NJ UCC-1 form continuation deadline - already past 6 months, options?

Oof, that's a tough spot. In NJ once that 5-year period lapses, your perfected security interest is gone. You can't just file a continuation after the deadline - the statute is pretty clear on that. Your best bet is probably filing a fresh UCC-1 but you'll lose priority to anyone who filed in between. Have you checked if there are any other filings against that debtor since February?

Been there with a missed continuation in NJ. The SOS system won't accept a late continuation filing - it'll just reject it. Like the previous poster said, you're looking at a new UCC-1 filing. Make sure your debtor name matches exactly what's on the Articles of Incorporation or you'll get rejected for that too. NJ is pretty strict about exact name matching.

Wait, are you sure about the lapse date? I thought NJ gave you a 6-month grace period after the 5-year mark. Let me check... no wait, that's for renewals not continuations. Never mind, you're right about being past the deadline.

This exact thing happened to a client of mine last year - $240k in equipment, missed the continuation by 3 months. Had to refile as new UCC-1 and thankfully no other creditors had filed in between. But the stress level was through the roof until we confirmed priority. Document everything about when you discovered the lapse for your lender.

I hate the NJ UCC portal honestly. It's not user-friendly and the rejection notices are confusing. Plus they don't send any reminder emails about upcoming expirations like some other states do. Easy to miss deadlines when you're juggling multiple filings across different states.

Just to clarify the process - you'll need to file a completely new UCC-1, not try to amend or continue the old one. Use the current date as your priority date. Make sure your collateral description is comprehensive since you're starting fresh. And yes, definitely run a search first to see what else might be out there.

This is why I always file continuations at least 90 days before the deadline. Gives you buffer time if there are any rejection issues. For your situation though, definitely get that new UCC-1 filed ASAP. Every day you wait is another day someone else could potentially file against the same debtor.

Had something similar happen in NJ two years ago. The key thing is being transparent with your lender about what happened and your timeline for fixing it. Most lenders would rather work with you on a solution than have an unperfected security interest. Also make sure you keep detailed records of when you discovered the lapse and when you refiled.

One thing to watch out for - make sure you're not creating any issues with your loan documentation. Some loan agreements have specific language about maintaining perfected security interests continuously. You might need to get a waiver or amendment from the lender acknowledging the gap.

This thread is giving me anxiety about my own filings lol. I have a NJ UCC-1 that expires next year and now I'm paranoid about missing the deadline. Going to set multiple calendar reminders right now.

Quick update - I filed the new UCC-1 this morning and it was accepted within a few hours. Used the exact legal name from the Articles of Incorporation and updated collateral descriptions. Now just waiting on the search results to confirm no intervening filings. Thanks everyone for the advice, especially about the name matching requirements.

Just want to add that it's worth implementing a systematic tracking process going forward to prevent this from happening again. I manage UCC filings across multiple states and found that creating a master spreadsheet with automated email alerts has been a lifesaver. Include columns for filing date, expiration date, state, debtor name, and collateral value - then set up calendar reminders at 12 months, 6 months, and 3 months before expiration. The peace of mind is worth the initial setup time, especially when you're dealing with high-value collateral like your $180k equipment.