Are you thinking of debt settlement to avoid bankruptcy?
YOU’VE probably seen a lot of these ads: “Settle your debts for pennies on the dollar!”, “Reduce your debts legally without filing bankruptcy!” “Stop bill collectors now and pay them…
Category: Consumer Columnists
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Protecting your pets upon passing
APPROXIMATELY 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats are owned in the United States (ASPCA Pet Statistics). About 52% of California households own a pet (American Veterinary Medical Association 2011…
Filipina domestic employee wins $827,506 in wage trial
A FILIPINA domestic employee won her wage claims against her former employers after a court trial held in Los Angeles Superior Court. Linda Alzate (not her real name), an immigrant…
All about the fair debt collection practices act
THE Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that was enacted in 1978 by the United States Congress to protect consumers from abusive debt collectors. Note, however,…
Excluding sexual misconduct from arbitration (Ensuring employee access to the courts)
DEBORAH Pierce, an emergency room doctor, brought a sex discrimination claim against the employer that had fired her. She had evidence that the employer had a pattern of denying women…
Business tax provisions
1. THE new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cuts corporate taxes from eight graduated rates of 15 percent to 35 percent to a flat rate of 21 percent. 2. The…
Reduce your stress by reducing your debt
HAVE debt problems taken over your life? Do you lie awake at night thinking how in the world you’re going to pay back your debts while still being able to…
Death of a taxpayer
Part 1 WHAT you need to know when your loved one dies or when you die? What is meant by Final Form 1040, filing of Form 1041 and Form 706?…
Senior seeks Chapter 13 protection for fully paid house from $15K in credit card debt
THE client is a young senior in his early 60s who took an early retirement last year. He owes $15,000 of credit card debt and nothing else. He has a…
Illegal work discrimination based on sex orientation
JAMES Pearl was hired in 2002 by the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation. In 2006, he was promoted as a wastewater collection supervisor. In 2011, he was transferred to an…
20 individual tax provisions
HERE’S a list of tax provisions of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act affecting individuals like you and me. 1. The new Tax Cut and Jobs Act keeps seven tax…
Do you have more debt than you can handle?
MOST people don’t talk about their debts because they find that conversation embarrassing. They can talk to their friends and family about everything else but when it comes to the…
Clarifying California’s rules on breaks
Q: I have just entered the work force and I work in the service industry on 12-hour shifts. My supervisor says I am entitled to one 30-minute lunch break and…
Education provisions
THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act saves the student loan interest deduction and keeps tuition waivers for graduate students tax-free. It also expands 529 savings accounts to include private K-12 education….
What really causes people to file bankruptcy?
A LOT of people who don’t have a clue about how bankruptcy works are sometimes too quick to judge others who find bankruptcy as their only option to get out…
What you need to know about pretax plans
THE only means an employer can offer employees between taxable and nontaxable benefits is through section 125 plan. What are a section 125 plan, a cafeteria plan, and the IRS…
Repo deficiency causes senior to seek Chapter 7 relief
THE first client is 75 years old. Her husband passed four years ago and left her with $30,000 of credit card debt. She has been making minimum payments on their…
“Independent contractor” classification can be a bad bargain for workers
Q: I work as a travelling technician or ompany. Recently, my employer asked me to sign an “independent contractor” agreement and told me that I will now be receiving a 1099 instead…
What you should know about the new tax law P6
Part 6: Homeowners 1. THE Tax Cut and Jobs Act reduces the maximum amount of mortgage debt to acquire a first or second residence for which you can claim itemized…
When debt problems cause marriage problems
EVERY day, I meet with couples who are deeply in debt. In a lot of cases, I can feel the stress level that they are experiencing while the couple is…
Client files Chapter 13 while hoping for a loan modification of mortgage
A CLIENT has had an ongoing “battle” with Wells Fargo for justice on her mortgage since 2007. It’s been nine years since she made the mistake of refinancing her fully…
Should employers be liable for sex harassment by non-employees?
M.F. worked for Pacific Pearl Hotel Management, LLC as a housekeeper at its five-building hotel property. One morning, the hotel’s engineering manager saw a drunk trespasser with a beer in…
What you should know about the new tax law Part 3: Business
THE business tax provisions of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act include: • The new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cuts corporate taxes from eight graduated rates of 15 percent…
Warning to people who are thinking of hiring a debt settlement company
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…
California updates: Part 1
Audit Issues: If you claim deductions for medical expenses, charitable contributions, and employee business expenses in Schedule A of your Federal Form 1040 do not be surprised if you received…
Food retailer client seeks Chapter 7 relief
THE client is a specialty food retailer who started operations in a commercial center two years ago. Five partners invested $50,000 each for a total of $250,000 for a food…
Is obesity protected under disability discrimination laws?
KETRYN Cornell has been diagnosed as severely obese since childhood with a body mass index of over 50. Her weight interferes with daily life functions, including bathing and walking. She…
What you should know about the new tax law Part 2: Deductions
1. MORTGAGE interest deduction has been lowered: Current homeowners can continue to deduct interest on loans of $1 million; however, new homeowners will be limited to interest on loans of…
Are you worried about filing bankruptcy?
ARE you one of many people who needs to file bankruptcy but you are afraid that it may be the worst mistake you can ever make in your life? Are…
Federal tax update part 2: 2017 and 2018 H.R.1
2017 versus 2018 tax rates: individual income tax rates in 2017 in percentage are 10, 15, 25, 28, 33, 35, and 39.6. The 2018 rates in percentage are 10, 12,…