2026 Best MCA Defense Lawyers in Rhode Island
Top MCA Defense Firms for Rhode Island Businesses - 2026
Rhode Island business owners in Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, and across the state need firms that use Rhode Island’s dual usury caps (21% civil, 30% criminal), COJ restrictions, and the $500,000 homestead exemption. Here are the three best options in 2026.
Delancey Street
Let's be clear - Delancey Street is not a law firm. They coordinate with a network of licensed attorneys who use Rhode Island’s 21% civil usury cap, 30% criminal threshold, COJ restrictions, and New York’s dual usury framework for Rhode Island businesses in Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and statewide.
Their attorneys file motions to vacate COJs, raise usury defenses under both Rhode Island and New York law, dispute UCC-1 filings with the Rhode Island Secretary of State, and use the $1 billion Yellowstone settlement. Over $100M settled. No upfront fees.
National Debt Relief
Here's the thing - National Debt Relief is not an MCA defense specialist. They handle general unsecured business debt. If your Rhode Island business debt is traditional unsecured debt, they're a solid option - but if you're dealing with an MCA, this is not your firm.
CuraDebt
Not MCA-specific. They handle business debt and tax resolution - including Rhode Island Division of Taxation issues.
Rhode Island’s Dual Usury Framework: Strong Protection for MCA Borrowers
Rhode Island hands your attorney a loaded gun - and the funders know it. The state’s two-tier usury framework caps civil interest at 21% (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-26-2) and criminal usury at 30% (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-26-4). MCA contracts charging 100-400% APR blow past both thresholds. Stack New York’s 25% criminal cap (Penal Law § 190.40) on top of that, and your attorney has three separate usury defenses to fight with. That is a powerful position.
Rhode Island’s economy is driven by healthcare (the state’s largest employer sector), education (Brown University, RISD, and other institutions), defense and shipbuilding (Electric Boat in North Kingstown), tourism (Newport, Block Island), financial services, and manufacturing. Providence’s restaurant scene and small retail businesses are frequent MCA targets. The Rhode Island Deceptive Trade Practices Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-1 et seq.) provides additional protections against predatory lending practices.
What Happens When a Rhode Island Business Defaults on an MCA
Default means frozen bank accounts, UCC liens filed with the Rhode Island Secretary of State, and personal asset seizures. That’s the bad news. The good news? Rhode Island restricts COJs, and the 2019 CPLR §3218 reform bans New York COJs against out-of-state borrowers. And Rhode Island’s $500,000 homestead exemption (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-4.1) means your home is protected. You have options - but you need to act now.
Scenario 1: Rhode Island Business Facing a COJ
Rhode Island restricts confessions of judgment. Combined with the 2019 CPLR §3218 reform banning New York COJs against out-of-state borrowers, Rhode Island businesses have strong COJ protection. If a funder attempts to domesticate a pre-2019 New York COJ in Rhode Island, your attorney can block it.
Strategy: Use Rhode Island’s COJ restrictions and the CPLR reform to negotiate a settlement of 30-50% from a position of strength. Rhode Island’s dual usury caps (21% civil, 30% criminal) provide additional use.
Scenario 2: Stacked MCAs in Rhode Island
Under UCC § 9-607, lenders file UCC-1 liens with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. Providence restaurants, Warwick retail businesses, Cranston service companies, and Newport tourism operators are frequently caught in MCA stacking during seasonal downturns.
Strategy: Chapter 11 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island. Rhode Island’s $500,000 homestead exemption is among the most generous in the nation, protecting significant home equity. Or use cash flow reality with 6 months of bank statements showing unsustainable ACH withdrawals.
Scenario 3: Predatory Terms & Usury Violations
Rhode Island caps civil interest at 21% (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-26-2) and criminal interest at 30% (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-26-4). MCA contracts with 100-400% APRs exceed both thresholds by 3-19 times. Under NY Gen. Oblig. Law § 5-501, the criminal usury threshold is 25%. The Yellowstone judgment voided $534 million in MCA debt.
Strategy: Triple usury defense under Rhode Island’s 21% civil cap, Rhode Island’s 30% criminal threshold, and NY’s 25% criminal threshold. The Rhode Island Deceptive Trade Practices Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-1) provides additional use.
Why New York Law Governs Your Rhode Island MCA Contract
Your Rhode Island MCA contract designates New York law - and that gives your attorney even more firepower. NY’s 16% civil and 25% criminal usury caps apply. Combined with Rhode Island’s own 21% civil and 30% criminal caps, there are multiple paths to void the contract entirely. The CFPB’s classification of MCAs as “credit” further supports reclassification. Rhode Island’s proximity to New York and its position in the Northeast corridor mean many RI businesses deal with the same MCA funders operating out of New York.
How to Choose an MCA Defense Attorney for Your Rhode Island Business
1. MCA-specific experience? Ask about COJ challenges, usury defenses under both Rhode Island and New York law, and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
2. Licensed attorneys involved? You need attorneys filing motions and challenging UCC liens with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
3. Fee structure? 18-25% of enrolled debt after results. No upfront fees. Rhode Island regulates debt management under R.I. Gen. Laws § 19-14.8.
Top MCA Defense Firms for Rhode Island - 2026
Only Delancey Street offers true MCA defense for Rhode Island businesses with attorney-coordinated COJ challenges, usury defenses, and UCC lien disputes.
Delancey Street
This is what real MCA defense looks like - COJ challenges, triple usury defenses (RI 21% civil + RI 30% criminal + NY 25%), UCC disputes, emergency motions. Over $100M settled. No upfront fees.
National Debt Relief
Not MCA-specific. They only handle general unsecured business debt - not merchant cash advances.
CuraDebt
Not MCA-specific. Handles debt and tax resolution including Rhode Island Division of Taxation issues.
Frequently Asked Questions - MCA Defense in Rhode Island
Your Search Is Over.
Delancey Street’s attorneys use Rhode Island’s dual usury caps (21% civil, 30% criminal), COJ restrictions, and $500K homestead exemption alongside NY usury defenses. Over $100M settled.
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No attorney-client relationship is formed. Debt settlement may have tax consequences.
Delancey Street is not a law firm. Attorney services provided by independent, licensed attorneys within the Delancey Street network.
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