Yes. You can represent yourself and file an answer within 35 days after you were served, and the New Jersey Courts publish self-help materials for foreclosure cases. An answer only changes the case if it raises real disputes, so getting free advice first is worth it.
An answer is your written response to each numbered paragraph of the complaint, along with any defenses, such as disputing the amount claimed, questioning whether the plaintiff has the right to enforce the loan, or pointing to Fair Foreclosure Act notice requirements that were not met. It is filed with the court, served on the lender's attorney, and accompanied by a filing fee unless the court waives it for someone who cannot afford it. An answer that does not actually contest the mortgage, the lender's right to foreclose or the amount due can be treated as uncontested, so a statement that you cannot afford the payments usually does not keep the case contested on its own.
Start with the free options: Legal Services of New Jersey (1-888-576-5529) for income-qualifying homeowners, a HUD-approved housing counselor (800-569-4287), and the court's self-help foreclosure page on njcourts.gov for current forms and instructions. Mark the 35th day from service on your calendar, and if it is close, file on time rather than waiting for a perfect answer. Requesting mediation does not replace the answer or extend its deadline, so do both. If the 35 days have already passed, ask a New Jersey attorney about a motion to vacate the default.
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Educational information, not legal advice. Your own court documents control your deadlines; a licensed New Jersey attorney can confirm what applies to your case.