Understanding Affiliate (Bankruptcy): Key Legal Insights

Definition & Meaning

In the context of bankruptcy, the term "affiliate" refers to entities or individuals that have a significant ownership or control relationship with a debtor. Specifically, it includes:

  • An entity that owns, controls, or holds the power to vote at least twenty percent of the debtor's voting securities.
  • A corporation where twenty percent or more of its voting securities are owned or controlled by the debtor or another affiliate.
  • A person whose business is operated under a lease or agreement with the debtor.
  • An entity that operates the debtor's business or property under a lease or agreement.

Table of content

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

Example 1: A corporation, ABC Corp, owns twenty-five percent of the voting shares of a debtor company, XYZ LLC. In this case, ABC Corp is considered an affiliate of XYZ LLC.

Example 2: A person who leases a commercial property to a debtor and operates their business from that location may also be classified as an affiliate due to their operational relationship (hypothetical example).

Comparison with related terms

Term Definition Key Differences
Debtor A person or entity that owes money to creditors. Affiliates may have ownership stakes or operational ties, while debtors are primarily defined by their financial obligations.
Creditor A person or entity to whom money is owed. Affiliates may influence the debtor's financial decisions, whereas creditors are primarily concerned with repayment.

What to do if this term applies to you

If you believe you may be classified as an affiliate in a bankruptcy case, consider the following steps:

  • Review your ownership or control of the debtor's securities.
  • Consult with a legal professional to understand your rights and obligations.
  • Explore US Legal Forms for templates that may assist in documenting your relationship with the debtor.

Quick facts

  • Ownership Threshold: 20 percent or more of voting securities.
  • Legal Context: Bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Potential Implications: Influence over debtor's financial decisions.

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

A person or entity that owns or controls at least twenty percent of a debtor's voting securities or has a significant operational relationship with the debtor qualifies as an affiliate.