How To File Bankruptcy for Free in New Jersey
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This guide shows you how to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy for free in New Jersey without paying for a lawyer. It takes you step by step through gathering documents, completing required courses, and filling out and filing your forms. You’ll also learn about New Jersey-specific rules, the means test, and how exemptions can protect property like your car or household belongings. If your case is simple, you may even qualify to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to make the process easier.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated September 16, 2025
How To File Bankruptcy for Free in New Jersey
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by debt, you’re not alone. But did you know that you don’t need a lawyer or a big legal bill to get a fresh start? Many people in New Jersey file Chapter 7 bankruptcy on their own and erase debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans.
This guide walks you through the steps to file on your own.
✨ If your case is simple, you may be able to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to get started today. It only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify.
- Collect Your New Jersey Bankruptcy Documents
- Take a Credit Counseling Course
- Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
- Get Your Filing Fee
- Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
- File Your Forms With the New Jersey Bankruptcy Court
- Mail Documents to Your Trustee
- Take a Debtor Education Course
- Attend Your 341 Meeting
- Deal With Your Car
Collect Your New Jersey Bankruptcy Documents
Before you start filling out your bankruptcy forms, you’ll need to gather some important documents to help you accurately report your income, expenses, and debts. Having everything organized ahead of time can make the process a lot less stressful.
To get started, gather:
Pay stubs from the last six months
Your two most recent federal tax returns
A bank statement that covers the date you file
🗂️ It’s also helpful to collect a few more documents while you’re getting organized. These aren’t required, but they can make it easier to fill out your forms:
Bank statements from the past 6–12 months
Credit card, loan, or medical bills
Letters or notices from debt collectors
A recent credit report
📄 You can request a free credit report every week from each of the three major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, we’ll pull your credit report for you automatically to help you list your debts.
Take a Credit Counseling Course
Before you file your bankruptcy forms, you’ll need to complete a credit counseling course from an approved provider. This is required for everyone who files Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Here are some important course details:
Most courses cost between $10–$50, but many people qualify for a fee waiver.
You must take the course within 180 days (about six months) before filing.
The course takes about an hour and helps you understand your financial options.
You can take the course online, over the phone, or sometimes in person, depending on the provider.
After you finish, you’ll get a certificate of completion to include with your bankruptcy forms.
⚠️ If you don’t file your certificate with the court, the judge may dismiss your case. That means your debts won’t be erased, and you’ll have to start over.
Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
Everyone who files Chapter 7 bankruptcy uses the same set of federal forms, no matter where they live. These forms are available for free as fillable PDFs from USCourts.gov.
🛠️ If you use Upsolve’s filing tool, you won’t have to figure out the forms by yourself. You’ll just answer simple questions, and we’ll create the correct forms for your case based on your answers.
If you work with a lawyer, they’ll usually have you fill out a questionnaire and then complete and file the forms on your behalf.
Get Your Filing Fee
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy costs $338. You’ll need to pay this fee to the court when you file your forms. If you can’t afford the fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Most people who earn less than 150% of the federal poverty guideline are eligible.
🛠️ If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, it will help you fill out the waiver form, but you’ll still need to file the form yourself.
💵 If you don’t qualify for a waiver, you can apply to pay the fee in installments. Some people choose this option when they need to file quickly to stop a wage garnishment or other urgent debt collection. As soon as you file, something called the automatic stay takes effect. This temporarily stops most creditors from collecting from you, which can give you some breathing room to pay the rest of your fee.
⚠️ Just know that if you miss a payment, the court may dismiss your case.
Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
If you’re filing bankruptcy in New Jersey without a lawyer, you can either file your forms online or you can print your forms and file them by mail or in person at the courthouse.
🖨️ If you’re printing your forms:
Use regular white letter-size paper (8.5” x 11”).
Print single-sided in black ink.
Don’t staple or hole-punch anything.
The court requires one original set of forms and one full copy — so you’ll need to bring two sets in total. Many filers also print a third copy to keep for their own records.
✅ The official checklist is a great tool to help you stay organized and feel more in control as you prepare your forms.
🖊️ Because some details in your forms can expire or change, try not to print until you’re ready to file within the next few days. And before you submit your paperwork, double-check that you’ve signed every page that asks for a signature.
✨ If you’re using Upsolve’s free filing tool, you’ll get a ready-to-print packet with everything you need. Helpful dividers clearly show you where to sign.
If you decide to work with a bankruptcy lawyer, they’ll usually file your forms electronically on your behalf.
File Your Forms With the New Jersey Bankruptcy Court
In New Jersey, you can file your bankruptcy forms in person, by mail, or online. Many filers choose to submit their forms in person because it gives them extra peace of mind. When you file in person, the court clerk can check that your forms are complete and signed. If anything’s missing, they’ll let you know right away so you don’t risk delays.
📬 If you choose to file by mail, consider using certified mail so you can track your delivery and confirm it was received. You’ll need to mail your forms to the correct courthouse based on your home address.
💻 There’s also an option to file online through the court’s Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system. After submitting your forms online, you’ll still need to complete a few follow-up steps before your case is officially filed.
We’ll go over which courthouse to use — and more details about online filing — later in the New Jersey Districts & Filing Requirements section.
Mail Documents to Your Trustee
After you file your forms, the court will assign a bankruptcy trustee to your case. The trustee is a neutral person who reviews your paperwork, checks your documents, and oversees your case. You’ll get a notice in the mail with your trustee’s name, contact information, and the date of your 341 meeting.
The 341 meeting is a short meeting where the trustee will ask you a few questions about your case.
📄 You’re required to send certain documents to your trustee at least two weeks before your 341 meeting. These help the trustee confirm the information in your bankruptcy forms. At a minimum, you’ll need to send:
A copy of your most recent federal income tax return
Pay stubs or other proof of income for the 60 days before you filed
A bank statement that covers the date you filed your case
A clear copy of your photo ID and proof of Social Security number (like a Social Security card, W-2, or pay stub with your full SSN)
Some trustees may also ask for things like account statements, documentation of expenses, or written explanations if a document isn’t available. It’s important to follow any instructions your trustee gives you.
Take a Debtor Education Course
After you file your bankruptcy case, you’ll need to complete a second required class called a debtor education course. This short course teaches basic money management skills and helps you plan for life after bankruptcy. You must take this course to receive your discharge, which is the court order that officially wipes out your eligible debts.
Here’s what to know:
You must complete the course within 60 days after your 341 meeting.
You’ll need to use a court-approved provider.
You must file the certificate with the court.
📝 If you don’t file the certificate on time, the court may dismiss your case without issuing a discharge. That means your debts wouldn’t be erased, and you’d have to pay a fee to reopen your case.
Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file your Chapter 7 case, you’ll attend a brief meeting called the 341 meeting or meeting of creditors. You’ll get an official notice with the date, time, and how to join. Most meetings are held virtually using Zoom.
⏱️ This meeting usually lasts less than 10 minutes. It’s run by your bankruptcy trustee, not a judge. It gives the trustee a chance to verify your identity and ask a few questions about your paperwork while you’re under oath.
👥 Your creditors are allowed to attend and ask questions, but that almost never happens in Chapter 7 cases. It’s completely normal to feel nervous, but many people are surprised by how simple and low-stress the meeting turns out to be. Once you finish, you’re one step closer to your fresh start.
Deal With Your Car
It’s completely normal to worry about what will happen to your car if you file for bankruptcy. The good news is that many people who file Chapter 7 in New Jersey are able to keep their vehicles.
🚗 If you own your car outright, you may be able to protect it if its value is less than the available bankruptcy exemption.
Exemptions are laws that let you keep certain property in a bankruptcy. In New Jersey, you can choose between state and federal exemptions. For cars, federal exemptions are more generous:
New Jersey's personal property exemption protects up to $1,000 of your car’s value.
The federal motor vehicle exemption lets you protect up to $5,025.
👉 We’ll go over exemptions in more detail later in the New Jersey Bankruptcy Exemptions section.
If you have a car loan, you can usually keep your car as long as your equity is protected. Equity is the car’s value minus what you still owe. For example, if your car is worth $8,000 and you owe $5,000, you have $3,000 in equity. If that fits within your available exemption, you can usually keep the car.
If you want to keep your car, you can:
Reaffirm the loan: If the payments are manageable and the car isn’t worth much less than what you owe, you may choose to sign a reaffirmation agreement. This means you agree to keep paying the loan and keep the car.
Redeem the car: If you owe more than the car is worth, you might choose to redeem the vehicle. You pay the lender the car’s current value, and the rest of the loan is wiped out.
If the loan is too expensive or the car needs major repairs, you can give the car back. You won’t owe anything else on the loan after your bankruptcy discharge.
🔄 If you’re leasing a car, you can either keep the lease or give the car back during bankruptcy. Read our Bankruptcy Guide to Leases to learn more.
New Jersey Bankruptcy Means Test
To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New Jersey, you’ll need to pass something called the means test. This test looks at your income to make sure you qualify for debt relief under Chapter 7.
🔢 The means test happens in two steps:
Step 1: You compare your income to the median income for a household of your size in New Jersey. If your income is below the median, you automatically pass and can file under Chapter 7.Most filers qualify at this step and don’t need to do the second step.
Step 2: If your income is above the median, you’ll move to the second part of the test. This step accounts for allowable expenses, and it can get legally complex. So if you find yourself in Step 2, it’s best to talk to a lawyer to confirm your eligibility. Most offer free consultations.
Data on Median Income Levels for New Jersey
New Jersey Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| 1 | $7,021.42 | $84,257.00 |
| 2 | $8,575.25 | $102,903.00 |
| 3 | $10,931.08 | $131,173.00 |
| 4 | $13,592.50 | $163,110.00 |
| 5 | $14,517.50 | $174,210.00 |
| 6 | $15,442.50 | $185,310.00 |
| 7 | $16,367.50 | $196,410.00 |
| 8 | $17,292.50 | $207,510.00 |
| 9 | $18,217.50 | $218,610.00 |
| 10 | $19,142.50 | $229,710.00 |
Data on Poverty Levels for New Jersey
New Jersey Fee Waiver Eligibility for Cases Filed In 2025Eligible for fee waiver when under 150% the poverty level. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
| 1 | $1,255.00 | $1,882.50 |
| 2 | $1,703.33 | $2,555.00 |
| 3 | $2,151.67 | $3,227.50 |
| 4 | $2,600.00 | $3,900.00 |
| 5 | $3,048.33 | $4,572.50 |
| 6 | $3,496.67 | $5,245.00 |
| 7 | $3,945.00 | $5,917.50 |
| 8 | $4,393.33 | $6,590.00 |
| 9 | $4,841.67 | $7,262.50 |
| 10 | $5,290.00 | $7,935.00 |
New Jersey Districts & Filing Requirements
New Jersey has one federal bankruptcy district, divided into three vicinages:
Camden
Newark
Trenton
You can file your forms in person, by mail, or online through the court’s Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system.
If you choose to file in person or by mail, you need to do so at the courthouse that serves your county.
👉 Look for your county in the table below or use the court’s official county list to see which vicinage handles your case.
| Vicinage | County | Courthouse Location |
|---|---|---|
| Camden | Atlantic, part of Burlington (the townships of Cinnaminson, Delran, Edgewater Park, Evesham [Marlton], Maple Shade, Moorestown, Mt. Laurel, Palmyra, Riverside, and Riverton), Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem | US Post Office & Courthouse 401 Market Street Camden, NJ 08101 |
| Newark | Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union | Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building 50 Walnut Street Newark, NJ 07102 |
| Trenton | Part of Burlington (excluded are the townships of Cinnaminson, Delran, Edgewater Park, Evesham [Marlton], Maple Shade, Moorestown, Mt. Laurel, Palmyra, Riverside, and Riverton), Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Warren | Clarkson S. Fisher U.S. Courthouse 402 East State Street Trenton, NJ 08608 |
📑 Reminder about paper filings: If you file your bankruptcy forms in person or by mail in New Jersey, the court requires two complete sets of your paperwork — the original and one copy.
💻 Online filing option (eSR): New Jersey offers an Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system that lets you submit your bankruptcy forms online instead of mailing or hand-delivering them.
Here’s how it works:
You submit your forms through the court’s secure website.
You’ll get an email confirmation with instructions for a few extra items you need to send within 10 days. These include:
Your credit counseling certificate
A copy of your photo ID
Your filing fee payment, a fee waiver application, or an installment plan application
You can send these extra documents by mail or overnight carrier, or you can hand-deliver them to the courthouse listed in your confirmation email.
Your case is officially filed on the date the clerk receives these follow-up items.
Some filers like eSR because it saves a trip to the courthouse, but it still requires mailing or delivering a few final documents.
Pay Your Filing Fee
💰 The Chapter 7 filing fee in New Jersey is $338. You have several ways to pay:
In person at the courthouse with a cashier’s check or money order made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court
By mail with a cashier’s check or money order included in the same envelope as your paperwork
Online through the court’s Pay.gov system using a debit card or PayPal
🚫 The court doesn’t accept cash, personal checks, or credit cards.
📝 If you can’t afford the full fee, you can apply to pay in up to four installments (starting with at least 25% of the fee, or $85) or apply for a fee waiver if your income is below 150% of the poverty guideline.
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New Jersey Bankruptcy Exemptions
Bankruptcy exemptions are legal protections that help you keep certain property when you file. In a Chapter 7 case, the bankruptcy trustee can sell non-exempt property to pay your creditors. But most people who file don’t lose anything because their belongings are fully protected by exemptions.
If you live in New Jersey, you can choose between using New Jersey exemptions or federal bankruptcy exemptions. Many people choose the federal set, especially homeowners, because New Jersey doesn’t have a homestead exemption to protect equity in your primary home. The federal homestead exemption protects up to $31,575 in home equity, or $63,150 if you’re married and filing together.
Federal exemptions also include:
🚗 Vehicle: Up to $5,025
🎯 Wildcard: Up to $1,675, plus up to $15,800 of unused homestead exemption
🛋️ Household goods: Up to $800 per item, max $16,850 total
New Jersey’s state exemptions cover things like certain pensions, life insurance, and public benefits like workers' comp or disability. These may be helpful in specific cases.
New Jersey Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost
Many New Jersey lawyers charge a flat fee for handling Chapter 7 cases. These fees usually range from $1,500 to $2,800 depending on where you live and how complicated your case is.
🤝 Attorneys often represent the biggest expense in a bankruptcy. In some cases, they can make a real difference, especially if you own a home or your situation is complex. Most lawyers offer a free consultation so you can get a feel for the process and what your case might involve without any cost.
New Jersey Legal Aid Organizations
Legal aid organizations are nonprofits that help people with low incomes get free legal help. If you’re filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New Jersey and can’t afford a lawyer, these groups may be able to assist. You’ll usually need to meet income guidelines to qualify.
Legal Services of New Jersey has locations statewide.
If you live in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, or Union County, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice may be able to connect you with free legal help.
