Debtor In Possession
While individuals are not precluded from using chapter 11, it is more typically used to reorganize a business, which may be a corporation, sole proprietorship, or partnership. A corporation exists separately and apart from its owners, the stockholders. The chapter 11 bankruptcy case of a corporation does not put the personal assets of the stockholders at risk, although they may lose the value of their investment in the company’s stock. A sole proprietorship, on the other hand, does not have an identity separate and distinct from its owner(s); accordingly, a bankruptcy case involving a sole proprietorship includes both the business and personal estates of the owners-debtors. Like a corporation, a partnership exists separately and apart from its partners; however the partners’ personal assets may, in some cases, be used to pay creditors in the bankruptcy case; or the partners may, be forced to file for bankruptcy protection.

Section 1107 of the Code places the debtor in possession in the position of a fiduciary, with the rights and powers of a chapter 11 trustee, and requires the performance of all but the investigative functions and duties of a trustee. Such powers and duties include accounting for property, examining and objecting to claims, and filing informational reports as required by the court and the United States trustee, such as monthly operating reports. The debtor in possession also has many of the other powers and duties of a trustee including the right, with the court’s approval, to employ attorney’s, accountants, appraisers, auctioneers, or other professional persons. Other responsibilities include filing tax returns and filing such reports as are necessary or as the court orders after confirmation such as a final accounting. The United States trustee is responsible for monitoring the debtor in possession’s compliance with the reporting requirements.

The debtor in possession also has many of the other powers and duties of a trustee including the right, with the court’s approval, to employ attorneys, accountants, appraisers, auctioneers, or other professional persons. As soon as is practicable, the debtor in possession must either file a plan or a report explaining why a plan will not be filed, or recommend that the case be converted to another chapter or dismissed.