You Deserve A Fresh Start

How Long Does It Take to File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

From the day you come into our office to discuss your bankruptcy to the day your debt is discharged can be as little as four months. Our New Jersey bankruptcy attorneys can help you determine your own personal timeline for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and guide you through the process.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Steps

When you come into our office, you can retain our services immediately for as little as $100. This will give you legal representation, even if you are unable to file for bankruptcy right away. Having the full strength of our office behind you means you can ask our lawyers questions and talk about your concerns. We will also do everything we can to protect you from your creditors until we have filed your bankruptcy petition with the courts. Once you have retained us, you can tell your creditors to call us and to leave you alone.

The day we file your bankruptcy petition — An automatic stay is put into place, stopping the harassing phone calls and letters from your creditors. This also stops any garnishments on your bank accounts, removes any levies from your bank accounts and stops the repossession of your possessions, including your car.
After your petition is filed —
- Any schedules of your assets and debts that have not already been filed with the courts must be filed by our attorneys. This includes lists of your current income and expenditures, any current contracts or unexpired leases, and a statement of your financial affairs.
- The courts send a notice of your filing for bankruptcy to all of the creditors listed on your petition, which puts the creditors on notice to cease all collection activities.
- You will receive the date and time for your meeting of creditors.
Approximately 30 days after your petition is filed — You will attend your meeting of creditors, also known as a 341 meeting or Trustee hearing, with one of our attorneys by your side. This meeting usually takes between five and 10 minutes. Your creditors are allowed to attend this meeting, rarely do they ever attend.
30 days after your meeting of creditors — Your creditors are given 30 days after this meeting to object to any exemptions you have claimed in your petition.
60 days after your meeting of creditors —
- You must participate in a financial management course as part of your bankruptcy proceedings. This will be done online or on the phone. The course is designed to help you manage your money after bankruptcy and provide you with information to deal with your finances going forward.
- Your creditors have 60 days to object to the discharge of a particular debt or all the debt in your case.
Your debt is discharged — Your discharge is entered by the courts after the 60-day period of objection by your creditors has expired. Your discharge papers will arrive in the mail 75 to 90 days after your meeting of creditors.