[COLUMN] My house needs major repairs and I need to sell now
IF you’re in this situation, your question is probably – “Do I need to make repairs?” The quick answer is “No, you don’t need to make any repairs.” The real…
Category: Consumer Columnists
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[COLUMN] How to obtain custody and visitation rights for unmarried dads
Establishing parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the…
[COLUMN] Why more and more seniors are filing bankruptcy
According to a new report, the number of seniors filing bankruptcy is increasing rapidly. The average senior who files bankruptcy these days owes approximately $17,390 according to the report (although…
[COLUMN] When a job termination is illegal retaliation
AFROUZ Nikmanesh worked as a pharmacist for Walmart for more than 10 years. During her time as a Walmart pharmacist, Dr. Nikmanesh reported several noncompliance issues to management. These included…
[COLUMN] Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT)
Biden tax plan series WHAT is a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT)? A Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) is used in estate planning to minimize taxes on large financial gifts to family…
[COLUMN] Why the disparity in monthly credit card payments?
THE first client is a senior who still earns $120K a year as a registered nurse but owes $130K of credit cards. The second client is also a senior who…
[COLUMN] Should you modify your child and spousal support obligation if you lose your job?
IF you have an existing child support or spousal support obligation (court order) and you are laid off from your job causing a major loss of income, you may want…
[COLUMN] How bankruptcy helps when you’re stuck in debt
MANY people find themselves in the position of facing overwhelming debt, with constant calls from creditors and no apparent way out. For some, job loss sent them into a downward…
[COLUMN] Estate tax rate changes
Biden tax plan series WHAT Is an Estate Tax? An estate tax is a levy on estates whose value exceeds an exclusion limit. Only the amount that exceeds that minimum threshold is…
[COLUMN] Who else should be liable for compensating the seriously injured?
QUICHANG Zhu (72 years old) and her grandson, Jian Hao Kuang (6 years old), were using a crosswalk to cross a street in Sacramento, CA. The intersection has no traffic…
[COLUMN] Young client seeks Chapter 7 discharge of $300K in credit card debt for fresh start
WHEN I say client is young, I mean client is young, in her twenties. She is married and has a son, a toddler. Before becoming a mother, she was working…
[COLUMN] Should you modify your child and spousal support obligation if you lose your job?
IF you have an existing child support or spousal support obligation (court order) and you are laid off from your job causing a major loss of income, you may want…
[COLUMN] ‘Help! Can I file bankruptcy again?’
I’VE been asked this question a few times lately, so I decided to write an article on it. If you have filed bankruptcy before, you may be wondering whether it’s…
[COLUMN] Itemized deductions
Biden tax plan series WHAT are itemized deductions? Itemized deductions are expenses that can be deducted from your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to reduce your taxable income. Such deductions permit you to…
[COLUMN] Can a divorcing couple agree to pay for their adult children’s college expenses in their divorce judgment?
Divorcing couples with children sometimes worry about who is going to pay for their children’s college education after the divorce once their children graduates high school. They want a guarantee…
[COLUMN] How’s the housing market?
Ending the month of October 2021, the Southern California housing market continued to appreciate in comparison to the prior year (Oct 2020)*. Los Angeles County showed an increase of 6.7%…
[COLUMN] Can a divorcing couple agree to pay for their adult children’s college expenses in their divorce judgment?
Divorcing couples with children sometimes worry about who is going to pay for their children’s college education after the divorce once their children graduates high school. They want a guarantee…
[COLUMN] What is a 100% plan in Chapter 13?
CLIENTS are husband and wife in their fifties. Their combined household income is a gross of $140,000 annually. They own a house with equity of $300,000 in LA. They have…
[COLUMN] Granting employees intermittent leave is reasonable accommodation
Q: I HAVE a heart condition that has become worse recently. I need to see my doctor periodically or when I feel dizzy or short of breath. This means I…
[COLUMN] Bankruptcy can be the first step to financial recovery
I remember the story of a poor, old beggar who died one day- and to everyone’s surprise, a money belt found wrapped around his waist contained thousands of dollars in…
[COLUMN] How to naturalize as a US citizen
TO most immigrants, obtaining their greencard has been a long and challenging journey. However, it should not be regarded as the final destination. The real American dream is to become…
[COLUMN] Top corporate income tax rate
Biden tax plan series WE have been concerned about President Biden’s proposal to raise the federal corporate income tax rate from 21% to 28%. Lawmakers have suggested raising the rate to 25%. Including…
[COLUMN] Termination of employee during medical treatments violates disability discrimination laws
Albert and Stephanie Garcia, a married couple, were hired in 2013 by Sierra Management to work as on-site managers of an 81-unit apartment building in Canoga Park. The Garcias were…
[COLUMN] Client files Chapter 13 for $400K unsecured debt
THIS is what I call a borderline Chapter 7 case with asset. Therefore, it is the better part of caution not to file Chapter 7 because the asset may be…
[COLUMN] Bankruptcy can be the first step to financial recovery
I remember the story of a poor, old beggar who died one day- and to everyone’s surprise, a money belt found wrapped around his waist contained thousands of dollars in…
[COLUMN] How to naturalize as a US citizen
TO most immigrants, obtaining their greencard has been a long and challenging journey. However, it should not be regarded as the final destination. The real American dream is to become…
[COLUMN] How’s the housing market?
AT the end of September 2021, the Southern California housing market continued to increase in comparison to the prior year (September 2020)*. Los Angeles County showed an increase of 8.7%…
[COLUMN] Reduce your debt by filing Chapter 13
ARE you struggling to pay your debts every month, especially your credit cards? Do you barely have anything left to pay your mortgage, rent, food and other basic living expenses…
[COLUMN] Client relies on 3 bankruptcies in 12 years to save house, wipe out debts
I recently finished attending the telephonic bankruptcy hearing with my client and am reminded of his bankruptcy saga over the last 12 years. The client is married and 82 years…
[COLUMN] ‘Silenced no more’ laws: Employees may disclose acts of discrimination & harassment
IN the wake of the #MeToo movement, there has been a lot of attention focused on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), also known as confidentiality agreements (CAs). Sexual harassment victims who agreed to settle their…