Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers in Paterson, New Jersey

Find the right Consumer Bankruptcy attorney in Paterson, NJ

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Bankruptcy is a court proceeding which lets a person or business have some or all of their debts excused. It should typically only be considered as an option of last resort, because it can have serious long-term consequences, even if it can stave off financial disaster. This means that the costs and benefits need to be carefully considered before filing. Being a product of federal law, bankruptcy will go through federal courts. Accordingly, the procedure for filing for bankruptcy in New Jersey is basically the same as the procedure anywhere else in the United States. However, individual courts in Paterson, New Jersey will have distinct rules for exemptions, so you should speak with a local attorney before filing.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Paterson, New Jersey

There are 2 typical types of consumer bankruptcies in Paterson, New Jersey: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 liquidates some of the debtor's assets. It requires a certain percentage of the debtor's assets to be sold off to pay as much of his or her debt as possible. However, many types of property that most people own are exempt, meaning that they don't need to be sold. This often includes houses, vehicles, insurance policies, and necessary personal items, like clothing. These assets are not available to creditors.

Once the appropriate property is sold, and the funds transferred to the creditors, the dischargeable debt is absolved. Some types of debt, however, can't be excused in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Paterson, New Jersey. These include student loans, criminal fines, and taxes, among others. If most of your debt can't be excused, Chapter 7 might not be the best choice for you.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Paterson, New Jersey

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Paterson, New Jersey is very different from Chapter 7. Whether or not it is a better option is highly dependent on the facts of each distinct case. Chapter 13 does not absolve any debt, but it creates a new payment plan that should give the debtor some breathing room. Usually, all of the debts are consolidated into 1 periodic payment. While this might make it take longer to pay off the debt, if the debtor is willing to make a few sacrifices, the plan should be manageable.

Which Type of Consumer Bankruptcy Should I File in Paterson, New Jersey

Chapter 13 is typically a good option for people who have a steady income, and a large amount of non-exempt property that they can't part with. On the other hand, if most of the debtor's property is exempt, and he or she does not have a steady income, Chapter 7 might be more beneficial.

Regardless of your situation, you should speak with an attorney in Paterson, New Jersey who is experienced in bankruptcy before making a decision. They will be able to advise you of your options, and the likely results of each one, allowing you to make a much more informed decision.

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Life in Paterson

Paterson, New Jersey is the county seat of Passaic County. It has a population of about 147,000 people, making it the third largest city in New Jersey.

Paterson, NJ became known as the "silk city" in the late 19th Century, due to its dominance in the silk-production industry. Paterson, NJ became a major center for other industries in the 20th century, thanks in large part to the presence of the Great Falls, a large waterfall on the Passaic River, which provided much of the energy needed for factories and other heavy industries in Paterson, NJ.

Modernly, Great Falls, NJ is part of an Urban Enterprise Zone, which is a designation under New Jersey Law that stimulates economic growth in areas where it's needed, through reduced sales tax, a fast-track process for obtaining business licenses, and financial incentives, such as tax credits, for businesses that hire new workers. Many Paterson, NJ lawyers were involved in drafting these rules, as well as getting portions of Paterson, NJ designated as such.

Paterson is known for being the residence of Paterson, NJ lawyer Edward Masry, who led the lawsuit against PGE, which was dramatized in the film "Erin Brockovich."

There are many other Paterson, NJ lawyers who can help you with whatever legal issue you may be facing. If you believe that you might need legal representation, there's a very good chance that a Paterson, NJ lawyer can help you.