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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
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 listed 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.
While repairing your credit, a secured card can add payment-history context when it reports to the bureaus. Compare deposits, fees, bureau reporting, and any no-credit-check claims directly.
This is state-level context for Debt Relief consumers in Union City, NJ. It does not confirm that Karra L. Kingston Esq. or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance
Consumer protection
Relevant law: New Jersey Debt Adjustment and Credit Counseling Act (N.J.S.A. 17:16G-1 et seq.)
Registration: Required with New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance
Upfront fees: Listed as prohibited in the current CreditDoc state summary
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Karra L. Kingston Esq. offers 12 services including Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (liquidation), Chapter 13 Bankruptcy (repayment plan), Debt Settlement and Debt Negotiation, Foreclosure Defense, Loss Mitigation, and 7 more.
Karra L. Kingston Esq. has profile signals associated with 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.
Key strengths: 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. Areas to consider: Attorney fees are not publicly listed — pricing requires a direct consultation; No online client portal or mobile app; minimal digital infrastructure.
In the Debt Relief category, comparable providers include Alliance Settlement, First Credit Services, Garantice su Futuro. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
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.
Alliance Settlement negotiates with creditors to reduce unsecured debt and consolidate payments into lower monthly amounts, targeting 24-48 month payoff timelines with no upfront fees.
Profile signals: Consumers with $5,000–$100,000+ in unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) struggling to make minimum payments, Individuals who prefer professional negotiation over self-negotiation with creditors and want consolidated monthly payments
Omnichannel debt collection agency specializing in first-party and third-party collections, portfolio recovery, and business process outsourcing with AI-driven consumer engagement.
Profile signals: Businesses and creditors seeking professional debt collection and failed payment recovery services, Healthcare providers and fitness facilities managing patient/member account receivables
Multidisciplinary financial services firm offering debt elimination, consolidation, bankruptcy, and financial advisory to the Hispanic community since 1984.
Profile signals: Spanish-speaking consumers seeking integrated financial and legal advice, Individuals with multiple financial issues (debt, investments, insurance) wanting one provider
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A step-by-step guide to consolidating your debt on your own, without paying a debt consolidation company. Covers balance transfers, personal loans, the snowball method, and negotiating directly with creditors.
Read guide →A step-by-step 90-day plan to assess your finances, attack debt, dispute errors, and rebuild credit. Real timelines, specific actions, and legal protections you can use immediately.
Read guide →Learn how debt management plans reduce interest rates, negotiate with creditors, and help rebuild credit in 3–5 years. Real timelines and eligibility rules.
Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
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.
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).
A federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. They write rules, supervise financial companies, and handle consumer complaints.
The CFPB is your most powerful ally against high-cost 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.
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 are required to stop contacting you if you request in writing.
Knowing your FDCPA rights stops abusive collection tactics. If a collector violates the law, you may have a right to 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.
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 has obtained a judgment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chapter 13 may be more relevant 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.
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.
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 is generally required to 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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Consolidation is generally most useful 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.
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.
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.
The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.
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.
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.
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 has obtained 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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