Chapter 7 includes ALL debts, including those reduced to judgment. The discharge gets rid of the debt that caused the judgment, then you have a bit of additional paperwork and legal fees to have the judgment vacated.
If you file individually, on YOUR debts, it won't have much of an impact on your spouse .. unless you include JOINT accounts, then it will directly affect him. After the discharge, getting any joint credit will be a hassle.
As for assets, you value whatever you have at garage sale prices, not resale or replacement value. The exemptions for personal property will most likely protect all your things, unless you have some luxury items. Here's a link to the NY exemptions:
http://www.thebankruptcysite.com/exemptions/newyork.htm
Looks like you've got $5000 to use to exempt most of your personal property.. one of the more generous states.
