The Ultimate Guide to Negotiating a UCC Lien Release When Selling Your Biz

Selling your business? Don’t let that pesky UCC lien hold you back!

Look, we get it – you’ve poured your blood, sweat, and tears into building this thing from the ground up. And now that it’s time to pass the baton (and cash in on all that hard work), the last thing you need is some UCC lien throwing a wrench in the works.But don’t sweat it, my friend. We’re about to break down the art of negotiating that lien release like a boss. 🤘

What’s a UCC Lien, Anyway?

Before we dive into the negotiation tactics, let’s get on the same page about what we’re dealing with here.A UCC lien (or Uniform Commercial Code lien) is basically a legal claim that a creditor has on your business assets. It’s their way of saying, “You owe us money, so we get dibs on your stuff until you pay up.”Now, these liens can be a real pain when you’re trying to sell your biz. Potential buyers ain’t too keen on inheriting someone else’s debt, ya know? That’s why negotiating a release is crucial.

Prep Work: Get Your Ducks in a Row

Alright, now that we’ve got the lien 101 out of the way, it’s time to get ready for the negotiation showdown. Here’s what you need to do:

Gather Your Paperwork

You’re gonna need to have all your financial records and loan documents on hand. This includes:

Loan agreements
UCC financing statements
Payment history
Collateral details
And anything else that’s relevant to the lien

Having this info at your fingertips will make you look like a total pro during negotiations.<h3>Know Your Numbers</h3> Crunch those numbers, baby! You need to have a solid grasp on:

The outstanding loan balance
Interest rates and fees
Remaining collateral value

This way, you can counter with accurate figures and avoid getting lowballed.

Understand the Lien’s Priority

Not all liens are created equal. Some have higher priority than others, which can impact your negotiation strategy. For example:

Purchase-money liens usually take priority
Tax liens can trump other secured debts
The order in which liens were filed matters

Knowing where your lien stands in the pecking order will help you negotiate from a position of strength.

Time to Negotiate: Let’s Make a Deal!

You’ve done your homework, and now it’s time to step into the ring. Here are some tips for negotiating that lien release like a champ:

Start High, But Stay Reasonable

Don’t lowball your opening offer – that just makes you look desperate. But you also don’t want to insult the lender with an unrealistic number.A good rule of thumb? Offer 60-70% of the outstanding balance. This shows you’re serious about settling, but still leaves room to negotiate.

Leverage Your Leverage

Remember, the lender wants to get paid – even if it’s not the full amount. Use that to your advantage by highlighting things like:

Your solid payment history
The lien’s lower priority status
Potential issues with enforcing the lien

Basically, you want to make a case for why accepting a discounted payoff is in their best interest.<h3>Explore Alternative Deals</h3> If the lender is being stubborn about a full release, don’t be afraid to get creative. Some options to consider:

Partial release: They release some collateral in exchange for a payoff
Subordination agreement: They take a back seat to the buyer’s new lender
Lease/leaseback deal: You “sell” the assets to the lender, then lease them back

The key is finding a solution that works for both parties.

Know When to Walk Away

At the end of the day, you have to protect your interests. If the lender is being completely unreasonable, be prepared to walk away from the negotiation table.After all, a failed business sale is better than getting stuck with a crappy deal that haunts you down the road.

Seal the Deal: Paperwork and Precautions

Alright, you’ve negotiated your heart out and reached an agreement. High fives all around! But before you pop the champagne, there are a few loose ends to tie up:

Get It in Writing

You’ll want to get that lien release agreement in writing, spelling out all the nitty-gritty details. This includes:

The negotiated payoff amount
Payment deadlines and instructions
A clear description of the collateral being released
Signatures from all relevant parties

Don’t settle for a vague, handshake deal. Covering your bases now can save you major headaches later.

Conduct a UCC Lien Search

Once the release paperwork is signed, you’ll want to conduct a UCC lien search to make sure that pesky lien is actually removed from your assets.Mistakes happen, and you don’t want to go through all this trouble only to have the lien resurface down the road. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, folks.

Consult Your Friendly Neighborhood Lawyer

Look, negotiating lien releases is tricky business. There are all sorts of legal implications and tax consequences to consider.That’s why it’s always a good idea to have an experienced business attorney review everything before you sign on the dotted line. They can make sure you’re not accidentally opening a big ol’ can of worms.

Bonus Tips for a Smoother Process

Before we wrap things up, here are a few extra nuggets of wisdom to make your lien release negotiation go as smoothly as possible:

Start early: Don’t wait until the 11th hour to tackle this. The sooner you begin negotiations, the better.
Choose your battles: If there are multiple liens, prioritize negotiating the biggest ones first.
Stay organized: Lien paperwork can get messy fast. Use a system (digital or physical) to keep everything straight.
Be patient: These negotiations can drag on. Don’t get flustered – stay focused and persistent.
Hire professionals: If all this seems overwhelming, consider enlisting experts (attorneys, financial advisors, etc.) to handle it for you.

You Got This! Now Get Out There and Negotiate

There you have it, folks – everything you need to know about negotiating that UCC lien release when selling your business.Was it a lot to take in? Sure. But we believe in you! Just remember to:

Do your research
Know your leverage
Explore creative solutions
Get everything in writing
And lean on professionals when needed

With some preparation and negotiation savvy, you’ll be lien-free and selling that biz in no time. Now get out there and show ’em who’s boss!

FAQs About UCC Lien Releases

How much should I expect to pay for a lien release?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but most experts recommend opening negotiations by offering 60-70% of the outstanding balance. From there, it’s a matter of leveraging your position to get the best possible deal.

Do I have to pay off the entire loan to get a lien release?

Nope! That’s the beauty of negotiating. With some savvy tactics, you may be able to settle the debt for a discounted payoff amount and get that lien released.

What if the lender refuses to negotiate?

If the creditor is being completely unreasonable, you may have to explore other options like:

Filing a lien release bond
Disputing the lien’s validity in court
Or even walking away from the sale

Having an experienced attorney on your side can help navigate these trickier scenarios.

How long does a UCC lien release negotiation typically take?

There’s no set timeline, but these negotiations can easily drag on for weeks or even months. The more prepared and persistent you are, the smoother (and faster) the process will likely go.

Can I negotiate multiple liens at once?

Absolutely! In fact, it’s often wise to prioritize negotiating the biggest liens first. Just be sure to keep everything organized and tackle them one by one if needed.

Lien Release Negotiation Checklist

To keep you on track, here’s a handy checklist to reference during your lien release negotiations:

Example Lien Release Negotiation Scenarios

To give you an idea of how these negotiations might play out, let’s look at a couple example scenarios:

Scenario 1: The Motivated Lender

You owe $80,000 on an equipment loan
The lender’s collateral is now only worth $50,000
You open with an offer of $55,000 to release the lien
The lender counters at $65,000
After some back-and-forth, you ultimately settle on $60,000

In this situation, the lender was motivated to accept a discounted payoff since the debt exceeded the remaining collateral value. Some savvy negotiating on your part saved $20,000! <h3>Scenario 2: The Stubborn Lender</h3>

You owe $150,000 on a commercial mortgage
The property is worth $500,000, so they have plenty of collateral
You offer $100,000 for a lien release
The lender demands full repayment of $150,000
After multiple counteroffers, no deal is reached

Here, the lender had no incentive to accept a discounted payoff since they were well-secured by the collateral’s high value. In cases like these, other options (lien bond, court order, etc.) may be required.The moral of the story? Come prepared, know your leverage, and don’t be afraid to walk away from an unreasonable deal.<h2>Additional Lien Release Resources</h2> Need some extra support during this process? Here are some handy resources to check out:

Don’t be shy about tapping into these resources and any others that can help you navigate the lien release process like a pro.

The Bottom Line

Negotiating a UCC lien release is no walk in the park, but it’s a crucial step in successfully selling your business. By doing your homework, knowing your leverage, and exploring creative solutions, you can reach a deal that works for all parties involved.

Struggling with business debt?

There's hope. Delancey Street.

our team can help you restructure your debt

Escape Debt

Join Our Program

How to Negotiate a Release of a UCC Lien When Selling Your Business