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    United States · guide for SMEs

    United States: a step-by-step guide for SMEs

    For companies with 30 to 249 staff at their peak that are in a formal insolvency process or have closed. Six steps, in order, from authority to a signed licence.

    Who decidesChapter 7 and Chapter 11 trustees, debtors in possession, receivers and assignees for the benefit of creditors
    This guide30 to 249 staff at their peak
    micro1 timingReview within 30 days, pay within 30 days of invoice
    Cost to youNothing from us

    Read the enterprise guide instead →

    1. 1

      Confirm who can sign

      In bankruptcy, the trustee (or the debtor in possession) sells estate assets, and sales outside the ordinary course need court approval (11 U.S.C. §363). Get the authority in writing before you speak to any buyer.

    2. 2

      Check the company's status

      Court dockets (PACER) show trustee appointments and sale orders; state registries show dissolution. Outside bankruptcy, state law on dissolved corporations decides who can still act for the company and for how long.

    3. 3

      Export the records now

      List the tools the company used, then export from each one while access still works. Check the records are in English.

    4. 4

      Take people out

      If the company's privacy policy restricted transfers of personal information, the court may appoint a consumer privacy ombudsman before a sale (11 U.S.C. §§332, 363(b)(1)). Employee and HR records are usually left out entirely.

    5. 5

      Run the fit check, then apply

      micro1 lists companies that are no longer operating, with 30+ peak employees and English records, in ten countries including United States company.micro1.ai/get-started · 15 Nov 2026. Our fit check takes two minutes.

    6. 6

      Review, take advice, sign or walk away

      micro1 says it reviews and approves the data within 30 days, then pays within 30 days of invoice. In bankruptcy, a sale outside the ordinary course needs court approval. Take advice on the contract; you can stop at any point before signing.

    Tips for SMEs

    • Act within weeks. Software subscriptions lapse after closure and exports disappear with them.
    • One person usually knew every system. Get their help with exports before they move on.
    • Keep it simple: one export per system, one adviser, one decision.
    • Ask the former IT provider or MSP for admin access and a list of tools in use.

    Common pitfalls

    • Outside bankruptcy, state law on dissolved corporations decides who can still act for the company and for how long.
    • Sending a sample before a contract covers handling and confidentiality.
    • Leaving employee or customer personal data in the export.

    General information, not legal advice. Full United States rights guide →

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    Built for SMEs in United States.

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