North Bergen, New Jersey Bankruptcy Lawyer

Effective Debt Relief Solutions for Consumers in Bergen County and Hudson County

Are you struggling to cope with overwhelming debt and don’t know where to turn? You’re not alone. In the age of COVID-19, people from all walks of life and income brackets are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Thankfully, there are legal remedies available to ease your financial burdens. 

The Law Office of Lazaro Carvajal helps Bergen County and Hudson County residents eliminate or reduce their debts under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Filing for bankruptcy is not an admission of personal failure or defeat. Rather, it’s an effective way to get your finances back on track. Bankruptcy lawyer Lazaro Carvajal provides compassionate support and expert legal advice at every stage of the bankruptcy process in New Jersey. 

Contact a Bergen County Bankruptcy Attorney Today

 Mr. Carvajal is pleased to offer a FREE initial consultation to discuss your bankruptcy case. Call (866)918-1128 to schedule. He will take the time to assess your financial situation and recommend a debt relief solution best suited to your needs. 

Bankruptcy Law Practice Areas

The Law Firm of Lazaro Carvajal provides comprehensive bankruptcy services in all areas of bankruptcy law, including:

• Debt removal through Chapter 7 bankruptcy 
• Debt reorganization/repayment plan through Chapter 13 bankruptcy
• Representation at 341 Meeting of Creditors
• Debt Defense and Settlement
• Deficiency Claim Defense

Should I File for Bankruptcy?

There are a number of reasons why Americans go bankrupt. An unforeseen job loss, illness, or divorce can quickly wipe out savings and retirement accounts. Overspending and excess use of credit can lead to unmanageable debt. No matter what the source of your financial distress, you shouldn’t have to worry about how you’re going to pay your bills and care for your family. To help you evaluate whether bankruptcy is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are creditors and/or bill collectors constantly calling you or sending you letters seeking payment? 
• Have you have fallen behind on mortgage and/or car payments?
• Are you unable to pay household expenses such as rent, food, or utilities?
• Are your wages being garnished?
• Has your landlord threatened to evict you?
• Is the bank foreclosing on your home?

Benefits of Filing for Bankruptcy

There are many benefits to choosing bankruptcy — namely, the opportunity to reduce or eliminate debt. In addition, when you file for bankruptcy in New Jersey, the court grants you an automatic stay. This is an order that can:

• stop harassing phone calls and letters from creditors 
• halt foreclosure proceedings on your home
• stop wage garnishment and levies on your bank accounts
• prevent repossession of your vehicles
• restore or prevent termination of utility service
• stops someone from suing you for medical debt, credit card debt, car accident damages, or a breach of contract 

Representing Debtors in the New Jersey District Bankruptcy Court

Bankruptcy cases in New Jersey are filed and handled by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. There are three courthouse locations that make up the district: Newark, Camden, and Trenton. 

Residents of Bergen County, Hudson County, Essex County, Morris County, Passaic County, Sussex County, and Union County are served by the Newark Courthouse/Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building located at 50 Walnut Street in Newark, NJ. 

Bankruptcy Filing Fees:

• Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy filing fee: $355
• Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy filing fee: $310

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy 

The two most common types of bankruptcy for consumers experiencing financial hardship are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

Need a Fresh Start? Choose Chapter 7

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is designed to let you “wipe the slate clean.”  In a Chapter 7 proceeding, you can discharge or wipe out most, if not all of your unsecured debts, including:

• medical bills
• utility bills
• credit card debt
• deficiency balances from vehicle repossession and foreclosure
• signature loans
• payday loans

There are certain debts that cannot be discharged however, such as: student loans, alimony, child support, fraudulent debts, certain taxes, and court ordered fines and penalties. 

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is also referred to as a “liquidation” bankruptcy because a court appointed trustee gathers and sells your non-exempt assets and uses the proceeds to pay your creditors. Fortunately, most people do not lose property in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy if they take advantage of state and federal exemptions.

Qualifying for Chapter 7 with a Means Test

In order to qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New Jersey, you will need to pass a means test that compares your average household income to the median income of a similar-sized household in New Jersey. If you fall below the household median income for a family of similar size in New Jersey, then you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief. However, if you are above the median income for New Jersey, then you will have to prove that you don’t have a lot of disposable income. 

New Jersey Median Income Levels for 2020

• One person household average monthly income: $5,808.75
• Two person household average monthly income: $6,978.25
• Three person household average monthly income: $8,887.50
• Four person household average monthly income: $10,944.25

Do you Need to Re-organize Your Debts? Choose Chapter 13

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy is known as a “wage earner” bankruptcy because it is meant for those who have a regular source of income but need help bringing their debt under control. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceeding, you can consolidate your debts into one monthly payment to repay your creditors over a 3-5 year period. 

Chapter 13 is especially beneficial if you want to: 

• keep valuable non-exempt property
• stop foreclosure of your home or repossession of your vehicles
• makeup missed mortgage or vehicle payments
• stop interest from accruing on your tax debt

Take Advantage of a Free Consultation with a Reputable NJ Bankruptcy Lawyer

Are you drowning in debt? The Law Office of Lazaro Carvajal is here to make sure you and your family don’t experience financial ruin. To learn more about your legal options, call (866)918-1128 today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with the firm’s founder and lead bankruptcy attorney. Our office is located in North Bergen and we serve residents in Bergen County and Hudson County, including Harrison, Hoboken, Jersey City, Kearny, and West New York. 

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

FAMILY LAW ISSUES CAN BE OVERWHELMING

I am a family law litigator who works on high conflict cases.

Whether it’s your divorce, your domestic violence case, or a child custody dispute, I will guide you through the complex legal system while fighting to protect your rights. I have extensive knowledge and experience and work to get you the results you desire.

I am a solo practitioner with a small passionate team focused on excellent communication and obsessed with customer service.

Call us today for a free consultation.

Speak with a dedicated Family Law Attorney In North Bergen & Union City, NJ today

Experienced Family Law Attorney Representing Individuals And Families In North Bergen, New Jersey And Throughout Hudson County!

Dependable and Compassionate Advocacy in all Family Law Matters 

There are few things in life as emotionally draining or stressful than being in a legal dispute with a loved one. Whether you are dividing assets in a divorce, determining child custody, seeking a restraining order, or dealing with another family law matter, you need a trustworthy family law attorney to protect your rights and guide you through the legal process.

At the Law Offices of Lazaro Carvajal, based in North Bergen, NJ, we take great pride in our reputation as a dependable firm that goes above and beyond for our clients. We recognize that family conflicts require a great deal of understanding and compassion. That’s why we work so hard to make sure everyone who walks through our doors feels heard, respected, and valued. 

The firm’s founder and lead family lawyer, Lazaro Carvajal believes in a highly personal approach to family law — one in which he readily hands out his cell phone number to clients. He genuinely cares about your well-being and will work tirelessly to deliver the outcome you desire so you can move forward with your life.

Get Clarity and Peace of Mind Today

Mr. Carvajal is committed to helping you resolve your family law matter as quickly, painlessly, and cost-effectively as possible.

Call 866-918-1128 today to receive a free, one-on-one consultation to discuss your case.

You’ll learn more about your legal rights and options and will get answers to your most pressing questions.

Family Law Practice Areas

• Legal separation
• Divorce property settlements and asset division
• Child custody and visitation/parenting time
• Alimony/spousal support
• Child support
• Domestic violence orders of protection
• Post-decree modifications to alimony, child custody/visitation, child support

Benefits of Hiring Mr. Carvajal

Choosing an attorney to represent you in your family law matter is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. When you work with Mr. Carvajal, you’ll benefit from:

• Personalized attention, responsive communication, and a friendly atmosphere
• A high standard of excellence marked by professionalism, integrity, and ethical representation
• In-depth knowledge of the New Jersey Family Code
• Familiarity with local family courts and procedures
• Legal solutions tailored to your family’s unique needs
• Effective negotiation skills leveraged to reach a compromise
• Trial tested litigator

A Non-Adversarial Approach to Family Law Yet Always Prepared for the Courtroom

Most couples and families don’t want to get dragged into a long, contentious court battle that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. Lazaro Carvajal seeks to minimize conflict whenever possible and pursues alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration before proceeding to trial.

He strongly believes that his clients should be the ones making decisions about their futures, not a judge. Approximately 90% of family law cases are settled before going to trial. Having said this, Mr. Carvajal will never hesitate to fight for you in court if necessary.

Family Law Issues We Can Help You Resolve 

The Law Offices of Lazaro Carvajal provides effective representation for a full spectrum of family law issues including:

DIVORCE: Choosing to end a marriage or partnership is never easy. Lazaro Carvajal provides the strategic guidance you need to make informed decisions at every stage in the divorce process on matters related to equitable marital property division, alimony or spousal support, child custody and visitation/parenting time, and child support. Whether your divorce is amicable or contested, you can expect Mr. Carvajal to represent your interests and draft and file all the relevant paperwork with the court including the initial divorce complaint, property settlement agreement, and other key documents.

PROPERTY DIVISION/EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION: New Jersey follows the equitable distribution approach to property division. This means assets and debts accumulated during the marriage must be divided “equitably.” “Equitably” doesn’t necessarily mean equal but rather what is fair. Mr. Carvajal has extensive experience handling simple and complex asset and debt distribution matters, including those involving high net worth. From the marital home to vehicles to retirement and investment accounts, he knows how to protect what is rightfully yours.

CHILD CUSTODY AND PARENTING TIME:The stakes are always a bit higher when there are children involved in a divorce. Mr. Carvajal will work with you and your child’s other parent to negotiate a fair custody agreement and parenting plan that is in the best interests of your child. If at any point you feel as if your parental rights are being threatened or the needs of your child aren’t being met, Mr. Carvajal will aggressively fight on your behalf in court.

CHILD SUPPORT: When parents separate or divorce in New Jersey, they are still legally obligated to provide financial support for their child(ren). In most cases, the noncustodial parent is ordered to make monetary payments to the custodial parent. The amount of child support is determined using the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines which takes into account the income of both parents, ages of the children, the amount of spousal support paid or received, as well as other factors.

Mr. Carvajal has experience in calculating, negotiating, enforcing, and amending child support payments. You can count on him to pursue an agreement that is fair and geared towards safeguarding your child(ren)s future.

ALIMONY/SPOUSAL SUPPORT: Alimony or spousal support is an amount of money one spouse pays to the other during or after the dissolution of a marriage or civil union. Whether you are seeking alimony or anticipate having to pay, Mr. Carvajal can present the facts of your case in a compelling and persuasive manner to ensure that the child support orders meet your financial needs or capabilities.

PROTECTION/HARASSMENT RESTRAINING ORDERS: Living in fear of someone else harming you or being accused of doing harm can be devastating. Mr. Carvajal assists individuals seeking or contesting an order for protection or harassment restraining order.

Enlist the Services of a Competent Family Law Attorney 

A legal conflict involving a loved one can keep you up at night. The Law Offices of Lazaro Carvajal provides compassionate and effective legal representation for individuals and families in Bergen County, Hudson County, and Jersey City. We are pleased to offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your family law matter. Call 866-918-1128  to schedule an appointment today.-