What every investor needs to understand about corporate banruptcy-part 3
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What every investor needs to understand about corporate banruptcy-part 3 by Securities and Exchange Commission
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What every investor needs to understand about corporate banruptcy-part 3-

What is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Some companies are so far in debt or have other problems so serious that they can't continue their business operations. They are likely to "liquidate" and file under Chapter 7. Their assets are sold for cash by a court appointed trustee. Administrative and legal expenses are paid first, and the remainder goes to creditors. Secured creditors will have their collateral returned to them. If the value of the collateral is not sufficient to repay them in full, they will be grouped with other unsecured creditors for the rest of their claim. Bondholders, and other unsecured creditors, will be notified of the Chapter 7, and should file a claim in case there's money left for them to receive a payment.

Stockholders do not have to be notified of the Chapter 7 case because they generally don't receive anything in return for their investment. But, in the unlikely event that creditors are paid in full, stockholders will be notified and given an opportunity to file claims.

Does My Stock or Bond Have Any Value?

Usually, the stock of a Chapter 7 company is worthless and you have lost the money you invested.

If you hold a bond, you might only receive a fraction of its face value. It will depend on the amount of assets available for distribution and where your debt ranks in the priority list on the first page. If your bond is secured by collateral, your payment will depend in large part on the value of the collateral.

Where Can I Find More Information?

The Company. - Contact the investor relations department in the company's home office. They can give you more information on the bankruptcy proceeding, including the name, address, and phone number of the court handling the bankruptcy.

Your Broker. - If you can't find information in the newspaper or the library, or you haven't received any correspondence from the company, call the person who sold you the investment.

The SEC. - Companies file regular reports with the SEC in a computer database known as EDGAR. For example, a company declaring bankruptcy will file a form 8-K that tells where the case is pending and which chapter of bankruptcy was filed. You can access EDGAR through your computer at: http://www.sec.gov If you don't have access to a computer, your public library may have a computer you can use. You can also request a copy of Form 8-K, or any other reports that the company files with the SEC, from the SEC's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102, (202) 551-8090 (e-mail: publicinfo@sec.gov). Or, you can visit the Public Reference Room in Washington. You might also be able to get copies of SEC filings from your full-service stockbroker, or the company itself.

Bankruptcy Court. - If the company is in Chapter 7, and has not filed reports with the SEC, or you need more information, the bankruptcy court itself is another source. This court is usually located where the company has its main place of business or where the company is incorporated. (There is at least one bankruptcy court in each state and the District of Columbia.) Once you know a company's main place of business or state of incorporation, you can obtain the address and phone number of the bankruptcy court for that region by visiting the website of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts or by calling (202) 502-1900. Court addresses and phone numbers are also listed in the publication, The American Bench, which you can find at your local library. In addition, you'll find links to U.S. Bankruptcy Court websites at http://www.uscourts.gov/bankruptcycourts.html.

U.S. Trustee at the Department of Justice. - The U.S. Trustee has broad administrative responsibilities in bankruptcy cases. Check the U.S. Trustee's website, your local telephone book, or the public library for the field office closest to you, and contact them for information on the status of the bankruptcy.

A Securities or Bankruptcy Attorney. - You may want to talk to an attorney, especially if you believe that the debtor defrauded you and you want to know your legal options. If you suspect fraud, you should also report it to the SEC or your state securities regulator.

For a more detailed discussion of different types of bankruptcy, please read Bankruptcy Basics, which the Bankruptcy Division of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts produced to assist the public in understanding bankruptcy.

http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/bankrupt.htm

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