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

Bank Levies on Joint Accounts (Nonspouse)
Creditors may be able to garnish a bank account (also referred to as levying the funds in a bank account) that you own jointly with someone else who is not your spouse.
Debt Buyers & Your Credit Report
When a debt buyer parks an old debt on your credit report or re-ages an account, it might be violating the FCRA.
Car Repossession vs. Replevin
If you default on your car loan payments, the lender can take your car back through repossession or replevin. Learn the difference.
Getting Your Car Back After Repossession
Learn about your options for getting your car, van, truck, or other vehicle back after it's been repossessed.
Defenses to Car Repossession Deficiency Lawsuits
If a car lender sues you for a deficiency after repossessing your car, you might have some defenses to the lawsuit.
Required Notices in Car Repossessions
If your car is repossessed, the lender must give you certain notices after the repossession and after it sells the car. But in most cases, it doesn't have to give you notice before repossessing the vehicle.
Options to Avoid Car Repossession
If you default on your car loan, the lender may repossess your vehicle and then it might go after you for the deficiency.
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).
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.