Had a 13 month lease in an apartment in NJ but broke it at 6 for relocation to another state for employment. Must I pay the termination fee?

Yes. Consider yourself fortunate that there is a stated termination fee. It puts a cap on the amount a landlord can collect from you. Without a termination fee, you can be held liable for actual damages in lost rental income, which can exceed that fee amount.

Of course.. why wouldn't you?

Yes. You broke the lease.

You do owe the fee. If you don't pay it there is no way for them to take you to court in another state but they will send it to collections and your credit will be ruined for a long time but they can't really force you to pay it from another state.

Is there any legal reason you can come up with which would make you believe you don't have to follow the contract you signed? If not, then yes.

yes

They are being nice offering an early termination fee...they could, instead, charge you for the balance of the lease term.

that is up to you and the landlord or building management. that is something you would've discussed when you broke the lease. if it wasn't already in there in the first place.

Yes you legally owe the termination fees to the terms you agreed to in your lease. In many cases that could be up to 7 months rent in your case. If you don't pay they will sue you and garnish your wages. You can ask your employer for help, but they are not required to pay it either unless you have it stated they should in a relocation agreement.

company MIGHT pay it for you ..............................