Lynn Ellen Coleman

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

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

North Carolina

Since 2000

Texas

1986-2000

• 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.

• Collections Defense
• Student Loan Law
• General Civil

Q. Can I request to unfreeze my bank account garnishment for NC state taxes and start an installment plan?

March 6, 2025

A: You should contact a bankruptcy lawyer for advice about filing Chapter 13 (I assume this is personal income tax). You may get a longer time to pay if you file bankruptcy, and you may actually get back the funds if you file quickly.

In my experience, the State of NC will not lift the freeze, they will take what is in there and then allow a payment plan, but the payment plan may not be affordable to you. However, my experience is from several years ago.

Q. I sent $8,200 to Liaz Legacy Solutions LLC in Statesville, NC, but they never provided the service. What should I do?

February 27, 2025

A: You can sue them in small claims court in Iredell County or any other county where they do business. This is a corporation so you will need to go to the Secretary of State's office and get their registered office and registered agent for service.

You will not be able to recover interest on the amount you paid them.

Here is a link to a helpful guide https://legalaidnc.org/resource/a-guide-to-small-claims-court/

(copy and paste the link).

You should also consider filing a complaint with the North Carolina Attorney General's office, Consumer Protection Division.

If you want to hire a lawyer you will need to look for a lawyer who handles general civil cases including collections against people. Do not expect any lawyer to accept this kind of case on a contingency fee, you will be quoted either a flat fee, an hourly fee, or a blended fee agreement that requires you to pay the attorney.

Read the agreement you had with them for services carefully, there may be an arbitration provision for any disputes.

Good luck! ... Read More

Q. How to file a motion to stay execution in NC for a money judgment?

February 26, 2025

A: On what grounds? The Court cannot "force" your creditor to talk to you, to negotiate or work out a payment plan. The creditor has every right to ask the Sheriff to take property to satisfy an unpaid judgment, and this one has been outstanding for over 4 months.

You best see a bankruptcy attorney ASAP because the bankruptcy stay is the only sure way to stop a writ of execution. Be aware that businesses have no right to claim exempt property. Do not delay seeing a bankruptcy attorney for some specific, thorough analysis and advice. I strongly discourage everyone from filing for bankruptcy without a lawyer.