Personal Guarantees

It has become increasingly common for lenders to require business owners (particularly owners of small and medium-sized businesses) to provide personal guarantees as part of any financial backing. Whilst this is not a new concept, it is something that business owners need to consider when entering into financial transactions and they will often need to seek independent legal advice as a requirement of the lender.

Banking and Finance

Debentures

Corporate Insolvency

Corporate Investment

Our Personal Guarantee Experience

A personal guarantee requires the guarantor to pledge their personal assets against the obligations of the borrower. If the borrower fails to repay the loan on time or breaches any other term of the loan agreement, the lender can seize the personal assets pledged by the guarantor as security for the outstanding debts. Guarantees are usually given by the directors of a company or partners in a firm as they are the officers in control of the day-to-day running of the business, although lenders may sometimes require other individuals to provide guarantees too.

When obtaining bank finance involving security by way of a personal guarantee, lenders will typically require any guarantor to take independent legal advice on the implications and risks of entering into that guarantee and the solicitor providing that advice will usually need to provide a certificate confirming the appropriate advice has been given. Our experienced business law solicitors are able to offer independent legal advice on personal guarantees which is simple and easy to understand, at a competitive price.

Will my personal guarantee automatically end when the loan is repaid?

It will depend on the wording of the guarantee itself but, generally, a personal guarantee will not automatically be released on full repayment of the outstanding balance. Instead, you will need to ask the lender to provide a deed of release, which will be signed by the lender and to formally release you from the guarantee. This is particularly important as most guarantees are “all monies” guarantees and cover future borrowing obligations.

What happens to my personal guarantee if I die?

Personal guarantees are usually worded in such a way that they are binding on your successors, meaning that it will be for your personal representatives to deal with any personal guarantees as part of your estate. It is therefore important that you retain copies of any personal guarantee you enter into, which have not been released, and to let your personal representatives and/or family members know of their existence.

What happens to my personal guarantees if I sell my shares in a company?

It is unlikely that your personal guarantees will automatically be released on the sale of any shares in a company or, indeed, your resignation as a director of that company. As such, it is important to discuss any personal guarantees with one of our business law solicitors as part of any sale of shares or other merger and acquisition transaction so that we can assist you with obtaining a release from your obligations.

“Caroline, Becky and the team acted on our behalf in the management buyout of our shares in our commercial refrigeration and ware washing goods distribution company. It was a complicated transaction under which there were various parties including finance, numerous lawyers, accountants and tax advisers. The team negotiated a fair deal for us and were supportive, explained complex matters in simple jargon-free language and we felt confident in their ability in acting on our behalf. We would like to thank the team at Tinsdills for their hard work, dedication, help and patience throughout the transaction.”

What Our Customers Say

We’ve helped many happy clients with Corporate and Commercial Law cases. Read our testimonials below:

“With all the varied aspects of our business, Caroline Gray was very patient and accommodating to our needs and changes and even more changes. Thank you very much.”

“Having dealt with Tinsdills a few years ago (from the opposite side of the table), Caroline and her team were my first choice when embarking on the next chapter of our business growth. A complicated share/company buyout; the team were always on hand to offer words of advice, illustrating that they ‘had my back’ on every occasion. I would not hesitate to recommend their proposition to any business looking for a first-class legal team, able to present information in a logical and understandable fashion. Thank you to Caroline, Rebekah and the Team.”

Meet Our Specialist Corporate Law Team

Contact Us To Discuss Corporate Law

If you have questions regarding Corporate Law, or wish to discuss your case with our team, we’d be happy to hear from you. Contact your nearest branch today.

Our phone lines are open Mon to Fri: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Tinsdills Solicitors – managing all aspects of Corporate Law across Staffordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire.

Contact us today or visit a
local branch

Hanley: 01782 262031

Newcastle: 01782 612311

Sandbach: 01270 761111

Leek: 01538 399332

Latest News

Read our blog for up-to-date news and updates from Tinsdills Solicitors.