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If you’re a Cleveland business owner dealing with MCA debt — you’re in a fight for your business. We get it. You need a firm that knows how to dismantle COJs, beat UCC-1 liens, challenge personal guarantees, and stop daily ACH debits — under both Ohio and New York law. Here are the top-rated firms that do exactly that.
Delancey Street is not a law firm — and that distinction is crucial. They coordinate with a nationwide network of licensed attorneys who fight for Cleveland business owners. Their attorneys don’t just negotiate — they go to battle. COJ challenges, usury defenses, UCC lien disputes. They use Ohio’s 8% usury cap, the state’s strict cognovit note requirements, and New York’s dual usury framework. They raise criminal usury defenses, challenge overbroad UCC-1 filings with the Ohio Secretary of State, and use the NY AG’s Yellowstone settlement to beat funders into settling. Over $100M settled. No upfront fees. This is what they do.
Not an MCA defense specialist — let’s be clear about that. They handle general unsecured business debt only.
Not an MCA defense specialist. If your Cleveland business faces both MCA debt and Ohio Department of Taxation or IRS obligations, CuraDebt can address the tax side.
Let’s be transparent about what MCA defense actually is. It’s not general debt settlement — it’s a fight against confessions of judgment, UCC Article 9 liens, personal guarantee enforcement, and aggressive daily ACH withdrawals that drain your account dry. Different weapons require a different kind of fighter.
Cleveland’s economy has transformed into a healthcare and innovation powerhouse. The Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals drive the medical economy. Manufacturing is still strong along the Cuyahoga Valley. Ohio City, Tremont, and the Flats are booming with restaurants, tech startups, and service businesses. But when healthcare reimbursements slow down, supply chains stall, or seasonal tourism dips — business owners grab MCAs for quick cash. When those advances stack up and daily debits eat 20–30% of revenue, the spiral gets brutal fast.
Here’s the reality. An MCA funder can freeze your bank account overnight. They’ve already filed blanket UCC-1 liens on everything you own. They’re pulling 15–25% of your daily revenue through ACH debits. You need a champion in your corner — now.
You’re scared. We get it. Whether you run a medical services company near the Cleveland Clinic, a restaurant in Ohio City, or a manufacturing supplier in the Flats — MCA default hits like a freight train: frozen accounts, liens on receivables, personal asset seizures. But here’s what the funders don’t want you to know — Ohio’s 8% usury cap and strict cognovit note requirements give you real power to fight back.
Strategy 1: Ohio is one of the few states that still permits cognovit notes under ORC §2323.13, but requires specific procedural safeguards: the debtor must receive conspicuous notice in the contract, and the waiver must be knowing and voluntary. Many MCA contracts fail to meet these requirements. If the cognovit note is procedurally deficient, the COJ can be vacated. And New York’s 2019 COJ reform bans filing COJs against out-of-state defendants.
Strategy 2: Even if a New York judgment exists, enforcing it in Ohio requires domestication under the Ohio Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (ORC §2329.021). Ohio’s debtor protections and homestead exemption make collection uncertain. Offer a lump-sum settlement (30–50%).
Under UCC § 9-607, lenders place UCC-1 liens with the Ohio Secretary of State. This devastates Cleveland businesses in healthcare services, manufacturing, and hospitality that depend on steady cash flow and receivables.
Strategy 1: Chapter 11 lets you pause collections. Ohio’s 8% usury cap under ORC §1343.01 is far below the 150% APR that many MCAs charge — if your MCA is reclassified as a loan, the contract may be unenforceable.
Strategy 2: Show lenders 6 months of bank statements demonstrating unsustainable withdrawals. For Cleveland healthcare service businesses, demonstrating delayed insurance reimbursement cycles and their impact on cash flow is particularly effective.
Ohio’s usury cap under ORC §1343.01 is 8% per year. A $50K advance at 150% APR exceeds this threshold by nearly 19 times.
Strategy 1: Usury Defense. If the MCA is reclassified as a loan, the contract violates Ohio usury law. Under ORC §1343.04, a borrower who has been charged usurious interest may recover twice the amount of excess interest paid.
Strategy 2: Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. The Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (ORC §1345.01 et seq.) prohibits unfair or deceptive consumer sales practices. If an MCA funder misrepresented financing costs to your Cleveland business, you may have additional claims including treble damages and attorney fees.
Here’s something crucial — nearly every MCA funder sits in New York. Your contract almost certainly designates New York courts. New York’s dual usury framework caps civil interest at 16% and criminal usury at 25%. Cross the criminal line? The contract is void. Period.
Cleveland business owners get a powerful dual-state defense. Ohio’s 8% usury cap, strict cognovit note requirements, homestead exemption, and the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act — all layered on top of New York’s framework. The CFPB has classified MCAs as “credit” under ECOA — another weapon in your arsenal.
1. Have they handled MCA defense specifically, including Ohio cases?
2. Do licensed attorneys handle the legal work — filing motions, challenging UCC liens, and drafting settlement agreements?
3. Legitimate firms charge 18–25% of enrolled debt, collected only after results. Upfront fees violate FTC guidelines.
Your search is over. Only Delancey Street offers true, elite MCA defense — attorney-coordinated COJ challenges, usury defenses, and UCC lien disputes. The other firms handle general debt. For MCA defense, there is one choice.
True MCA defense — high-powered and unafraid. Over $100M settled. Full coverage for Cleveland and all of Cuyahoga County. This is what they do.
Not an MCA defense specialist — let’s be clear about that. They handle general unsecured business debt only.
Not an MCA defense specialist. Best for combined business debt and Ohio Department of Taxation or IRS tax resolution.
Delancey Street’s attorney network fights MCA funders with usury defenses, COJ challenges, and settlement negotiation — using Ohio’s 8% usury cap, cognovit note requirements, and New York law. Over $100M settled.
Call for a Free ConsultationThis page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Individual results may vary. Rankings reflect independent editorial judgment. No compensation is received from listed companies.
No attorney-client relationship is formed. Debt settlement may have tax consequences and affect your credit score.
Delancey Street is not a law firm. They work with independent, licensed attorneys.
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