Everything you need to know about the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. Address, filing hours, local rules, trustee panel, and pro se resources.
Filing Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET. Electronic filing (CM/ECF) available 24/7.
Filing Fees: Chapter 7: $338 | Chapter 13: $313 | Chapter 11: $1,738
Fee Waivers: Available for Chapter 7 filers with income below 150% of the federal poverty line. Chapter 13 filers may request installment payments.
Electronic Filing: Attorneys must file through CM/ECF. Pro se debtors may file on paper at the clerk's window or request CM/ECF access.
Local Rules: https://www.njb.uscourts.gov/local-rules-and-orders
Chapter 7 trustees are assigned from the U.S. Trustee panel for Region 3. Standing Chapter 13 Trustees serve the Newark and Trenton vicinages.
The U.S. Trustee Program oversees the administration of bankruptcy cases and maintains the panel of private trustees. You can find the current trustee panel at justice.gov/ust.
Location: 341 meetings for the Newark vicinage are held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building, 50 Walnut St, Newark, NJ 07102, or by phone/video.
What to Bring: Government-issued photo ID, proof of Social Security number, most recent tax return, recent pay stubs, and recent bank statements.
Timing: The 341 meeting is typically scheduled 20-40 days after filing. You will receive a notice with the exact date, time, and format. For more: 341meeting.org.
The D. New Jersey provides pro se resources through the clerk's office. Legal Services of New Jersey and Northeast New Jersey Legal Services may provide free assistance.
Required Forms: All bankruptcy forms are available at uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms.
Credit Counseling: You must complete credit counseling from an approved agency before filing. List of approved agencies: justice.gov/ust.
For more pro se filing resources: prosebankruptcy.org | filebankruptcywithoutlawyer.com.
FJC data covering D. New Jersey filings. Source: Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database. Attorney fee ranges are estimates based on local market data.
Exemptions: New Jersey does not allow federal exemptions. You must use New Jersey state exemptions under N.J.S.A. sec. 2A:17-19 et seq. New Jersey has no homestead exemption, which makes Chapter 13 a popular choice for homeowners.
For detailed exemption information: bankruptcyexemptionsbystate.com.
File at the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building, 50 Walnut St, Newark, NJ 07102. Complete credit counseling first, prepare your petition and schedules, and pay the filing fee. Attorneys must file electronically through CM/ECF.
Chapter 7 costs $338 and Chapter 13 costs $313. You can pay in installments or apply for a fee waiver. Attorney fees in northern New Jersey typically range from $1,500-$2,500 for Chapter 7 and $3,500-$6,000 for Chapter 13.
New Jersey has no homestead exemption, meaning your home equity is not protected in Chapter 7. This makes Chapter 13 the preferred option for homeowners because it allows you to catch up on mortgage arrears while keeping your home. About 65% of consumer filings in the district are Chapter 13.
No. New Jersey has opted out of the federal exemption scheme. You must use New Jersey state exemptions. The key exemptions include personal property up to $1,000 and a wildcard exemption. There is no homestead exemption.
341 meetings for the Newark vicinage are held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building, 50 Walnut St, Newark, or by phone/video. Your notice of meeting specifies the exact format, date, and time.
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