Does a person have to be engaged in business to qualify for Chapter 11 relief?
A person does not have to be engaged in business in the traditional sense to obtain Chapter 11 relief. A consumer is legally eligible to file under Chapter 11. As a practical matter, however, the person filing under Chapter 11 must have something to reorganize, rehabilitate, or liquidate before Chapter 11 relief can be granted. A debtor with substantial personal investments or assets may use Chapter 11 to reorganize or liquidate his or her investments or assets, even if he or she is not engaged in business in the traditional use.
