New Jersey Bankruptcy Attorney Consultation
When filing for a bankruptcy in New Jersey, our office will require several documents that are necessary to prepare your bankruptcy petition. These documents will also be reviewed by the chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee. We will assist you in acquiring any documents that you are missing. The sooner that we receive the documents, the sooner we can file you bankruptcy petition. We recommend that you provide the below-listed documents to our office during the first consultation. We do not require clients to come into the office for the first consultation. If the consultation is done over the phone or via the internet, you may fax or email us the documents.
1. A copy of your New Jersey State and federal tax returns for the previous 2 years (including W2s and 1099s). Our office requires these to prepare your bankruptcy petition and the trustee will require them for review. As of 2008, bankruptcy trustees are now requiring that a copy of the taxes be provided to their office at least one week prior to the meeting of creditors by the NJ bankruptcy attorney. If you have earned income and have not filed your previous year's taxes, you will be required to do so. You cannot proceed with a chapter 7 bankruptcy without filing the taxes.
2. Proof of income. If you are receiving payment by check, you must bring a copy of your previous 2 payroll check stubs. If you worked overtime and it does not reflect a "regular" week, please bring in a payroll stub that shows that regular pay amount. If you are self-employed and do not receive payment by way of check, you must bring your bank statements for the previous 6 months. If you receive unemployment compensation, bring a copy of your statement. If you receive social security disability, bring proof of the amount of compensation. This information is necessary to prepare the bankruptcy petition.
3. If you own a home in New Jersey or elsewhere, bring a copy of the deed and a recent mortgage statement. You will also be required to provide an appraisal. We need to determine the value of the home. We do not need a full appraisal. A drive-by appraisal will suffice.
4. During the bankruptcy consultation, we pull a copy of your credit report. Many clients, however, have stated that the credit report is often missing several debts they have. The only way for us to include these in your bankruptcy petition is for you to provide us with the information. We encourage your to bring an itemization of all the debts you have. This itemization should include the name of the creditor, their address (including zip code), account number, and an estimate of the amount due. If any of the debts are also being collected through a collection agency or attorney, the name and address of the collection agency or attorney. For secured debts (ex. home, car, appliances, etc.) be sure to list the asset associated with the debt and your intention for the property. Your intention should be to keep the property or to surrender the property. If you decide to keep the property, you must continue to make the payments on time. If you decide to surrender the property, you will be forgiven for the remaining payments.
5. If you have a pending lawsuit or judgment against you, a copy of the court documents related to the proceeding.
6. Your social security number.
7. If you are recently divorced or are going through a divorce, we will need the court documents related to the divorce proceeding.
8. If you owe child support or alimony, we will need the name and address of the recipient. We will also need the address where the payment is made.
New Jersey Bankruptcy Attorney
372 Summit Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: 1 (888) 489-1533
Fax: (201) 798-8001
