a practical plan outline within the first weeks.
- Direct access to counsel for landlord talks, lender forbearance discussions, and plan negotiations.
- Clear timelines, filing milestones, and communication with owners and key employees.
See client feedback on our testimonials page.
Chapter 7 business liquidation, when winding down is the best outcome
If operations are no longer viable, Chapter 7 provides an orderly shutdown. A trustee gathers and sells assets and distributes proceeds to creditors. Owners of corporations and LLCs may limit future exposure tied to the entity’s debts, while focusing on their next venture. We prepare owners for records turnover and post-closing issues so there are no surprises.
Out-of-court alternatives
Not every business needs a bankruptcy case. We frequently negotiate standstill agreements, payment workouts, forbearances, and structured asset sales to avoid filings. When appropriate, we also consider state law options and coordinated wind-downs that minimize disruption to customers and staff.
Sole proprietors and personal guarantees
If you operate as a sole proprietor, or if you signed personal guarantees, we may pair a business strategy with a personal Chapter 13 or Chapter 7. This consolidates pressure into a single plan, protects essential assets, and brings a faster path to stability. Cross-chapter coordination is part of our first meeting.
Attorney Profile
Work directly with Robert A. Pohl
- More than two decades guiding clients through bankruptcy, tax, and financial matters.
- Admitted in the Virgin Islands with local knowledge of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix courts.
- Clear plans, plain language, and transparent fees.
Phone: 340-203-3333
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Chapter 11 let me keep operating while I catch up on rent and vendor balances?
Yes, Chapter 11 allows operations to continue under court protection while you propose a plan that restructures leases and debts.
What is Subchapter V and do I qualify?
Subchapter V is a streamlined Chapter 11 option for qualifying small businesses that can reduce cost and accelerate plan confirmation.
Can I use Chapter 11 to renegotiate or exit an expensive lease?
Chapter 11 lets you assume, assume and cure, or reject leases, subject to court approval and plan terms.
What happens to my business equipment, inventory, and receivables in Chapter 7?
A trustee collects and sells non-exempt business assets and distributes proceeds to creditors according to priority rules.
I signed personal guarantees, what happens to me if the business files?
We evaluate personal exposure and often pair a business strategy with a personal Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 to manage guarantees.
Get clarity in one conversation. Request a free, confidential consultation and receive a plan outline tailored to your business within days.
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