Drowning in debt in New York? You have more options than you think.
Bankruptcy is not failure — it's a federal right written into the U.S. Constitution. For thousands of New Yorkers each year, it's the legal reset that ends garnishment, stops foreclosure, halts collection lawsuits, and lets a household start rebuilding. The right NYC bankruptcy lawyer can tell you in 30 minutes whether Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or no bankruptcy at all is the right answer.
These 10 NYC bankruptcy firms have years of focused consumer and small-business bankruptcy experience, board certifications, and free or very low-cost initial consultations. You don't have to live with creditor calls.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Personal Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, small-business bankruptcy, Subchapter V
Stephen Z. Starr is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law (American Board of Certification) — one of a small number in NYC. Direct partner contact on every case.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, foreclosure defense
Recognised as Super Lawyers Rising Star and Best Bankruptcy Lawyer in New York. Founder personally handles every case — no paralegal-driven mill.
Practice focus: Personal and business bankruptcy, creditor representation, restructuring
Strong on both sides of the v. — a real advantage when negotiating workouts. Multiple partners listed in Best Lawyers.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Chapter 11, foreclosure defense
45+ years of bankruptcy experience. Board-certified in consumer bankruptcy. Has served as Chapter 7 trustee — invaluable insight on the other side of the table.
Practice focus: Consumer bankruptcy, debt settlement, small-business bankruptcy
James Shenwick has handled thousands of NY consumer bankruptcies. Frequently quoted on debt and bankruptcy in the New York Times and Bloomberg.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, foreclosure defense, debt negotiation
Serves clients across all five boroughs and Long Island. Spanish-language intake. High-volume consumer practice with strong client review presence.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, debt relief
More than 36 years and 19,000+ clients. Heavy outer-borough practice. Multilingual intake.
Practice focus: Business and personal bankruptcy, Chapter 11, restructuring
One of the longest-standing bankruptcy boutiques on Long Island and NYC. Multiple partners on Best Lawyers list. Strong business reorganization practice.
Practice focus: Chapter 11, Subchapter V, Chapter 7, business workouts
Known for small-business reorganization under the Small Business Reorganization Act (Subchapter V). Strong NY/Eastern District practice.
Practice focus: Chapter 11, real-estate restructuring, complex consumer cases
Highly active in NY commercial real-estate bankruptcies. Multiple partners listed in Best Lawyers for bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights.
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Request Free Consultation →A Chapter 7 ('liquidation') bankruptcy in the Southern or Eastern District of NY typically wraps up in 4-6 months, ending in a discharge of most unsecured debt. A Chapter 13 ('repayment plan') lasts 3-5 years and is often used to save a home from foreclosure or catch up on car payments. You'll attend a 341 Meeting of Creditors (now mostly by Zoom or phone) and complete two short credit counseling courses. Your lawyer handles the rest.
Most NYC consumer bankruptcy firms charge a flat fee. Chapter 7 typically runs $1,500-$3,500 depending on complexity. Chapter 13 is $4,000-$6,500, much of it paid through the plan over time. Court filing fees are $338 (Chapter 7) and $313 (Chapter 13), payable in installments if needed. Most firms offer free consultations and many will quote a fee on the first call.
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of New York City bankruptcy firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or visa approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate New York City lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
Most New York City firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
New York City is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. NY Supreme, Civil Court, and the Commercial Division have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, Statute of Limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right New York City firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs/defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Probably not. New York's homestead exemption protects up to $204,825 of home equity (Downstate amount, 2026) for a single filer — double for joint filers. If your equity is below the exemption and you're current on the mortgage, your home is safe. If you're behind, Chapter 13 lets you catch up over 3-5 years.
Usually yes. NY's motor-vehicle exemption protects up to $5,150 of vehicle equity (more if modified for disability). If your loan balance is close to the value, the equity is small and you keep the car by reaffirming or redeeming the loan.
No. Bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 7 (Chapter 13) to 10 (Chapter 7) years, but most filers see their credit score recover within 12-24 months and many qualify for FHA mortgages after just 2 years.
Federal student loans are difficult but not impossible to discharge — you'd file an Adversary Proceeding showing 'undue hardship' (the Brunner test in NY). Recent DOJ/Education Department guidance has made it more achievable. Private student loans are now treated more like other unsecured debt under recent case law.
Sometimes. Debt settlement works if you have lump-sum money and a manageable number of unsecured creditors. It hurts your credit, generates 1099-C tax events, and doesn't stop a lawsuit or wage garnishment. A bankruptcy lawyer can model both paths in a free consultation.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team