Which type of debt is paid first in a bankruptcy liquidation process?

In a bankruptcy liquidation process, secured claims are prioritized as they have a legal right to specific assets of the debtor. This means that creditors who hold secured claims have collateral backing their loans, allowing them to be repaid from the proceeds of the sale of that collateral before any other claims are addressed.

This order is crucial because it reflects the legal structure designed to protect lenders who provided funds based on the understanding that they hold rights to certain assets. Consequently, after secured claims are settled, the distribution of remaining assets would typically follow a specific hierarchy that includes unsecured liabilities and, finally, equity holders, such as common stockholders, who are last in line. This ensures that those who have the most significant legal claim are compensated first, reflecting the risk associated with lending money versus investing in equity.