Legal Packet

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IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY

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In re: ) Chapter 7

)

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], ) Case No.: _______________

)

Debtor. ) (If known)

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VOLUNTARY PETITION

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1. NAME OF DEBTOR (if individual, enter Last, First, Middle):

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME]

Also known as: [ANY ALIASES OR PRIOR NAMES]

1. ALL OTHER NAMES USED BY THE DEBTOR IN THE LAST 8 YEARS:

[LIST ANY OTHER NAMES, INCLUDING MAIDEN NAME, MARRIED NAME,

TRADE NAMES, OR NICKNAMES USED FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES]

1. ADDRESS:

Mailing Address: [STREET ADDRESS]

[CITY], NJ [ZIP CODE]

Location of Principal Assets (if different): [ADDRESS OR "SAME"]

1. TYPE OF DEBTOR:

[X] Individual (includes Joint Debtors)

[ ] Corporation

[ ] Partnership

[ ] Other: _______________

1. NATURE OF BUSINESS:

[ ] None (Consumer/Personal)

[X] Healthcare

[ ] Retail

[ ] Real Estate

[ ] Other: _______________

1. CHAPTER OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE UNDER WHICH THE PETITION IS FILED:

[X] Chapter 7

1. FILING FEE:

[X] $338.00 filing fee paid with petition

[ ] Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments attached

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EXHIBIT A/B: ASSETS

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1. REAL ESTATE:

[ ] None

Property 1:

• Address: [ADDRESS]
• Type: [SINGLE FAMILY / CONDO / LAND / OTHER]
• Ownership: [FEE SIMPLE / JOINT TENANCY / OTHER]
• Current Value: $[AMOUNT]
• Amount Owed: $[AMOUNT]

1. VEHICLES:

Vehicle 1:

• Year/Make/Model: [YEAR MAKE MODEL]
• Current Value: $[AMOUNT]
• Amount Owed: $[AMOUNT]

1. PERSONAL PROPERTY:

• Cash on hand: $[AMOUNT]
• Checking accounts: $[AMOUNT] — [BANK NAME]
• Savings accounts: $[AMOUNT] — [BANK NAME]
• Household goods and furnishings: $[AMOUNT]
• Clothing: $[AMOUNT]
• Jewelry: $[AMOUNT]
• Retirement accounts (401k, IRA): $[AMOUNT]
• Other: [DESCRIBE]

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EXHIBIT C: LIABILITIES

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1. SECURED CLAIMS:

Creditor 1:

• Name: [CREDITOR NAME]
• Address: [ADDRESS]
• Account Number: [LAST 4 DIGITS]
• Amount Owed: $[AMOUNT]
• Collateral: [PROPERTY SECURING THE DEBT]

1. UNSECURED CLAIMS:

Creditor 1:

• Name: [CREDITOR NAME]
• Address: [ADDRESS]
• Account Number: [LAST 4 DIGITS]
• Amount Owed: $[AMOUNT]
• Type: [CREDIT CARD / MEDICAL / PERSONAL LOAN / OTHER]

[LIST ALL UNSECURED CREDITORS]

1. TOTAL UNSECURED DEBT: $[TOTAL AMOUNT]

TOTAL SECURED DEBT: $[TOTAL AMOUNT]

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EXHIBIT D: SCHEDULE OF INCOME

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1. EMPLOYMENT:

Occupation: [OCCUPATION]

Employer Name: [EMPLOYER NAME]

Employer Address: [ADDRESS]

How long employed: [YEARS/MONTHS]

1. CURRENT MONTHLY INCOME:

• Gross wages/salary: $[AMOUNT]
• Net income after payroll deductions: $[AMOUNT]
• Other income (specify): $[AMOUNT]
• Total monthly income: $[AMOUNT]

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EXHIBIT E: SCHEDULE OF EXPENSES

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1. CURRENT MONTHLY EXPENSES:

• Rent or mortgage: $[AMOUNT]
• Utilities: $[AMOUNT]
• Food: $[AMOUNT]
• Transportation: $[AMOUNT]
• Insurance: $[AMOUNT]
• Medical/dental: $[AMOUNT]
• Clothing: $[AMOUNT]
• Other: $[AMOUNT]
• Total monthly expenses: $[AMOUNT]

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STATEMENT OF INTENTION

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1. INTENTIONS REGARDING SECURED PROPERTY:

[ ] I intend to retain the property and continue payments

[ ] I intend to surrender the property

[ ] I intend to redeem the property

[ ] Not applicable

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MEANS TEST DECLARATION

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1. I declare that I have completed the Chapter 7 Statement of Currently

Monthly Income (Official Form 122A-1) and:

[ ] My current monthly income is less than the applicable median family

income for New Jersey, and I am not required to complete the means

test calculation.

[ ] My current monthly income exceeds the applicable median family income

for New Jersey, and I have completed the means test calculation

(Official Form 122A-2), which shows that I qualify for Chapter 7.

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DECLARATION

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I declare under penalty of perjury that the information provided in this

petition is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and

belief.

Executed on: _______________

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[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME]

Debtor (Signature)

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[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME - PRINTED]

Debtor (Print Name)

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NEW JERSEY BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTIONS

(N.J.S.A. 2A:17-1 et seq.)

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New Jersey allows debtors to choose between New Jersey state exemptions

and federal bankruptcy exemptions (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)). Choose whichever

benefits you more.

NEW JERSEY STATE EXEMPTIONS:

1. HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION:

• New Jersey does NOT have a homestead exemption
• Consider using federal exemptions if you have significant home equity

1. PERSONAL PROPERTY EXEMPTIONS (N.J.S.A. 2A:26-4):

• Household goods and furniture up to $1,000
• Wearing apparel necessary for debtor and family
• Tools of the trade up to $500
• One motor vehicle up to $1,000

1. RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS:

• ERISA-qualified retirement plans
• IRAs and Roth IRAs
• Public employee pensions
• Teachers' and judges' pensions

1. PUBLIC BENEFITS:

• Workers' compensation
• Unemployment compensation
• Social Security benefits
• Veterans' benefits
• Public assistance

1. LIFE INSURANCE:

• Proceeds if beneficiary is surviving spouse or child
• Cash surrender value up to $500

1. OTHER EXEMPTIONS:

• Right to receive alimony, support, or separate maintenance
• Wrongful death or personal injury awards

FEDERAL EXEMPTIONS (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)):

If you choose federal exemptions:

1. HOMESTEAD: Up to $27,900 in real or personal property used as residence
2. VEHICLE: Up to $4,450 in one motor vehicle
3. HOUSEHOLD GOODS: Up to $14,875 total ($700 per item)
4. JEWELRY: Up to $1,875
5. TOOLS OF TRADE: Up to $2,825
6. WILDCARD: Up to $1,475 plus up to $13,950 of unused homestead exemption

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FILING INSTRUCTIONS

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NEW JERSEY BANKRUPTCY COURT:

DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY:

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court
• 50 Walnut Street
• Newark, NJ 07102
• Phone: (973) 645-3200
• Website: http://www.njb.uscourts.gov

Trenton Vicinage:

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court
• 402 East State Street
• Trenton, NJ 08608
• Phone: (609) 989-2100

Camden Vicinage:

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court
• 401 Market Street, 4th Floor
• Camden, NJ 08102
• Phone: (856) 757-5000

FILING FEES:

• Chapter 7 Filing Fee: $338.00
• Credit Counseling Course: ~$15-50
• Debtor Education Course: ~$15-50

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. Voluntary Petition (Official Form 101)
2. Schedules A/B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J
3. Summary of Schedules (Official Form 106Sum)
4. Declaration (Official Form 106Dec)
5. Statement of Financial Affairs (Official Form 107)
6. Chapter 7 Means Test Forms (122A-1, 122A-1Supp, 122A-2 if applicable)
7. Credit Counseling Certificate
8. Pay stubs for 60 days prior to filing
9. Tax returns for most recent year

CREDIT COUNSELING REQUIREMENT:

You must complete an approved credit counseling course within 180 days

BEFORE filing. Approved providers include:

• Debtorcc.org
• Access Counseling
• Money in Motion

DEBTOR EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

You must complete a debtor education course AFTER filing but BEFORE

receiving your discharge.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER

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This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not

constitute legal advice. Bankruptcy law is complex and the consequences of

filing are significant. You should consult with a licensed attorney before

filing for bankruptcy.

New Jersey exemption amounts are subject to change. Verify current exemption

amounts with the New Jersey Statutes or a qualified attorney.

This template does not replace the need to complete all required Official

Bankruptcy Forms, which are available at www.uscourts.gov/forms.