Insolvency · Restructuring
Insolvency lawyers in Hannover, Germany
In a crisis every day counts. We advise managing directors, shareholders and creditors on restructuring, filing obligations and liability, and against avoidance claims by insolvency administrators.
Staying in control when things get tight
Payment difficulties often build up slowly and then become acute. For managing directors of German companies, strict deadlines then apply – missing them can trigger personal liability and criminal risk.
We advise management early on their duties, assess illiquidity and over-indebtedness and show routes to restructuring – out of court, under the German StaRUG framework or in self-administration together with specialist restructuring advisers. We also represent creditors, including foreign suppliers and licensors of German insolvent companies.
Our insolvency services
Typical cases from our practice
What mandates in this area often look like – from the first call to the solution.
Director in a liquidity crisis
Situation: A GmbH can only partly pay due supplier invoices; the director asks whether he must file.
Our approach: Together with the tax adviser we prepare a liquidity status, assess illiquidity and show restructuring options or the route to filing within the statutory deadlines.
Clawback of payments
Situation: Two years after supplying an insolvent customer, a supplier is asked to repay all payments of the last months.
Our approach: We examine the conditions for avoidance, in particular knowledge and cash transactions, and negotiate a significantly reduced settlement.
Licensor becomes insolvent
Situation: A company uses software whose vendor is insolvent and fears losing access and updates.
Our approach: We review the administrator’s options, negotiate continuation or transfer of the licence and secure source code access via escrow.
Note: These examples are anonymised, typical scenarios. They do not describe specific mandates and do not promise any outcome – every case is assessed individually.
Four steps to a solution
Your contacts
Depending on the matter, we combine attorneys and – where technology is involved – patent attorneys in one team. All our lawyers advise in English.
Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M.Attorney · Certified Specialist in IP Law · Certified Specialist in Copyright & Media Law
Andreas FriedleinAttorney
Stefan KarfusehrAttorney
Detailed profiles are available in German.
Frequently asked questions
When must an insolvency petition be filed in Germany?
In case of illiquidity no later than three weeks, in case of over-indebtedness no later than six weeks after the reason for insolvency arises.
Am I personally liable as managing director?
Possibly – for payments made after insolvency, unpaid social security contributions and taxes, and for delayed filing.
Can the administrator reclaim payments I received?
Under certain conditions yes; depending on the ground, look-back periods can extend to four or even ten years.
Your lawyer for Insolvency Law in Germany
Tell us about your matter. We usually reply within one business day – faster where deadlines apply.
Georgstrasse 48 · 30159 Hannover · Germany
Phone +49 511 35 73 56-0
Email hannover@fachanwalt-hannover.com
Mon–Thu 8:00–17:30 · Fri 8:00–17:00 (CET) · Video meetings available