Passaic County is in northern New Jersey and includes Paterson (New Jersey's third-largest city), Clifton, and Wayne. Cases are filed in the Newark Vicinage of the District of New Jersey.
New Jersey state exemptions only. No homestead exemption. Personal property: $1,000. Wages: 90% exempt below 250% poverty. Retirement accounts: fully exempt. Life insurance: exempt. Federal exemptions not available in New Jersey.
Exemptions determine what property you can keep in bankruptcy. See the full exemptions guide.
Passaic County cases are filed in the District of New Jersey, Newark Vicinage, at 50 Walnut St, Newark, NJ 07102. Paterson residents are approximately 20 minutes from the courthouse; Wayne and Clifton residents about 30 minutes.
New Jersey has no homestead exemption, so home equity is at risk in Chapter 7. However, if your home has no equity (you owe more than it is worth), you can keep it in Chapter 7 by staying current on payments. Chapter 13 allows you to keep your home regardless of equity.
Certain debts cannot be eliminated in any bankruptcy, regardless of where you live: most student loans, child support, alimony, most tax debts less than 3 years old, debts from fraud, and DUI-related obligations. These rules are federal and apply equally across all counties.
Use the free 1328(f) screener to check whether a prior discharge affects your eligibility.
Free Discharge Screener