WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CREDIT COUNSELING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT COURSES? ARE THEY MANDATORY AND IF SO, WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THEM?
All individual debtors must obtain credit counseling BEFORE filing for bankruptcy. Click here to access a list of approved credit counselors.
To be eligible for a discharge, all individual debtors must attend a Financial Management Course WHILE THE CASE IS PENDING. Click here to access a list of approved Financial Management Courses.
WHO GETS A COPY OF MY DISCHARGE?
All creditors and parties in interest in your case will receive a copy of the discharge. You may obtain a list of recipients using the methods of accessing case information indicated below.
WHAT DEBTS WILL BE DISCHARGED?
Please click here for Discharge in Bankruptcy - Bankruptcy Basics.
HOW DO I GET TO THE FIRST MEETING OF CREDITORS?
If the Meeting is being conducted at one of our courthouses and you need directions, click here. Use the links below for directions to other locations:
MUST I ATTEND THE MEETING OF CREDITORS?
Yes, debtors must attend the Meeting of Creditors. This meeting is also referred to as the First Meeting, First Meeting of Creditors or the Section 341(a) Meeting. It is conducted by the trustee and may be held at a location other than the courthouse.
DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY TO FILE BANKRUPTCY?
While it is possible to file a bankruptcy case pro se, that is, without the assistance of an attorney, it is extremely difficult to do so successfully. Hiring a competent attorney is highly recommended. If you are unable to afford an attorney, you may qualify for free legal advice or representation. For more information regarding these services, please click here for a Schedule of Legal Resources. The Court and members of the Clerk's Office staff cannot recommend a lawyer.
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY THE FEE?
Individual debtors may request permission from the Court to pay the filing fee in installments. Payments may be made in no more than four (4) installment payments and the final installment must be made within 120 days after the filing of the petition. If the debtor fails to pay any installment when due the case may be dismissed. Click here for an Application and Order to Pay in Installments.
Chapter 7 debtors who meet certain requirements may request that the court waive the filing fee. Click here for an Application for Waiver of the Chapter 7 Filing Fee.
WHAT IS THE FILING FEE AND MAY I PAY THE FILING FEE IN CASH?
The fee to file a bankruptcy petition varies depending upon the chapter filed. For a list of current filing fees click here. Filing fees may not be paid in cash. They must be paid in the form of business or attorney check, money order or certified check. Payments may also be made online. Click here for more information.
HOW DO I GET TO THE COURT?
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey has three locations. Click on the following links for directions to each Courthouse.
PLEASE NOTE THAT 341(A) MEETINGS ARE CONDUCTED BY A TRUSTEE AND MAY BE HELD IN LOCATIONS OTHER THAN THE COURTHOUSE.
HOW DO I CONTACT THE COURT?
Please click here for the Staff Directory which includes the street and mailing address of each Clerk's Office. NOTE: Judges cannot be reached by direct telephone lines. If you have a question or comment for one of our judges, please contact a member of their staff or write to them at the appropriate address.
WHERE SHOULD I FILE MY PETITION?
All documents relating to a bankruptcy case, including the petition, must be filed at the clerk's office located in the vicinage in which the debtor resides (if the debtor is an individual), or in which the debtor has its principal place of business. The Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey is divided by county into three vicinages: Camden, Trenton and Newark.
Please click here for the breakdown for where to file by county.
WHAT CHAPTER SHOULD I FILE?
There are six basic types of bankruptcy cases. For descriptions of each chapter click here. The staff of the Clerk's Office is prohibited by law from providing legal advice.
WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED TO FILE BANKRUPTCY? WHERE CAN I GET THE DOCUMENTS?
To determine what documents are required when filing a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition, please click here for the Checklist of Documents Required at Time of Filing.
All Official Bankruptcy Forms are available for download here.
Also, please click here for Bankruptcy Basics information.