Contact Us
Please fill out the form below and our attorney will contact you.
Our Offices
Ratings & Reviews
-
Mr Zimmerman was helpful and kind and prompt . He always answers his phone and that is refreshing . I will be using him for my bankruptcy in the future. He is one of the good ones . He is an outstanding attorney who truley care . He made ev...
Show More -
Mr. Zimmermann is a fantastic bankruptcy attorney who handled my case with care, efficiency and urgency. We were able to beat a judgement against me in the nick of time, and I truly feel a sense of relief due to the services of Mr. Zimmerma...
Show More -
This Lawyer will go above and beyond for you. As well as show tremendous empathy for those who are vulnerable and scared. His compassion to help civilian's shows through his actions and with his word. When he says he is going to call he cal...
Show More -
I’ve worked with Mr.Zimmerman on two different legal issues. In both instances he was fantastic! He is extremely knowledgeable and compassionate and able to breakdown a course of action into language anyone can understand. I would highly re...
Show More -
I highly recommend Mr. Zimmermann as an attorny. I recently purchased an investment property and boy was he helpful. He was easily available, very clear in explaining various concepts, laws and regulations, and provided very helpful tips o...
Show More
- posted: Jul. 11, 2025
Bankruptcy and divorce can be very stressful events in a person’s life. In some cases, the two are connected as financial struggles often put enormous pressure on a marriage. If you’re facing the possibility of divorcing and filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the near future, you might have questions about the best way to handle these challenges.
There is no uniform answer as to whether it is better to seek bankruptcy protection before or after initiating your divorce. You should speak with a qualified attorney who can help you assess which option is best based on your particular circumstances and objectives.
Should you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy jointly with your spouse before the divorce, there are several potential benefits. By addressing shared debts such as credit-card balances and medical bills, you should be able to simplify the division of property as you go your separate ways. There can also be a financial benefit as a joint bankruptcy proceeding likely would be less expensive than if each spouse filed separately following the divorce.
However, there can be some drawbacks if you seek bankruptcy protection until before the marriage is dissolved. To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your combined household income must qualify under what is known as the means test. Combining your income, along with that of your spouse, could mean that you are not eligible debt discharge. Often when this occurs, debtors opt for a Chapter 13 repayment plan, but completing the schedule would take three to five years at a time where you’re looking to make a new start.
Filing jointly requires cooperation between you and your spouse, which may be challenging if your relationship is contentious. Once divorced, you’ll only need to address your individual debts, making the process more straightforward. Your income will be evaluated individually, which may make it easier to qualify for Chapter 7 if your post-divorce income is lower.
At The Law Offices of James C. Zimmermann, we provide personalized guidance to New Jersey residents on a full range of bankruptcy matters. Whether you’re going through a divorce or have another personal situation that might affect your debt relief issues, our firm will help you find the best path forward. We have five locations across North Jersey in Vernon, Wayne, Pompton Lakes, Hackensack and Nutley. Please call 973-764-1633 or contact us online for a free consultation.
