Your customer filed for bankruptcy. Where do you start?

Build a reliable case file

Start by matching the debtor's exact legal name to the customer on your invoices. Save the notice and record the court, case number, chapter, and any stated deadlines. A trading name alone may not identify the entity that owes you money.

Separate old and new business

Create a dated account history. Set out invoices, deliveries, credits, security documents, disputed amounts, and payments around the filing date. Keep proposed new orders in a separate folder. Ask counsel which collection and contract actions are restricted and what approvals or protections may be needed before continuing to trade.

Understand the claim process

Official Form B 410 is the federal proof-of-claim form. Its instructions are a useful starting point, but the case notice, court orders, and applicable rules determine what you must do and when. A filing requirement or deadline should not be inferred from a generic article.

Bring focused questions

• Is the claim secured, unsecured, disputed, or potentially entitled to priority?
• Must a proof of claim be filed in this case, and what is the actual deadline?
• Are there contracts, guarantees, or recent payments that need separate analysis?
• Who will monitor new notices and court orders?