[COLUMN] Long-term capital gains new tax rates
Biden tax plan series WHAT are capital assets, capital gains and long-term capital gains? When you sell a capital asset for more than you paid for it, you realize a…
Category: Consumer Columnists
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[COLUMN] COVID-19 pandemic: Filing bankruptcy when necessary
MOST debt problems don’t go away and solve themselves. They are there when you go to bed at night, and they’re still there when you get up in the morning….
[COLUMN] How to prepare for Biden’s tax increases
Here are some ways to prepare for Biden’s tax increases: Accelerate 2022 income into 2021 to avail of lower tax rates in 2021. Defer 2021 deductions into 2022 when you…
[COLUMN] What to do with conditional green card status in troubled marriages
Marriage for many persons is the culmination of one’s life. Getting married signifies the beginning of a new phase in life, both socially and economically. For those persons who lack…
[COLUMN] What happens to your business if you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
THE client owns a restaurant that survived the pandemic with take-outs. The commercial lease for the restaurant is in the name of the client. The client is the sole proprietor…
[COLUMN] Do employees have remedies for claims too small to file in court?
I WORK for a company that shorts us on pay, nothing big, like 15 minutes of overtime two to three time per week and breaks that are not provided once…
[COLUMN] It’s a seller’s market, should I sell my house now?
Bottom line up front — it depends. It depends on your short-term and long-term goals. Currently, it’s a “seller’s market,” which means that there are more buyers than there are…
[COLUMN] Swing trading
Part 3 of 3 Swing trading captures short to medium-term gains over weeks or months (as opposed to day trading that captures gains in one day). The main difference between swing and…
[COLUMN] Private employers may soon require all its employees to be COVID vaccinated
Q: I work for a private company in California that is not in healthcare or education. My employer just sent a company-wide memo requiring that all employees must be vaccinated…
[COLUMN] Prospective client refuses to face reality of debt problems
Once in a while, there will be a prospective client who will come to see me to argue against himself. I say client argues against himself because he has decided…
[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] Insurance carrier’s duty to investigate
Maximizing the client’s recovery Insurance carriers have a duty to investigate all claims. This duty is the same regardless of the kind of insurance at issue. This duty applies to…
[COLUMN] Why hiring a debt settlement company can make your problems worse
IF you are delinquent on your debts, you may be able to avoid dealing with the bill collectors for a few months but sooner or later, you will still need…
[COLUMN] Employee rights and California mandates to get a COVID vaccine
Q: I HEARD California is requiring workers to be vaccinated. My employer just sent a memo to everyone saying that employees must be vaccinated in order to be allowed into…
[COLUMN] Will incorporating a separate property business during marriage make it community property?
YOU own a successful business, as a sole proprietor, prior to marriage. You later meet the love of your life and decide to marry her. Years into the marriage, you…
[COLUMN] Get out of debt, improve your life
YOU may not like what I have to say in this article. But oftentimes, the truth hurts. But if you find yourself broke every payday because of too much debt,…
[COLUMN] Car insurance follows the vehicle maximizing the client’s recovery
THE common misconception is that car insurance follows the driver. In reality, car insurance follows the vehicle. Under the “permissive use statute,” this means if you give another driver permission…
[COLUMN] The homestead exemption
WHAT about the homestead exemption? Let’s use the exact words of the law as to what is considered a homestead in California. Section 704.710 (c) of the California Code of…
[COLUMN] Day trading
THIS style is called “day trading” because securities are bought and sold within the same day. Day traders typically buy and sell securities within the same day, often multiple times…
[COLUMN] Can I sell my home without hiring a realtor?
YES, you can sell your home without a realtor. Property owners who sell their property without hiring a licensed real estate agent, are considered as a “for sale by owner”…
[COLUMN] Company wants to give me a 1099, not a W-2 – is this legal?
Q: I have been working as a caregiver for a healthcare agency in Los Angeles. My boss talked to me about signing an independent contractor agreement which will make me…
[COLUMN] Day trading versus swing trading
Highlights: Day traders typically buy and sell securities within the same day (even multiple times per day) while swing trading involves making trades over a few days, weeks, or months….
[COLUMN] Insurance companies taking advantage of social media and your injuries after any type of accident
IT is no secret that insurance is a multi-billion-dollar industry. The insurance industry and insurance companies have all the resources and money to spend in their efforts to take advantage…
[COLUMN] Bankruptcy can provide hope when everything looks hopeless
WHEN debts spiral out of control, bankruptcy can become an invaluable financial recovery tool in getting you back on the right track. While it’s not for everyone, close to a…
[COLUMN] What is a postnuptial agreement?
A postnuptial agreement is a contract between you and your spouse entered into after you get married resolving issues in your marriage. It is similar to a prenuptial agreement except…
[COLUMN] Who is an honest debtor or one in good faith?
THE honest debtor is the only debtor who can get a discharge in bankruptcy. But who is an honest debtor? If we go by layman’s definition just to get an…
[COLUMN] Fundamental analysis for stock trading
YOU can use two primary approaches to analyze a stock: fundamental analysis and technical analysis. Fundamental analysis involves looking at a company’s underlying business metrics, such as revenue, earnings and debt….
[COLUMN] Will incorporating a separate property business during marriage make it community property?
YOU own a successful business, as a sole proprietor, prior to marriage. You later meet the love of your life and decide to marry her. Years into the marriage, you…
[COLUMN] Things to consider before signing that severance or release agreement
A SEPARATION package or a severance agreement is a contract between an employer and an employee who is about to leave the employer’s employment. In a typical severance agreement, the…
[COLUMN] Get out of debt now: Safely and legally
ARE you sick and tired of being in debt and having bad credit? Do you want to start over but simply don’t know where to begin? Is filing bankruptcy an…