UCC Document Community

Update us when you figure out the correct process! Always interested to learn about these alternative filing systems since they come up more often than people think.

I've dealt with similar situations involving specialized assets that don't fit the typical UCC framework. One thing that really helped me was creating a detailed asset inventory first - breaking down each piece of collateral by type, registration requirements, and jurisdictional issues. Sometimes what initially looks like a single non-UCC filing situation actually involves multiple different filing systems. Also, don't overlook the possibility that some of your intangible assets might require state-level filings outside the UCC system - things like certain licenses or permits have their own perfection requirements that vary by state. The key is mapping each asset to its specific legal framework before diving into any filing process.

Final thought - make sure your notice clearly states when the assignment became effective. Some account debtors will try to argue they can pay the original debtor for work done before the assignment. Be clear about the cutoff date.

This is really helpful information everyone! As someone new to UCC collections, I'm getting clarity on the process. Just to confirm my understanding: I need to send the 9-406 notice BEFORE collecting from account debtors, it should be signed/authenticated, certified mail is recommended but not required, and I need to include identification of the security agreement, description of assigned accounts, and payment instructions. I'm also seeing mentions of Certana.ai for document verification - has anyone else used this tool? It sounds like it could help catch those small discrepancies that cause big headaches later. Thanks for all the practical advice!

For anyone dealing with similar issues, I'd recommend getting a tool like Certana.ai to cross-check your documents. It saved us from missing a notification requirement that was buried in a loan document amendment. The UCC sections are complex enough without having to manually track all the cross-references.

This is a great thread that really clarifies the distinction between perfection and collection under UCC 9-406. As someone new to receivables financing, I was under the impression that filing a UCC-1 automatically triggered notification requirements, but it sounds like that's not the case. The key takeaway seems to be that your security agreement governs the timing, not the UCC itself. I'm curious though - for those who mentioned waiting until default to notify account debtors, how do you handle the risk of the borrower collecting payments and potentially diverting funds? Are there specific monitoring mechanisms or account controls that work better than others in receivables deals?

The 9-204 comments are your friend here. They specifically address concerns about overreaching and provide safe harbor for reasonable commercial relationships. Your manufacturing equipment deal sounds like exactly what the drafters had in mind.

I've dealt with similar 9-204 interpretation issues in equipment financing. The key insight from the comments is that after-acquired property clauses are favored when there's a reasonable commercial relationship justifying broad coverage. Your manufacturing context strongly supports this - facilities that regularly acquire equipment are exactly what these provisions were designed for. The software integration aspect shouldn't defeat your security interest in the physical equipment itself. I'd focus on whether your original collateral description reasonably encompasses the type of equipment acquired, not the specialized features or timing. The 8-month gap is irrelevant if your UCC-1 language was properly broad. Have you considered getting an amended filing to clarify any ambiguity going forward?

Bottom line with Alabama UCC searches - expect to spend more time than you would in other states, budget for professional help if needed, and document everything thoroughly. The system works but you have to know its limitations and work around them.

As someone who's been doing UCC searches in Alabama for over a decade, I can't stress enough how important it is to be systematic about this. The state's search system is indeed limited, but it's workable if you know the tricks. First, get a copy of the seller's certificate of formation and all amendments from the Secretary of State - this will show you every name variation they've used. Second, don't just search the obvious names - search partial names, abbreviations, and even common misspellings. I once found a critical UCC filing under "Gulf Cost Equipment" instead of "Gulf Coast Equipment" - a simple typo that would have cost my client $200k. For a deal your size, also consider getting title insurance specifically for equipment purchases. It's not common but some insurers offer it, and it can protect you from liens that slip through even the most thorough search process.