If I have a share in a company that goes bankrupt will my credit score be affected?

I own a small percentage of a company. They have informed me that they will be filing for bankruptcy in the coming months. I was just curious if their bankruptcy will affect my credit in anyway.
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Answered By: The Law Office of Darren Aronow, PC
No, the corporation will show the bankruptcy not you personally.

Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 1/3/2012

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Indianapolis Bankruptcy Law Office of Eric C. Lewis
No, your shares in a bankruptcy company has nothing to do with your credit.

Answer Applies to: Indiana
Replied: 1/2/2012

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: The Law Office of Jill Rose Quinn
No, it won't affect your credit.

Answer Applies to: Illinois
Replied: 1/2/2012

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Mazyar Hedayat and Associates
The direct answer is "No, your credit score will not be affected" but the longer-term, less direct answer is "Yes, it easily could be." If you merely own stock in a company, its financial troubles do not mean that you have or will have trouble paying your own debts. But your credit score, your livelihood, and your family, could easily be affected if the company in question was owned primarily or entirely by you or your nominees - including family members, friends, etc. To discuss the ramifications of this situation more fully, speak with an Attorney knowledgeable in both bankruptcy and corporate law.

Answer Applies to: Illinois
Replied: 1/2/2012

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Lakelaw - Loop Bankruptcy
No impact whatever.

Answer Applies to: Illinois
Replied: 1/1/2012

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Neighborhood Law Office, P.C.
It depends and there is not enough information for me to give you a complete answer. The answer depends in part on the type of entity that was formed, and if it was an LLC, how it elected to pay its taxes. The answer also depends on whether you have personally guaranteed any of the company's debt, vendor services, lease, etc. If the company is a common law partnership, then you could be liable to all the creditors personally. In some instances an LLC can be penetrated in Bankruptcy to go after assets that the trustee believes are actually business assets. There is seldom any liability if the entity is actually a corporation. Your best bet is to find an attorney familiar with business issues in bankruptcy (most are not), and have a consultation. In fact, there is usually a much better way to deal with a failing company than to file bankruptcy. Company bankruptcies are usually the most expensive way to wind up a business.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 12/30/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: J.M. Cook, P.A.
It should not. However, if you have personally guaranteed the loans, you can be held responsible for the balance.

Answer Applies to: North Carolina
Replied: 12/30/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Janet A. Lawson Bankruptcy Attorney
It will if you are responsible for any of the debt.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 12/30/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Simon Goldenberg, PLLC
In general, business accounts will not appear on a personal credit report unless you personally guaranteed repayment on the account. If this is the case, then the bankruptcy notation may appear on your report in relation to that particular account. Otherwise, the business bankruptcy should not affect your personal credit score under these circumstances.

Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 12/30/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Ryan Legal Services, Inc.
You will be affected if you personally signed for any corporate debts, or if you personally guaranteed any corporate debts. Also, if another shareholder of a closely held corporation files bankruptcy after transferring assets or funds of the corporation to you personally, then you may be summoned to appear in the bankruptcy case to account for those funds, and be subject to a judgment for turnover.

Answer Applies to: Ohio
Replied: 12/30/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Michael Johnson
If you have personal guarantee then it may

Answer Applies to: Florida
Replied: 12/29/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Ashman Law Office
It will not unless you cosigned or guaranteed their debts.

Answer Applies to: Georgia
Replied: 12/29/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: The Stockman Law Office
It depends on the type of a share.

Answer Applies to: Florida
Replied: 12/29/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Grace Law Offices of John F Geraghty Jr.
Not unless you are a major shareholder.

Answer Applies to: Georgia
Replied: 12/29/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Harkess and Salter, LLC
No, not in any way.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 12/29/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Diefer Law Group, P.C.
If it is a corporation, it should not affect your credit.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 12/29/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: The Schreiber Law Firm
Not unless you are personally obligated to pay any of the debts of the company.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 12/29/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Offices of Michael J. Berger
No. That will not affect your credit score.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 12/29/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of David P. Farrell
No, your credit as a shareholder in a company that files bankruptcy will not be adversely affected.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 12/29/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

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