Stephanie Lane

Stephanie Lane has been a licensed attorney in Ohio for fourteen years, practicing before federal, state and local courts.   She is co-founder and partner of a boutique Cleveland law firm that concentrates in  such areas as contract disputes, employment and civil rights, foreclosures and collections, and   landlord-tenant issues.   She has assisted financially-challenged individuals and businesses in obtaining satisfactory debt workouts, mortgage loan modifications, and bankruptcy relief.   Before entering private practice, she interned for two years with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.   She graduated from the University of Akron with a B.A. in Public Speaking and Interpersonal Communications, magna cum laude, in 1995, and earned her law degree (J.D.) in 1998 from Case Western Reserve University.

Find Stephanie at Schmelzer & Lane LLC.  Stephanie can also be found on google+, Nolo, & Alllaw.


Articles By Stephanie Lane

Are My Retirement Accounts Protected From Judgment Creditors in California?
If you live in California and a creditor gets a judgment against you, that judgment creditor may be able to collect from your retirement account.
Debt Collection Defense: Requiring That the Collector Document the Debt
If the collector or debt buyer can't prove it owns the debt, you might have a defense to a collection lawsuit.
Can a debt collector leave a message on voicemail?
Under the federal FDCPA, collectors may leave only limited-content voicemails.
The statute of limitations ran out on my credit debt. Can the collection agency still contact me?
If the statute of limitations—the time period in which a creditor must sue you—has run on an old credit card debt, a collection agency can still contact you and ask you to pay up. Read on to learn what the statute of limitations is, and why the creditor or collector can still demand payment from you.
Can Judgment Creditors Go After My Retirement Accounts?
If a creditor gets a judgment against you and you have a retirement account, then the judgment creditor may be able to seize all or part of the account. This will depend on whether your account is an ERISA-qualified retirement acount or a non-ERISA account. ERISA accounts are generally protected from
What Is a 2004 Examination in Bankruptcy?
While your bankruptcy case is pending, any person or entity with an interest in your bankruptcy can request an opportunity to investigate matters related to you.
I can't afford my car payments. Can I give the car back to the bank?
If you can't afford your car payments, you can give the car back to your car loan lender. But think carefully before you do this -- you might still owe the lender money.
Car Repossession: Redemption v. Reinstatement
If your car is repossessed, you might be able to get it back through redemption or reinstatement. Most states allow you to redeem your car (pay the full balance due, plus costs and fees).
Remedies for FCRA Violations
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have a right to the fair and accurate reporting of your credit information.
How long does a creditor have to collect on a judgment against me?
Question How long does a creditor have to collect on a judgment against me? Answer That depends on the laws of your state, and the method that the creditor uses to try and collect on that judgment. Usually, judgments are valid for several years before they expire or “lapse.” In some states, a judgment