likvidasjonsprioritet

Likvidasjonsprioritet refers to the order in which creditors and shareholders are paid when a company is liquidated. This process is governed by law and aims to ensure a fair distribution of the company's remaining assets.

Typically, secured creditors are at the top of the priority list. These are creditors who hold collateral, such as a mortgage on property or a lien on equipment. They have a legal claim to the specific asset securing their loan, and their claims are usually satisfied before other creditors.

Following secured creditors are preferential creditors. This category often includes employees for unpaid wages and benefits, as well as certain tax authorities for unpaid taxes. While they don't have collateral, the law grants them a higher priority than unsecured creditors.

Next in line are unsecured creditors. This group includes suppliers, trade creditors, and other entities that have lent money or provided services to the company without any collateral. Their recovery depends on the assets remaining after all secured and preferential claims have been met.

Finally, shareholders, who are the owners of the company, are at the bottom of the liquidation priority list. They are considered residual claimants, meaning they only receive any remaining assets after all creditors have been paid in full. In many liquidations, there are insufficient assets to pay all creditors, let alone shareholders, resulting in a total loss for shareholders. The specific order and rights can vary depending on the jurisdiction's insolvency laws.