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Meredith P. Ezzell

Meredith P. Ezzell

The Bankruptcy Center
4427 Junction Park Drive
Wilmington, NC 28412

Phone: (910) 799-6888  |  Fax: (910) 350-7877
http://www.ncbankruptcycenter.com/

Contact Meredith P. Ezzell

The Bankruptcy Center

Legal Topic

Bankruptcy

Preferred New Clients

I handle primarily Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases.

Sub-Categories

Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 7
  • Debt Relief
  • Garnishments
  • Business Bankruptcy
  • Creditor Harassment
  • Family Farmer Bankruptcy Chapter 12
  • Personal Bankruptcy
  • Foreclosures

Bar Admissions

NC,
Bar Number: 23094

Other Court Admissions

State and Federal Courts in the State of North Carolina.

Association Memberships

North Carolina State Bar, North Carolina Bar Association in the Bankruptcy Section, the State Chair for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA).

Continuing Education

I fulfill continuing education requirements through courses offered by the bankruptcy section of the North Carolina Bar and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. I always exceed the required amounts focusing specifically on bankruptcy. I have presented for circuit case updates at the Bar Association Bankruptcy Section's annual meeting numerous times.

Papers and Publications

I have published case updates as part of a continuing legal education manuscript.

Example Cases

In Chapter 13 cases, one is able to pay a specific debt in full if doing so to protect a non-filing co-debtor. I had a case where a trustee argued that it was inappropriate treatment, but I defended the right to do so in order to protect the debtor. The court agreed with me. Through Chapter 13, I've stopped foreclosure and helped people manage their debts. We routinely provide the debtor with a means to work out the arrearages which have accrued.

Education

Degree:

Juris Doctor

School:

Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, Campbell University

City:

Buies Creek

State:

NC

Year:

1996

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

North Carolina

Firm Focus and History

I started the firm in April of 2004 and I have been here in Wilmington since.

The focus of my firm is representation of consumer debtors in bankruptcy. I handle businesses cases in terms of Chapter 7 bankruptcy. An incorporated business cannot file a Chapter 13, but I do represent many debtors who are self-employed or sole proprietors.

Previous Employment Summary

I previously worked in Raleigh and Wilson, North Carolina in a variety of firms. I did many types of bankruptcy work from all perspectives ranging from trustees to creditors. I have run the gamut of bankruptcy representation. I've been practicing for twelve years now and bankruptcy has been my primary focus.

Activities and Awards

I am an active member of the bankruptcy section of the North Carolina Bar Association and I am the State Chair of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys for North Carolina.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I think that self-education is absolutely essential, particularly in the bankruptcy context. There are many things which a client probably cannot understand until he or she asks questions, but I am always appreciative when a client has done some reading on the subject.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

I am willing to review documents prepared by clients. In reality, there is a large amount of paperwork which clients will have to gather for me. The bankruptcy process is collaborative. Clients provide me with information and I put it into the proper format.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I will not work with anyone who wants to represent his or herself because of liability issues. I will not sign off on anything without having prepared a case and documents myself.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I truly always wanted to be a lawyer. I think the ability to challenge myself on a daily basis and help others is great. I know that no one is happy to see a bankruptcy attorney; my hope is that I can help people through difficult times and get them a fresh start which bankruptcy offers.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

All of my prior work experience, in other areas of bankruptcy law, makes me a better consumer bankruptcy lawyer. I know what trustee and creditor issues might come up because I have perspective. I have experienced a period of unemployment myself since becoming a lawyer. After the bankruptcy reform law was passed in 2005, bankruptcy lawyers experienced a sharp decline in work, so I know what it's like to be worried about covering rent. I am not a tall building lawyer.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

I chose my primary area of practice because of a summer job I had in law school. It was sort of happenstance, but the more I focused on it, the more I realized that it was a good primary area for me.

What do you like best about your career?

I like helping my clients and the sense of satisfaction that I get from knowing that I have helped to save somebody's house. What I do is give my clients the opportunity to succeed; nothing makes me happier than when a client does so.

Tell us about your law firm:

I am a solo practitioner, so all the clients deal directly with me in terms of the attorney. I have a wonderful assistant named Wanda who is has been a legal assistant for 20 years. She has a wealth of knowledge and is sensitive to the needs of my clients. Clients will always be dealing with one of the two of us. That is one of the best things about my practice.

What are your strengths and style?

I work well with people and my goal is to give my client the opportunity to succeed. I am willing to do whatever is necessary to provide that opportunity. I am very empathetic since I know what it's like to be worried about where the mortgage payments are coming from. There is certainly no judgment here, because I know the reality of this world. People file bankruptcy because they've had an issue, not because they've been living high on the hog.

Personal Interests:

I live at the beach and I'm a big fan of live music. I also enjoy exercising.

Office Manager/Assistant

Wanda.

Fax

(910) 350-7877

Office Hours

Monday through Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Emergency After Hours

No

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

Bankruptcy is generally a flat fee business. The fee for a Chapter 7 is generally between $1,000 and $2,000 including filing fees and attorney's fees. The fee for a Chapter 13 is $3,000, but I split it into an upfront portion and a portion paid through the plan. The upfront portion is always going to be in the $1,000 to $2,000 range, which also goes toward filing fees and attorney's fees.

Hourly Rates

$200 per hour.

Free Initial Consultation?

I do offer a free 30-minute consultation. Beyond that, I charge based on time.

Typical Retainer

The typical retainer is between $300 and $500 dollars, which is applied in the aforementioned flat fee.

Understanding Fees

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