New Jersey Statutes Title 17. Corporations and Institutions for Finance and Insurance 17 § 11C-39

No chattel mortgage or security interest, as defined in N.J.S. 12A:1-201, in, or other lien on, household furniture then in the possession and use of the borrower, taken in connection with a consumer loan, shall be valid unless that chattel mortgage and the financing statement and the security agreement are in writing, signed in person by the borrower, and if the borrower is married, unless it is signed in person by both husband and wife.  The written assent of a spouse shall not be required when husband and wife have been living separate and apart for a period of at least five months prior to the making of the mortgage or lien or security interest.