Lynn Ellen Coleman

I offer personal, compassionate assistance with debt and consumer law issues to persons in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina.

• Collections Defense
• Student Loan Law
• General Civil

• Skype
• Zoom
• WebEx

• Free Consultation
  I offer a free online or telephone consultation.
• Credit Cards Accepted
  Debit cad only for bankruptcy. Credit card (all major cards) for other areas.
• Contingent Fees
  For certain consumer law cases only.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  I offer flat fees, contingency fees, and hourly fees depending upon the nature of the case.

North Carolina

Since 2000

Texas

1986-2000

St. Mary's University School of Law

J.D. | Law

1983 - 1986

Trinity University

B.S. | History, Political Science

1979 - 1982

North Carolina State Bar

Member

Current

National Association of Consumer Advocates

Member

2010 - Current

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys

Member

2009 - Current

North Carolina Bar Association

Member

1999 - Current

Q. Non-judgement bankruptcy question.

January 14, 2025

A: We cannot answer this question without more information. I assume the attorneys fees were awarded against you. You did not give us any description of what specific civil rights violation you were found liable for (what the ALJ found that you did). Certain debts are not dischargeable in bankruptcy, including damages for willful or malicious injury. Your bankruptcy attorney can give you the specific reason why this challenge is being made. There are deadlines to object to discharge of a debt, and that deadline may be different than the deadline for the other party to file the request for a judgment. The other party will have to file a Motion to lift the bankruptcy stay to proceed with the Federal court action in addition to an objection to discharge. Your bankruptcy attorney may charge you additional attorneys fees to defend an Motion to Lift Stay and an objection to discharge (refer to your fee agreement). The amount of the attorneys fee award is also relevant. I hope that explaining the factors involved will help you reach a decision in consultation with your bankruptcy attorney. ... Read More

Q. My attorney used all of my retainer then withdrew from my case a few days later. Can i get a partial refund?

January 13, 2025

A: Your attorney is entitled to be compensated based upon the terms of your fee contract. It is impossible to predict if the attorney's retention of the retainer is justified because we do not know when the medical issues arose. You are entitled to an explanation of what work the attorney did, and a copy of your file. It would be helpful if this attorney would refer you to another attorney who could continue the representation. I suggest you contact the NC State Bar and file a Fee Dispute Petition. You can find out information about this by looking online at this link (copy and paste, scroll down to see the fee dispute process)

https://www.ncbar.gov/for-the-public/i-am-having-a-dispute-with-a-lawyer/alternatives-to-filing-a-grievance/

A lawyer is required to withdraw from representation when their physical or mental condition materially impairs their ability to represent the client. Howeve, a lawyer is not required to disclose sensitive medical information in order to justify withdrawal. You may feel that you are being ripped off or the lawyer is bailing on you for no reason, but hopefully your lawyer had your best interest at heart and realized that he/she was unable to do a good job for you.

I hope this advice helps. ... Read More

Q. I put up a title for a loan, but the title was sent back to me by mistake, what could the title company do ?

December 27, 2024

A: As the attorney from Pennsylvania noted, there are court processes available for them to take if they want to get the lien put back on the title. They also can sue you for the balance due once you stop paying on the loan and get a money judgment without seeking possession of the vehicle. This can easily be done in small claims court or District Court. There is no jail or wage garnishment in North Carolina from a judgment for money owed, but judgments may accrue post judgment interest and can affect you for as long as 20 years (depending if the creditor takes steps to renew an unpaid judgment after 10 years). Whether or not they will sue is hard to judge. You should seek specific advice from an attorney licensed in North Carolina who has experience helping people with financial problems, such as a qualified consumer bankruptcy attorney. I'm assuming this title loan was obtained in South Carolina since you live in the Charlotte area and "title loans" are illegal in North Carolina. Go speak with a local consumer bankruptcy attorney, most experienced ones in that area are likely familiar with the title lenders across the state line. ... Read More