Practice Area
Civil Litigation
Contract, property, business, and collection disputes in North Carolina state courts and federal court.
When a disagreement cannot be resolved across a table, it ends up in court. The firm represents individuals and small businesses in civil disputes in North Carolina’s District and Superior Courts and, where appropriate, in federal court. Paul Scott Lipof is licensed in North Carolina, Florida, and the District of Columbia and handles each matter personally.
Disputes the firm handles
- Contract disputes — breach of contract, enforcement, and defense for both businesses and individuals; see also contracts and construction law for the drafting side.
- Property and boundary disputes — easements, access, encroachments, adverse possession, and quiet-title actions, supported by the firm’s title and real estate experience.
- Business disputes — disagreements among owners, partnership and operating-agreement disputes, and dissolution.
- Collections — pursuing money owed, and defending those pursued.
- Real estate litigation — failed closings, specific performance, and disputes arising out of a purchase or sale.
- Estate and trust disputes — see Estate and Trust Litigation for will caveats and fiduciary claims.
A measured approach
Litigation is expensive and slow, and most disputes are better resolved by negotiation, mediation, or a well-timed motion than by trial. The firm gives you a candid read of the strength of your position and the likely cost before you commit, then pursues the most efficient path to a result. When a case must be tried, it is tried.
Where the firm appears
The firm appears in the courts of Clay County (Hayesville), Cherokee County (Murphy), Macon County (Franklin), and Graham County (Robbinsville), and in the federal courts of the Western District of North Carolina.
Common Questions
How much does it cost to sue someone in North Carolina?
Cost depends on the complexity of the dispute and how far it proceeds. Filing fees are modest; the expense is in discovery, motions, and trial preparation. The firm gives you a candid read on the likely cost and the strength of your position before you commit, and will say plainly when a claim costs more to pursue than it can recover.
How long does a civil case take in western North Carolina?
A straightforward District Court matter may resolve in several months. A Superior Court case with full discovery commonly runs a year or more. Most disputes settle before trial, often at mediation, which North Carolina requires in Superior Court civil actions.
Can you help with a boundary or easement dispute?
Yes. Boundary lines, easements, access across a neighbor's land, encroachments, adverse possession, and quiet-title actions are a regular part of the firm's work, supported directly by its real estate and title examination experience.
Do I have to go to trial?
Rarely. Most disputes resolve by negotiation, mediation, or a well-timed motion. Litigation is expensive and slow, and the firm pursues the most efficient path to a result. When a case must be tried, it is tried.