If you’ve got a debt collection lawsuit against you before you had a chance to file your bankruptcy case, don’t panic.

A bankruptcy filing normally stops all lawsuits against you. But not everyone who is planning to file for bankruptcy can do so right away to stop the debt collection lawsuits.

If you’ve been sued by a debt collector, share the details of the debt collection lawsuit with your bankruptcy attorney. Listen to their recommendation. The course of action they recommend will depend on the type of debt-collection lawsuit and on the planned timing of your bankruptcy.

In New Jersey, it might be OK to ignore the typical debt collection lawsuit if you’re going to file the bankruptcy relatively soon anyway. It will take a little while for the debt collector to get a judgment against you and then to get the court to order a bank levy or a wage garnishment. Your bankruptcy attorney can use this time to their advantage to prepare your case. Make sure you get everything that your attorney needs to them as soon as possible, since the longer you wait, the higher the risk that debt collectors could get at your money.

If you’ve got a debt collection lawsuit against you, it might be time to speak with a bankruptcy attorney about your options. Schedule a phone appointment with attorney Jennifer Weil by calling (201) 676-0722.