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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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- posted: Jun. 11, 2025
For many Americans, bankruptcy is the best solution to overwhelming debt. If you’re unable to catch up on your financial obligations, a Chapter 7 debt discharge or a Chapter 13 repayment plan might make an enormous positive difference in your life. The first step is speaking with a knowledgeable attorney about whether you are eligible for this type of relief.
Generally, bankruptcy protection is available to those who need it, but there are certain factors that could exclude you from filing for a particular type of bankruptcy, or disqualify you from bankruptcy protection altogether. These include the following:
Failure to qualify under the Chapter 7 means test — When a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is finalized, the filing party’s nonexempt debts are eliminated. As this is a powerful measure, it is restricted to people who truly require it. This is determined through the means test, which evaluates your income in comparison to the New Jersey median, along with your expenses. If you don’t qualify for Chapter 7 because your income is too high, you might be able to establish a Chapter 13 repayment plan.
Recent filing — Someone who received a debt discharge usually must wait eight years from the date of their previous filing to open another Chapter 7 proceeding. For Chapter 13, the waiting period is typically two years.
Fraud — Engaging in activities that might be construed as fraudulent might disqualify you from bankruptcy protection. This is why it is very important to review your financial information thoroughly and make a full disclosure with your filing. Transactions made shortly before filing could be viewed as an attempt to hide assets from liquidation and distribution to creditors. An allegation of fraud could lead to dismissal of your case or even criminal charges.
Failure to complete credit counseling — One condition of bankruptcy is that a debtor must complete a credit counseling course from an approved agency. You can be barred from filing until this is done.
If you’re considering bankruptcy, contact The Law Offices of James C. Zimmermann for a free consultation. You can rely on us for honest insight about your best debt relief option. 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 an appointment.
