Insight

April business bankruptcy filings drop in April from a year ago despite COVID-19

April business bankruptcy filings drop in April from a year ago despite COVID-19

Roy D. Oppenheim

Roy D. Oppenheim

May 14, 2020 09:24 AM

While bankruptcies in March rose 18% from a year earlier, April filings did not see a surge due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Florida-based attorney who specializes in foreclosures and bankrupticies said businesses that may be in trouble are currently taking a wait and see approach.

The Associated Press reported that business bankruptcies jumped in March. However, in April there was a drop in commercial bankruptcy filings year over year, according to MarketWatch. Commercial bankruptcy filings in April numbered 2,278 which was a 35% drop from a year ago.

Roy Oppenheim, of Fort Lauderdale-based Oppenheim Law, said he is not seeing an increase in bankruptcy filings but has fielded calls from clients inquiring about the process. He described the current climate as "it's a lot like a deer in headlights right now."

"People aren't filing right now and they are scratching their heads figuring out what to do," Oppenheim said.

Oppenheim said that unlike the last foreclosure crisis, this is not just an economic crisis but a public health crisis. He said unemployment will certainly rise even higher than the current 14.7 percent rate. While banks received bailouts during the last crisis, the administration this time "acted quickly and instead of giving bailouts to banks, businesses received them."

He said many clients are waiting to see if they receive relief funds from the U.S. Small Business Adminstration’s Paycheck Protection Program or the Economic Industry Disaster Loan program.

Oppenheim believes “there will be a purge” and foreclosures will occur at the retail and residential level, but he doesn’t see that happening for a year and certainly not before the election.

“There won’t be major foreclosures or dispositions before the election,” said Oppenheim.

He said there will be a major deflationary cycle where the cost of everything will go down. Rents, for the mom and pop businesses, may also have to be renegotiated lower. For example, if a restaurant could only reopen with 50 percent occupancy, the previous rent the business was paying must be lowered to reflect the new business model.

"Bankruptcy is typically done when you have a gun to your head,” said Oppenheim and he indicated that has not been the case as of yet. Instead, clients "are waiting to see what happens."

Oppenheim said he doesn't see a surge in filings occurring "as long as everyone is holding back and overzealous landlords are not seeking rent from tenants when they have no income."

Unfortunately, some "landlords are facing pressure from their mortgage lenders to pay their mortgages, even when no rental income is being received from their own tenants," said Oppeheim, who added, “of course, in turn, the landlord’s mortgage lender will also have to reassess their situation and work with their landlord’s in changing the payment terms.”

Oppenheim helped thousands of homeowners in foreclosure defend themselves against the banks during the Great Recession. He has been hosting a weekly webinar, called Zoom at Noon every Tuesday to help businesses navigate the pandemic and get back to business and anyone could register.

Oppenheim Law
2500 Weston Rd #404
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33331
954-384-6114
https://www.oppenheimlaw.com

Originally posted at: https://flarecord.com/stories/536487751-april-business-bankruptcy-filings-drop-in-april-from-a-year-ago-despite-covid-19

Related Articles

A Practical Guide for Chapter 7 Practitioners


by Peter W. Hansen

Peter Hansen confronts and debunks common misconceptions surrounding debt repayment, bankruptcy and consolidation propagated by politicians and companies.

Large cracked piggy bank with person putting Band-aids on cracks

The Next Chapter


by Patrick M. Shelby

Among its uncountable other disruptions, the pandemic upended U.S. bankruptcy procedures. Congressional relief, legislative changes, amended legal provisions: What lies ahead for those looking to file?

COVID-19's Impacts on Bankruptcy Procedures

How PLMJ's Unique Structure Shapes Its Insolvency Practice


by Best Lawyers

A leading attorney with the 2019 "Law Firm of the Year" winner for Insolvency and Reorganization Law in Portugal speaks to Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer.

PLMJ "Law Firm of the Year" Interview

The 5 W’s of Bankruptcy Communications


by Eden Gillott

You might be an expert on bankruptcy, but communicating its practical realities to clients can get complicated.

The Who, What, and Why of Bankruptcy

An Interview With Eberhard Braun of Schultze & Braun


by Best Lawyers

The 2019 "Law Firm of the Year" winning firm was recognized in Germany for Restructuring and Insolvency Law.

Eberhard Braun Interview

It Was a Very Bad Year for Retail


by Michelle V. Rafter

While overall business bankruptcies dropped 5.4 percent through Q3, in excess of 300 stores filed for Chapter 7 or 11 in the same period, including big names like Toys “R” Us, Gymboree, and Payless ShoeSource.

Bad Year for Retail

Trending Articles

2025 Best Lawyers Awards Announced: Honoring Outstanding Legal Professionals Across the U.S.


by Jennifer Verta

Introducing the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America and the fifth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Digital map of the United States illuminated by numerous bright lights

Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Awards Canada: Celebrating Legal Excellence


by Jennifer Verta

Presenting the 19th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada and the 4th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada.

Digital map of Canadathis on illuminated by numerous bright lights

Legal Distinction on Display: 15th Edition of The Best Lawyers in France™


by Best Lawyers

The industry’s best lawyers and firms working in France are revealed in the newly released, comprehensive the 15th Edition of The Best Lawyers in France™.

French flag in front of country's outline

Presenting the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Chile, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico


by Jennifer Verta

Celebrating top legal professionals in South America and the Caribbean.

Flags of Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, representing countries featured in the Best Lawyers

Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa


by Jennifer Verta

Best Lawyers celebrates the finest in law, reaffirming its commitment to the global legal community.

Flags of Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa, representing Best Lawyers countries

Announcing the 13th Edition of Best Lawyers Rankings in the United Kingdom


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is proud to announce the newest edition of legal rankings in the United Kingdom, marking the 13th consecutive edition of awards in the country.

British flag in front of country's outline

Prop 36 California 2024: California’s Path to Stricter Sentencing and Criminal Justice Reform


by Jennifer Verta

Explore how Prop 36 could shape California's sentencing laws and justice reform.

Illustrated Hands Breaking Chains Against a Bright Red Background

Announcing the 16th Edition of the Best Lawyers in Germany Rankings


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers announces the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Germany™, featuring a unique set of rankings that highlights Germany's top legal talent.

German flag in front of country's outline

Celebrating Excellence in Law: 11th Edition of Best Lawyers in Italy™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers announces the 11th edition of The Best Lawyers in Italy™, which features an elite list of awards showcasing Italy's current legal talent.

Italian flag in front of country's outline

Tampa Appeals Court ‘Sends Clear Message,” Ensuring School Tax Referendum Stays on Ballot


by Gregory Sirico

Hillsborough County's tax referendum is back on the 2024 ballot, promising $177 million for schools and empowering residents to decide the future of education.

Graduation cap in air surrounded by pencils and money

Find the Best Lawyers for Your Needs


by Jennifer Verta

Discover how Best Lawyers simplifies the attorney search process.

A focused woman with dark hair wearing a green top and beige blazer, working on a tablet in a dimly

Key Developments and Trends in U.S. Commercial Litigation


by Justin Smulison

Whether it's multibillion-dollar water cleanliness verdicts or college athletes vying for the right to compensation, the state of litigation remains strong.

Basketball sits in front of stacks of money

Woman on a Mission


by Rebecca Blackwell

Baker Botts partner and intellectual property chair Christa Brown-Sanford discusses how she juggles work, personal life, being a mentor and leadership duties.

Woman in green dress crossing her arms and posing for headshot

Best Lawyers Celebrates Women in the Law: Ninth Edition


by Alliccia Odeyemi

Released in both print and digital form, Best Lawyers Ninth Edition of Women in the Law features stories of inspiring leadership and timely legal issues.

Lawyer in green dress stands with hands on table and cityscape in background

The Human Cost


by Justin Smulison

2 new EU laws aim to reshape global business by enforcing ethical supply chains, focusing on human rights and sustainability

Worker wearing hat stands in field carrying equipemtn

Beyond the Billables


by Michele M. Jochner

In a recently conducted, comprehensive study, data reveals a plethora of hidden realities that parents working full-time in the legal industry face every day.

Women in business attire pushing stroller takes a phone call