Fort Lee is a borough in Bergen County at the western approach to the George Washington Bridge. It is a major residential community with a large Korean-American population and views of the Manhattan skyline.
New Jersey uses federal bankruptcy exemptions exclusively -- one of the few states in the nation that does so. Federal exemptions under 11 U.S.C. section 522(d) apply: Homestead: $27,900. Vehicle: $4,450. Jewelry: $1,875. Tools of trade: $2,800. Wildcard: $1,475 plus up to $13,950 of unused homestead. Household goods: $700 per item, $14,875 total. Retirement accounts: fully exempt.
Exemptions determine what property you can keep in bankruptcy. See the full exemptions guide.
These organizations may offer free or low-cost assistance. Contact them directly to verify current services and eligibility requirements.
Fort Lee residents file in the District of New Jersey at 50 Walnut St, Newark, NJ 07102. The drive is approximately 25-30 minutes south. Despite being adjacent to the George Washington Bridge, Fort Lee is in New Jersey's federal court system.
Many attorneys in the Fort Lee area serve the Korean-American community and offer services in Korean. The court provides interpreter services for 341 meetings. Legal Services of New Jersey can help connect you with multilingual assistance.
The federal homestead exemption of $27,900 per debtor applies to condos the same as houses. It protects your equity (market value minus mortgage balance). For Fort Lee condos with significant equity, Chapter 13 may be preferable to keep your unit while repaying debts.
Use the free 1328(f) screener to check whether a prior discharge affects your eligibility.
Free Discharge Screener