Bankruptcy and Debt Defense Attorney Serving Richmond County and Staten Island

23 Years of Experience in New York Debt Law

Debt law in New York is specific, and the strategies that work depend on knowing how courts, creditors, and lenders behave in practice — not just in theory. Darren Aronow has been practicing consumer and business debt law for 23 years, representing clients in Nassau and Suffolk County, the five boroughs, and across the New York metro area. That depth of experience means we've seen the full range of creditor tactics, loan structures, and court procedures — and we know how to respond to each one effectively.

We are licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and admitted to the Eastern District of New York and the Southern District of New York. For Staten Island clients, that federal court access matters — many debt and bankruptcy cases are handled at the federal level, and having an attorney admitted to those courts is not optional.

How We Work with Clients in Richmond County

A lot of law firms treat the initial consultation as a screening call — a few minutes to decide whether your case is worth taking. We don't operate that way. When you call or reach out to Aronow Law, you speak directly with Darren. There's no intake screener, no gated 10-minute slot, and no clock running on the conversation. You get the time it takes to understand your situation and explain your options clearly.

We also offer full bilingual support in Spanish throughout the entire legal process — not just at intake. If Spanish is your preferred language, you will be served in Spanish from your first call through resolution. Our consultations are always free, and we're available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is one of the most misunderstood legal tools available to people in financial distress. Many clients come to us convinced that filing will ruin them — when in reality, it's often the fastest and most effective way to stop creditor actions and reset. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can discharge most unsecured debt in a matter of months. Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to restructure what you owe over a three-to-five-year plan while keeping your home, car, and other assets. We help Staten Island clients understand which option fits their situation — and what to expect at every step of the process.

Foreclosure Defense and Loan Modifications

Homeowners in Richmond County facing foreclosure have more options than they may realize. New York is a judicial foreclosure state, which means lenders must go through the courts — and that process creates real opportunities to negotiate, delay, and in many cases resolve the situation without losing the home. We represent Staten Island homeowners in mandatory settlement conferences, loan modification negotiations, short sales, and foreclosure litigation. If you've received a foreclosure summons or missed multiple mortgage payments, the time to act is now — not after a court date has been set.

Merchant Cash Advance and SBA Loan Defense

Business owners across Staten Island have been hit hard by merchant cash advance agreements and SBA loans that became unmanageable — particularly in the years following the pandemic. MCA lenders move fast: they file confessions of judgment, freeze business accounts, and place UCC liens on receivables, often before a business owner has time to respond. SBA and EIDL loan defaults carry their own complications, including personal guarantee exposure. We defend business owners against MCA lawsuits, challenge improper confessions of judgment, contest UCC liens, and negotiate restructured terms or settlements with both MCA funders and the SBA.

Wage Garnishment and Creditor Lawsuits

If a creditor has already won a judgment against you in New York, they can garnish up to 10% of your gross wages — and it can happen quickly once the paperwork is filed. For many Staten Island residents, that garnishment creates an immediate cash flow crisis. We help clients stop wage garnishments through bankruptcy or other legal remedies, and we defend against creditor lawsuits before a judgment is ever entered. If you've been served with a debt collection lawsuit, responding promptly and correctly is critical — ignoring it almost always leads to a default judgment.