How to Liquidate a Company With No Money

Liquidating a company is a complex process, and it becomes even more challenging when the company has no money. 

This process often involves a range of legal and financial steps that need to be navigated carefully.

This blog post will help you understand the options available to you when it comes to liquidating a company with no money in the UK.

Can You Liquidate a Company for Free in the UK?

You can’t liquidate a company for free in the UK.

Liquidation is a complex process that often requires professional assistance, usually from a licensed insolvency practitioner (IP).

An IP’s fees can be substantial, varying depending on the size and complexity of the company’s financial situation.

However, in some cases, it might be possible to offset some of the costs.

For example, if the company still has some assets left, these can be sold to cover the IP’s fees.

Alternatively, creditors might agree to cover these fees, especially if it ensures a better return for them.

But it’s important to note that these scenarios are more of the exception than the rule.

Another way to minimise the costs of liquidation could be via a pre-pack administration.

This is a process where the company’s assets are sold to a new company before the old one is liquidated.

The proceeds of the sale are then used to pay off the creditors.

This route can be less expensive than a formal liquidation, but it requires careful planning and professional advice to ensure it’s conducted legally and ethically.

Related Post: Company Liquidation Costs

What Happens if a Company Has No Money to Pay for Liquidation?

If a company doesn’t have enough funds to cover the costs of liquidation, the situation can become quite complex.

In most cases, the directors or shareholders of the company are not personally liable for these costs but may end up having to finance the process.

However, there are circumstances where the directors or shareholders could become personally liable.

This can happen if they are found to have traded while knowingly insolvent or have committed wrongful or fraudulent trading.

In situations where the company can’t afford the liquidation process, and no other funds can be raised, the company may end up being struck off the register by Companies House.

This is known as dissolution, and while it’s less costly than liquidation, it doesn’t provide the same level of protection against claims from creditors.

Related Post: What is the Cheapest Way to Liquidate a Limited Company?

Who Has to Pay Liquidator’s Fees?

In a typical liquidation, the liquidator’s fees are paid from the assets of the company being liquidated.

This can include cash, property, and other assets.

The liquidator will usually sell these assets and use the proceeds to cover their fees.

If the company has no assets, it becomes more complicated.

In such cases, the creditors might agree to pay the liquidator’s fees, particularly if the liquidator can recover more funds for them.

Alternatively, the directors or shareholders might agree to pay the fees,

It’s worth noting that while directors and shareholders are generally not personally liable for a company’s debts, they can be made personally liable in certain circumstances. 

These include instances of wrongful or fraudulent trading, or if they’ve provided personal guarantees.

Can the Sale of Assets be Used to Pay for Liquidation?

Yes, the sale of a company’s assets is typically the primary way to pay for a liquidation.

This includes tangible assets such as property and equipment, as well as intangible assets like intellectual property rights.

The liquidator will usually organise an auction or sale to dispose of these assets, with the proceeds used to pay their fees and the company’s creditors.

This process is overseen by the court to ensure it’s carried out fairly and legally.

However, if the company’s assets are not sufficient to cover the costs of the liquidation, other methods may need to be explored.

These can include seeking contributions from the directors or shareholders, or getting the creditors to agree to cover the costs.

Related Post: How Do You Liquidate Your Company

Can Debts be Used to Pay for Liquidation?

Theoretically, it’s possible to use the company’s debts to pay for a liquidation.

However, this would generally require the agreement of the creditors and would depend on the specific circumstances of the company and its debts.

In some cases, creditors might agree to cover the costs of the liquidation in the hopes of recovering more of their money.

This is often the case when the company has substantial assets that can be sold to repay the debts.

However, this would typically require negotiations with the creditors and professional advice to ensure it’s carried out correctly.

Another possible scenario is a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), where the company agrees with its creditors to repay some, or all, of its debts over a certain period.

This can sometimes include an agreement to cover the costs of a liquidation, although this is less common.

Related Post: Liquidate a Company For Free

Which is Cheaper, Company Dissolution or Liquidation?

Dissolution is generally cheaper than liquidation because it involves fewer steps and doesn’t require the appointment of an IP.

However, it’s also less thorough and doesn’t provide the same level of protection against future claims from creditors.

In a dissolution, the company is simply struck off the Companies House register and ceases to exist.

There’s no formal investigation into the company’s affairs, and the directors are not released from their duties within the process as they would be in liquidation.

On the other hand, a liquidation involves a thorough investigation into the company’s affairs and provides a legal discharge for the directors.

However, it can be more costly due to the IP’s fees and the court costs involved.

Related Post: How Long to Liquidate a Ltd Company?

What is Director Redundancy Pay? Are You Entitled to It?

Director redundancy pay is a statutory payment that directors might be entitled to when their company goes into liquidation.

However, there are specific criteria that must be met.

Firstly, the director must be an employee of the company and have been working for it for at least two years.

They also need to have been working a minimum number of hours per week.

If these conditions are met, the director could be entitled to redundancy pay, along with other statutory entitlements like unpaid wages, holiday pay, and notice pay.

The amounts for these payments are set by law and are subject to maximum limits.

It’s worth noting that while director redundancy pay can provide a financial lifeline during a liquidation, it’s not intended to be a way to cover the costs of the liquidation itself.

Final Notes On How to Liquidate a Company With No Money

Liquidating a company with no money is undoubtedly a challenging situation.

However, there are options available to help navigate this process.

Whether it’s selling the company’s assets, getting the creditors to cover the costs, or even considering a pre-pack administration, it’s essential to seek professional advice to ensure the best outcome.

Remember, the goal of liquidation is not only to settle the company’s debts but also to protect the directors and shareholders from future liability.

So, while it may seem daunting, with the right advice and support, it can be a valuable step in resolving a company’s financial difficulties.

Please note that this is intended to provide general information and not legal advice.

If you’re in a situation where you need to liquidate a company with no money, it’s strongly recommended that you seek professional advice from an experienced insolvency practitioner or advisor.

Do You Need to Close Your Limited Company?

Don’t let the stress of liquidating your company weigh you down.

Here at Marchford, we specialise in helping companies navigate the closure process smoothly and efficiently.

Our team of experts have years of experience and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in limited company closures.

If your company is facing financial difficulties, or if you’re considering liquidation, contact us today.

We can provide you with the advice, guidance, and professional services needed to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.

Contact Marchford Today and take the first step towards a clearer, easier path for your business closure.