[COLUMN] Break the shackles of debt after COVID
A PEDESTRIAN is crossing a typically busy street in a marked mid-block crosswalk. A car approaching the cross walk in the slow lane sees the pedestrian crossing and stops for…
Category: Consumer Columnists
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[COLUMN] Starting a new life after bankruptcy
IF you are in debt and are seriously considering bankruptcy as an option, I am sure a lot of thoughts are going through your mind. I just want to get…
[COLUMN] Investing in value stocks
Investors who use fundamental analysis are often broken into two categories: Value investors place a higher priority current stock price. Growth investors place a higher priority on the future prospects. Let’s discuss Value…
[COLUMN] Traumatic brain injury
TYPICALLY, traumatic brain injury cases arise in personal-injury cases involving the negligence of a third person. These types of cases arise from motor-vehicle accidents, vehicle-pedestrian accidents, injuries arising from a…
[COLUMN] Debtor owes $100K credit cards, spouse owes $30K: Single or joint bankruptcy filing?
THE debtor is 50, while the spouse is 48. They have two children — a son aged 18, and a daughter aged 16. The son is about to go to…
[COLUMN] Fired employees must be given final paycheck immediately
Q: Four weeks ago, I was fired from work. My employer told me my last paycheck will be mailed to me by next payday. I have not received it yet….
[COLUMN] Are you trapped in debt with no way out?
BEING in debt and doing nothing about it can have more serious consequences than you think. First of all, it can impact your financial future. Uncontrolled debt can deprive you…
[COLUMN] Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse refuses to sign?
THERE seems to be a misconception in the general public that you can only obtain a divorce in California if your spouse will sign the divorce papers. I get this…
[COLUMN] ‘Salaried’ employees may still be entitled to overtime pay
Q: MY job title is “manager.” I work at least 10 hours per day, 6 to 7 days per week. While I supervise a few employees, I mostly do the…
[COLUMN] Value versus growth investing
HOW do you pick stocks to buy? Well, it depends on your overall strategy: short or long-term holding, value or growth, your aversion to risk, among other things. For now,…
[COLUMN] Section 704.730 amended: Increasing homestead exemptions from $300K to $600K
DOES this sound right? It’s almost incredible, but it’s true. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1885 into law and it is the current law on homestead exemptions effective…
[COLUMN] California bicycle laws
AS we all know, California has the perfect weather and scenery for those of us who enjoy riding bicycles. Besides using bicycling as a form of exercise, it is also…
[COLUMN] How do you know if a stock is overvalued?
A STOCK is overvalued when its price can’t be justified by its fundamentals and earnings outlook. Overvalued stocks are risky and subject to selloffs. Specifically, stock is overvalued stocks when:…
[COLUMN] Can my boss force me to get a COVID vaccine?
Q: MY work requires personal interaction with several people on a daily basis. We are getting back to the worksite after working from home for over a year. My employer…
[COLUMN] What is 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] What are the common questions about bankruptcy? Here are some answers
IS there a constitutional right to file for bankruptcy? Yes, there is. The United States Constitution adopted 250 years ago provides for the creation of bankruptcy courts and the power…
[COLUMN] Sooner or later, you will need to face your debt problems
FACING difficult financial times can be a frightening thing for a lot of people. When bill collectors are hounding you, at some point, you realize that something must be done…
[COLUMN] IRS to automatically correct unemployment taxation on your tax return
Unemployment benefits are fully taxed by the IRS. However, the recent American Rescue Plan makes the first $10,200 of unemployment benefits tax-free for 2020. President Joe Biden signed the Plan…
[COLUMN] Filing for bankruptcy when everything seems hopeless
THIS is one thing I hear from people all the time: “If you ask me, I really hate doing this, but I feel I have no choice.” Of course, no…
[COLUMN] Is now a good time for filing bankruptcy?
IF you live in Los Angeles County, or in Southern California — including the counties of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino County — and you own the house that you…
[COLUMN] How debt settlement can help you avoid bankruptcy
YOUR credit card payments are past due. You’re confused and don’t know what to do. The bill collectors are calling you non-stop and writing you threatening letters. What do you…
[COLUMN] Senior needs Chapter 13 to protect house from creditors of a failed business
THE client is 71. Her husband died five years ago, so she lives with her unmarried son who does not have full time or steady employment. She has a large…
[COLUMN] Family leave rights for both expecting parents
Q: My spouse and I are expecting a baby and we are trying to figure out how much family leave we are entitled to so we can each spend quality…
[COLUMN] Biden’s tax plan update
PRESIDENT Joe Biden’s $6 trillion budget proposal offers new major initiatives like child and elder care subsidies, generous tax credits for families and the working poor, and free community college….
[COLUMN] Should you be paid for work before you clock-in?
Q: I WORK as a “team member” in the service industry in Los Angeles. Before we clock-in for our shift, we are required to attend a “huddle,” or a meeting…
[COLUMN] Couple wonders how to tackle debt relief for wife
LET me give you the background on this case. The husband is 81 but still looks active. He is slim and sprightly. The wife is 79 and looks nervous. Normally,…
[COLUMN] How to reduce your chances of IRS audit in 2021
THE IRS was underfunded under the Trump Administration. It didn’t have enough personnel to accomplish its goal. With skeleton force, audit rate declined to only 1/2 percent (less than half…
[COLUMN] Chapter 13 debt adjustment: Pay less of what you owe
CHAPTER 13 is the section of the US Bankruptcy Code that allows individuals in the United States to reorganize their finances. If you are having difficulty paying your debts (credit…
[COLUMN] 6 reasons the IRS could audit you
1. Failing to report some income Failing to report subcontract, interest, or dividend income are easy ways to attract an audit. I know that it’s tempting not to report income…
[COLUMN] ‘Unapproved’ overtime must still be paid
Q: I WORK as a nurse at a facility that has a strict policy of no unapproved overtime. We don’t often ask for approval since we risk being written up…