N
The Daily Insight Hub

Can personal creditors seize business assets?

Author

Sarah Martinez

Updated on February 19, 2026

The sole proprietorship is not a separate entity from it’s owner. As a result, every asset of the owner can be seized by business creditors. And, every business asset can be seized by the owner’s personal creditors.

Can you be personally liable in an LLC?

If you form an LLC, you will remain personally liable for any wrongdoing you commit during the course of your LLC business. For example, LLC owners can be held personally liable if they: personally and directly injure someone during the course of business due to their negligence.

Can an LLC take on debt?

If you are an owner of a corporation or LLC, you are a separate entity from the business, and the business isn’t responsible for your personal debts. But while creditors generally can’t take your business assets to pay your personal debts, they can take funds your business owes you.

Can you hide money in a LLC?

Hiding cash and other business assets is illegal. Such conduct amounts to perjury and willful nondisclosure. Misleading the court invites a contempt of court ruling. Probate judges will punish the business owner spouse who conceals money.

When does a LLC protect your personal assets?

There’s also no protection if a creditor can show you intentionally cheated or defrauded him. An LLC doesn’t protect your personal assets from personal debts, but it does protect your business assets. If a creditor sues you over a personal debt, for instance, the company’s assets should be out of his reach.

Who is liable for debts of a LLC?

As such, the corporation or LLC sets up contracts, owns assets, and is liable for its business debts. If either the LLC or corporation cannot pay its debts, creditors usually only go after the company’s assets and not the owners’ personal assets.

Can a LLC protect you from a lawsuit?

Even a single individual can form an LLC to protect her assets. As the name suggests, an LLC limits your personal liability for the company’s debts. A lawsuit can seize your LLC’s bank accounts and assets, but not your personal property.

Can a LLC have its own bank account?

If you run a one-person LLC, for instance, it should have its own bank account. If, instead, you pay the bills and deposit the profits in your personal account, a court could decide your company is just a sole proprietorship with no liability protection.