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Karra L. Kingston Esq. in Union City, NJ
Boutique bankruptcy and consumer debt law firm serving NY and NJ clients with Chapter 7/13, debt settlement, foreclosure defense, and wage garnishment relief.
Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
From Free/mo
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Karra L. Kingston Esq. Review
Karra L. Kingston Esq. is a solo consumer bankruptcy and debt law practice with over 25 years of experience representing individuals in New York and New Jersey. The firm's principal, Karra L. Kingston, is licensed in both NY and NJ state and federal courts and has earned a Super Lawyers selection. Operating out of a Staten Island headquarters with additional offices in Union City, Woodbridge, Jersey City, and Newark, the firm serves a broad geographic footprint across the metro area. The firm does not carry BBB accreditation and is listed as unrated by the BBB due to insufficient information on file.
The firm exclusively represents individual consumers — not businesses — in bankruptcy and related debt proceedings. Core services include Chapter 7 bankruptcy (liquidation) and Chapter 13 bankruptcy (structured repayment plans), with government-mandated court filing fees of approximately $335–338 for Chapter 7 and $310–313 for Chapter 13. Required pre-filing credit counseling courses run $10–25 each. Attorney fees are not publicly posted but the firm advertises zero-down filing options and flexible payment plans, making representation accessible to clients who cannot pay upfront. Beyond bankruptcy, the practice handles debt settlement negotiations, foreclosure defense, loan modifications, and emergency intervention to stop wage garnishments, bank levies, and vehicle repossessions.
What sets this practice apart is its unusual availability: Kingston operates seven days a week from 9 AM to 9 PM — a schedule rare among law firms and particularly valuable to working clients who cannot take time off. Clients report direct access to the attorney rather than being passed to paralegals or junior staff. The firm has documented success negotiating debt settlements at 20–30 cents on the dollar and has won loan modifications both inside and outside of formal bankruptcy proceedings.
The firm's strengths are its personal service model, extended hours, flexible payment structure, and demonstrated competence in consumer debt law across a 25-year career. The key limitations: attorney fees are opaque and require a direct consultation, there is no online client portal or mobile app, and the firm's web presence is minimal (a basic Yola-hosted site and a separate blog). Consumers seeking a tech-forward experience with transparent fee schedules will need to look elsewhere. This is a strong fit for NJ/NY residents facing serious debt crises who need licensed legal representation rather than a credit repair service.
When evaluating debt relief companies, consumers should compare settlement programs against alternatives like debt consolidation loans, which combine multiple debts into a single fixed-rate payment. Credit counseling through nonprofit agencies offers free budgeting help without impacting credit scores. For those whose credit has already been damaged, credit repair services can address inaccurate negative items on reports. Personal loans for bad credit may provide funds for debt payoff at lower rates than credit cards, and credit monitoring services help track progress throughout the recovery process. Consolidating high-interest balances into a single installment loan with a fixed rate can reduce total interest paid and simplify monthly budgeting.
Services & Features
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy (repayment plan)
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (liquidation)
Consumer Debt Representation Against Debt Collectors
Debt Settlement and Debt Negotiation
Foreclosure Defense
Loan Modification (in and out of bankruptcy court)
Loss Mitigation
Pre-Bankruptcy Credit Counseling Referral
Stopping Bank Levies
Stopping Vehicle Repossessions
Stopping Wage Garnishments
Zero-Down Bankruptcy Filing with Payment Plans
Feature Checklist
Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection
Pricing Plans
Debt Settlement
Free /mo
- Free initial consultation
- Dedicated account manager
- Negotiate with creditors
- Performance-based fees (15-25% of enrolled debt)
- Monthly progress updates
- No upfront fees
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Available 7 days a week, 9 AM–9 PM — unusually broad hours for a law firm
- Zero-down and payment plan options for clients who cannot pay attorney fees upfront
- 25+ years of consumer bankruptcy experience in NY and NJ courts
- Documented debt settlements negotiated at 20–30% of original balance
- Clients report direct access to the principal attorney, not paralegals
- Licensed in both NY and NJ state and federal courts — covers the full metro area
- 5.0 Google rating across 250 reviews, indicating consistently strong client satisfaction
Cons
- Attorney fees are not publicly listed — pricing requires a direct consultation
- No online client portal or mobile app; minimal digital infrastructure
- BBB lists the firm as unrated due to insufficient information on file
- Services limited to New York and New Jersey residents only
- Solo practice means capacity constraints; no large team backing the attorney
Rating Breakdown
Value 5.0
Effectiveness 3.5
Customer Service 3.7
Transparency 4.1
Ease of Use 3.7
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Karra L. Kingston Esq. legitimate?
Yes. Karra L. Kingston Esq. is a registered company, headquartered in Staten Island, NY.
How much does Karra L. Kingston Esq. cost?
Karra L. Kingston Esq. plans start at Free per month with no setup fee. No money-back guarantee is offered.
Quick Facts
- Headquarters
- Staten Island, NY
- BBB Accredited
- No
- Certifications
- NY State Bar NJ State Bar NY Federal Court Admission NJ Federal Court Admission Super Lawyers Selection
- Starting Price
- Free/mo
- Setup Fee
- None
- Free Consultation
- No
- Money-Back Guarantee
- No
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Doctor's Verdict on Karra L. Kingston Esq.
Karra L. Kingston Esq. is best suited for NY/NJ consumers facing serious debt crises — particularly those considering bankruptcy, under threat of foreclosure, or dealing with wage garnishments — who need a licensed attorney with flexible payment terms and extended availability. The main caveat is that this is a legal services firm, not a credit repair or debt consolidation company; consumers looking to dispute credit report errors or negotiate settlements without a bankruptcy filing may find a different provider more appropriate.
Best For
- NY/NJ consumers overwhelmed by credit card debt, medical bills, or personal loans considering bankruptcy
- Homeowners facing foreclosure who need legal defense or loan modification assistance
- Workers subject to active wage garnishments or bank levies needing emergency legal intervention
- Individuals who cannot afford large upfront attorney fees and need zero-down or payment plan options
Updated 2026-04-29
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Read guide →Financial Terms Explained (14 terms)
New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
How Loans Work
Default — Loan Default
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Why it matters
Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example
You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
Legal Terms
CFPB — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
A federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. They write rules, supervise financial companies, and handle consumer complaints.
Why it matters
The CFPB is your most powerful ally against predatory lenders. Filing a complaint with them gets a response from the company within 15 days — companies take CFPB complaints seriously.
Example
A debt collector calls your workplace after you told them to stop. You file a CFPB complaint online. Within 15 days, the collection agency responds and agrees to stop. The CFPB tracks complaint patterns across all companies.
FDCPA — Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
A federal law that limits what debt collectors can do. They can't call before 8am or after 9pm, can't harass you, can't lie, and must stop contacting you if you request in writing.
Why it matters
Knowing your FDCPA rights stops abusive collection tactics. If a collector violates the law, you can sue for up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.
Example
A collector calls your workplace 3 times after you told them not to. That's 3 FDCPA violations. You hire a consumer attorney (free — they get paid by the collector). The collector settles for $3,000.
Garnishment — Wage Garnishment
A court order that requires your employer to withhold part of your paycheck and send it directly to a creditor. Usually happens after a creditor sues you and wins a judgment.
Why it matters
Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of disposable income. Some states have lower limits. Student loans and taxes can be garnished without a court order.
Example
You owe $8,000 on a defaulted credit card. The bank sues, gets a judgment, and garnishes your wages. On a $3,000/month net paycheck, they take $750/month until the debt is paid.
Statute of Limitations — Statute of Limitations (Debt)
A time limit (typically 3-6 years, varies by state) after which a creditor can no longer sue you to collect a debt. The debt still exists, but they lose the legal power to force payment.
Why it matters
Knowing your state's statute of limitations prevents you from being tricked into paying debts that are legally uncollectable. Beware: making a payment can restart the clock.
Example
You have a $3,000 credit card debt from 2019. Your state has a 4-year statute of limitations. In 2024, a collector calls demanding payment. The statute has expired — they cannot sue you.
Debt & Recovery
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy (Reorganization)
A type of bankruptcy where you keep your assets but follow a court-approved 3-5 year repayment plan to pay back some or all of your debts. Stays on credit for 7 years.
Why it matters
Chapter 13 is better than Chapter 7 if you have a home or assets you want to keep. It can stop foreclosure and let you catch up on mortgage payments over 3-5 years.
Example
You're 3 months behind on your mortgage and have $30,000 in credit card debt. Chapter 13 stops foreclosure and puts you on a 5-year plan: you pay $600/month to catch up on the mortgage and pay 40% of the credit card debt.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy — Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (Liquidation)
A type of bankruptcy that wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills) by liquidating non-exempt assets. It stays on your credit for 10 years.
Why it matters
Chapter 7 gives you a fresh start but at a steep cost: 10 years on your credit, difficulty getting loans, and you may lose assets. Income must be below your state's median to qualify.
Example
You have $45,000 in credit card debt and earn $35,000/year. Chapter 7 erases the debt. You keep exempt property (basic car, household items). Your score drops to ~500 but you're debt-free.
Charge-Off
When a creditor declares your debt a loss after 180 days of nonpayment and removes it from their books. But you still owe the money — they just stop expecting to collect it themselves.
Why it matters
A charge-off is one of the most damaging entries on your credit report and stays for 7 years. The debt is usually sold to a collection agency who will pursue you for it.
Example
You stop paying your $4,000 credit card. After 180 days, the bank charges it off and sells the debt to a collector for $800. The collector now contacts you demanding the full $4,000 (they profit from what they collect above $800).
Collections — Debt Collections
When an unpaid debt is transferred or sold to a third-party collection agency that specializes in recovering the money. Collection accounts appear on your credit report for 7 years.
Why it matters
Even a $50 collection account can drop your score 50-100 points. Some newer FICO models (FICO 9) ignore paid collections, but many lenders still use older models.
Example
An old $200 gym bill goes to collections. It appears on all 3 credit reports and drops your 720 score to 640. Paying it helps with newer scoring models but under FICO 8 (still widely used), a paid collection still hurts.
Debt Consolidation
Combining multiple debts into one single loan with one monthly payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. It simplifies repayment and can reduce total interest.
Why it matters
Consolidation works best when you get a lower rate than your existing debts. But it doesn't reduce what you owe — and extending the term can mean paying more total interest.
Example
You have: $5,000 at 22% (credit card), $3,000 at 18% (store card), $2,000 at 25% (payday loan). A $10,000 consolidation loan at 11% saves you ~$2,100 in interest over 3 years.
Debt Settlement — Debt Settlement / Negotiation
Negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full amount you owe — typically 40-60 cents on the dollar. Usually done after you've already fallen behind on payments.
Why it matters
Settlement can save thousands, but it severely damages your credit (settled accounts show for 7 years) and the IRS may tax the forgiven amount as income.
Example
You owe $15,000 on a credit card and negotiate a settlement of $7,500 (50%). You save $7,500 but: your credit drops 100+ points, the account shows 'settled' for 7 years, and you may owe taxes on the $7,500 forgiven.
DTI Ratio — Debt-to-Income Ratio
The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.
Why it matters
Most lenders want DTI below 36% for personal loans and below 43% for mortgages. Above that, you're considered overextended and likely to be denied.
Example
You earn $5,000/month gross. Your debts: $1,200 mortgage + $300 car + $200 student loans = $1,700/month. DTI = 34%. A new $400/month loan would push you to 42% — risky for lenders.
Judgment — Court Judgment (Debt)
A court ruling that says you legally owe a specific amount to a creditor. It gives the creditor power to garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, or place liens on your property.
Why it matters
Judgments are enforceable for 10-20 years (varies by state) and can be renewed. They give creditors far more collection power than a simple unpaid debt.
Example
A credit card company sues you for $8,000 and wins a judgment. They can now garnish 25% of your paycheck ($750/month on a $3,000 net salary) and freeze your bank account.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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