title: "New Jersey Chapter 7 Bankruptcy - Slim Packet v3"
state: "NJ" | price: "$97" | updated: "2026-03-30"
New Jersey Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Packet
Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.
⚠️ NJ UPL WARNING: NJ has strict unauthorized practice rules. These are templates only.
ELIGIBILITY
Residency: Lived in NJ for 91 of the last 180 days (or majority of last 180 days).
Means Test (11 U.S.C. § 707(b)): Household income vs. NJ median:
| Household | NJ Median (2026) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $79,284 |
| 2 people | $97,598 |
| 3 people | $119,238 |
| 4 people | $142,582 |
| 5+ | Add $9,900/person |
Below median = qualify. Above median = complete full Form 122A-2 means test.
Other requirements:
- [ ] No Chapter 7 in last 8 years; no Chapter 13 in last 6 years
- [ ] No case dismissed in last 180 days for cause
- [ ] Completed credit counseling within 180 days (get certificate)
Debts discharged: credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, payday loans, old utilities, repossession deficiencies
NOT discharged: student loans (most), recent taxes (3 yrs), child support/alimony, fraud debts, criminal restitution
Use federal exemptions — NJ has not opted out (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)). Federal exemptions are significantly more generous than NJ state exemptions.
| Federal Exemption | Amount |
|---|---|
| Homestead | $27,900 |
| Motor vehicle | $4,450 |
| Household goods (total) | $14,875 |
| Tools of trade | $2,825 |
| Wildcard | $1,475 + up to $13,950 unused homestead |
| Wages | 75% earned but unpaid |
| Retirement accounts | 100% |
Key statutes: Eligibility 11 U.S.C. § 109 · Means test § 707(b) · Automatic stay § 362 · Exemptions § 522 · Discharge § 727 · Non-dischargeable § 523
File at: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of NJ
- Newark: 50 Walnut St · (973) 645-2600 · Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren
- Camden: 401 Market St 2nd Fl · (856) 757-5000 · Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem
- Trenton: 402 E State St Rm 2020 · (609) 989-2100 · Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Union
- Fee: $338 · Fee waiver: Form 103B (income < 150% poverty) · Installments: Form 103A
- njb.uscourts.gov
REQUIRED FORMS
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 101 – Voluntary Petition | Starts case |
| 106A/B – Schedule A/B | All property you own |
| 106C – Schedule C | Exemptions you claim |
| 106D – Schedule D | Secured debts (mortgage, car) |
| 106E/F – Schedule E/F | Unsecured debts |
| 106G – Schedule G | Leases/contracts |
| 106H – Schedule H | Co-debtors |
| 106I – Schedule I | Current monthly income |
| 106J – Schedule J | Monthly expenses |
| 106Dec – Declaration | Sign under penalty of perjury |
| 106Sum – Summary | Summary of all schedules |
| 107 – Statement of Financial Affairs | Recent financial history |
| 122A-1 – Current Monthly Income | Means test part 1 |
| 122A-2 – Means Test Calculation | Required if above median |
| Form 423 – Credit Counseling Cert. | Pre-filing course |
| Statement of Intention | Keep or surrender secured property |
Get all forms: uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms
FILING STEPS
60-90 days before filing:
- Credit counseling (required). Find approved agency: justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/cc\_approved.htm. Complete 60-90 min course. Get Form 423 certificate (valid 180 days).
- Gather documents: 7 months pay stubs · 2-3 yrs tax returns · 6 months bank statements · all debt statements · vehicle titles, mortgage statements · retirement account statements.
Filing:
- Complete means test. Calculate 6-month average income. If above NJ median, complete Form 122A-2.
- Complete all forms (101, all 106 schedules, 107, 122A-1, and 122A-2 if needed).
- File at correct courthouse for your counties. Pay $338 fee or submit fee waiver/installment application. Get case number.
- Send to trustee within 14 days: last 2 yrs tax returns, pay stubs from 60 days before filing, any additional docs requested.
After filing:
- 341 Meeting (~30 days after filing). NOT a court hearing — meeting with trustee. Bring: photo ID, original Social Security card, proof of address, bank statements, pay stub, vehicle registration. Lasts ~5-10 min.
- Debtor education course (different from pre-filing course). Complete within 60 days of 341 meeting. Find approved provider: justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/de\_approved.htm. File Form 423.
- Discharge (~60-90 days after 341 meeting). Court mails discharge order. Keep it — proof debts wiped.
- After discharge: Check credit report (discharged debts should show $0). Rebuild slowly. Cannot file Chapter 7 again for 8 years.
Automatic stay (11 U.S.C. § 362) — filing immediately stops foreclosure, repossession, wage garnishment, collection calls, lawsuits, utility shutoffs.
FILING CHECKLIST
- [ ] Residency confirmed (91 of last 180 days in NJ)
- [ ] Credit counseling certificate obtained (Form 423)
- [ ] Means test completed
- [ ] All schedules (Forms 101, 106A/B–H, Dec, Sum) completed
- [ ] Statement of Financial Affairs (Form 107) completed
- [ ] Mailing matrix (creditor address list) prepared
- [ ] Filed with correct NJ courthouse; fee paid or waiver filed
- [ ] Documents sent to trustee within 14 days
- [ ] 341 Meeting attended with required ID
- [ ] Debtor education completed; certificate filed within 60 days of 341
LEGAL AID
- Legal Services of NJ (statewide): lsnjlaw.org · (888) 576-5529
- South Jersey Legal Services: sjlslaw.org · (856) 963-2900
- NJ State Bar Lawyer Referral: njsba.com · (732) 249-5000
- NJ Bankruptcy Court Self-Help: njb.uscourts.gov/self-help
*Not legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. Templates are jurisdiction-correct.
Filing bankruptcy incorrectly can result in denial of discharge or criminal charges. For legal advice, contact a licensed NJ attorney. jurist-diction.com*