THIS Sunday, January 22 is, as most people know, Chinese New Year of the Rabbit for 2023. The New Year is also using the element of water; therefore, it’s the year of the water rabbit, which Elmer Fudd calls “Wabbit”. Elmer Fudd is a cartoon character, who’s mostly involved with “Bugs Bunny” and Fudd calls him…
Q: I previously worked as a clerk in a large office. I used to like working there, but recently my manager made me so miserable at work. It started when I requested time off to have a contraceptive implant. I had mentioned it to a colleague and I’m guessing she told my manager, who told…
THE Constitution of the United States of America allows bankruptcy to its citizens and residents to allow them to become productive again if they are saddled with accumulated debt. The Supreme Court calls Chapter 7 bankruptcy “the fresh start.” You may have good income but debt repayment could be eating up all of your disposable…
IF you just received the dreaded first letter from the IRS saying that you owe them money, don’t despair. Perhaps you had a balance owing on your last tax return (or returns from past years) that you couldn’t pay. Maybe you got audited and you didn’t have the chance to respond. Perhaps you took money…
There is never the perfect time to think about who you would like to inherit from your estate in case you pass away or at least who among your closest friends (BFFs) and family members are even deserving of inheriting from your estate. In doing so, you should also think about which vehicle you plan…
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 question a lot from our family law clients. The fact is that California is a no fault state and you do not need your spouse’s…
THE COVID-19 pandemic caused significant business disruptions. However, numerous businesses have been denied insurance relief for the losses they incurred. Some have turned to the courts for help only to again be denied. But in a recent victory for the insured, the California Court of Appeals found that a popular San Francisco restaurant, John’s Grill,…
When people are going through financial difficulty and are unable to pay their bills, their first reaction is often to ignore their debts and avoid contact with creditors. They think that by doing this, somehow the creditors will simply give up and go away. Then one day they get a summons delivered to their home…
What is timing? In life, as we all know, there’s such a thing called timing. Like the timing is right. Or, the timing is wrong. If the timing is right, then good consequences flow from the decision made. If the timing is wrong, then bad consequences flow from the decision made. Let’s say you just…
Q: I was fired from work last week and another co-worker also quit at around the same time. Our employer told us both to sign an “exit form” and a “release.” We were told that we would not get our final paycheck if we do not sign these documents. Is this legal? A: If an…
THE client is a single mom and a professional with good six figures income. In 2018, a friend approached her with a business for sale. The client had never been in business before but was interested in the prospect of making more money. According to the sellers of the business, it makes a net profit…
ALL property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in California is community property. Family Code 760. However, there are situations in which the marriage may be held to be null and void. These situations include, but are not limited to entering into a bigamous marriage, fraud…
Are you struggling with debt problems and don’t know what to do? Are you doing your best to pay but simply can’t? Have you thought of filing bankruptcy but are afraid that this might not be the right solution to your problems? Filing bankruptcy is a personal decision that should be taken seriously. Whether or…
This is a common question among people contemplating divorce in California when the other spouse does not live in the state. California Courts have the power to grant a divorce, annulment, or legal separation if either party is domiciled in the state. Domicile is where a person lives and intends to remain. However, there is…
Q: MY co-workers and I are having problems not getting our meal breaks at work. We work 12-hour shifts, and the handbook says we’re supposed to get 2 meal breaks. The employer had each of us sign a waiver giving up one of our meal breaks when we were hired. But it’s hard to even…
SUNDAY is Christmas Day. The whole Christian world celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, 2020 years ago. Christians also celebrate the fact that God the Father, Yahweh, “I am who am,” who preceded all creation and who created everything chose a mere human, the Blessed Mother Mary, to be the mother…
Most people who are struggling with debt problems for the first time are often confused and don’t know what to do. They’ve never been in this situation before. They have always paid their bills on time. For the first time in their life, they are finding it difficult to fulfill their debt obligations. Bill collectors…
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 requires that U.S. Citizens sponsoring an alien for legal permanent residency execute an immigration form I-864 Affidavit of Support. This is an agreement between the U.S. Government and the Sponsor to promise to support the immigrant beneficiary seeking admission to the U.S. at a level…
Years ago, my firm represented an employee who was fired after he got a permanent partial disability due to a workplace injury. The employer reasoned that he was a potential “liability” because he could not fully meet all the physical requirements of his sales job, even though the employee had never been asked to perform…
YOU never know what life brings. That’s why you need divine protection from the adversities that life brings us. I told you time and again to pray the rosary and Psalm 91 for divine protection. We all need divine protection. We all know that we are all on this earth temporarily, just for a short…
Many people find themselves in the position of facing overwhelming debt, with constant calls from creditors and no obvious way out. For some, job loss sent them into a downward spiral, and they are now unable to pay their bills and meet their responsibilities. For others, a recent divorce or costly medical emergency drained their…
Q: I feel I am being harassed at work and my manager is not doing enough to stop it. My manager is calling asking me to come back, but I’m afraid I will have a mental breakdown if I do. I work in a residential rehab facility. One of the patients keeps asking me to…
One of the most emotional aspects of a marital dissolution case is dealing with child custody issues. Sadly enough, this is an area where most parents play games with each other trying their best to deprive the other parents of their right to maintain relationship with their child. Child custody comes in two parts, 1)…
THE Constitution of the United States of America allows bankruptcy to its citizens and residents to allow them to become productive again if they are saddled with accumulated debt. The Supreme Court calls Chapter 7 bankruptcy “the fresh start.” You may have good income but debt repayment could be eating up all of your disposable…
DO you want to get out of debt but are afraid that filing bankruptcy may only make things worse for you? Facing difficult financial times can be a frightening thing for a lot of people. When bill collectors are calling day and night, at some point, you realize that something must be done but you…
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 child. Family Code §7610. Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father…
Q: I WORKED as a caregiver in a nursing home. I complained to my manager that the owner’s husband was sexually harassing me, but she told me I was overreacting and told me I should be thankful I have a job. When I complained again after the owner’s husband touched me inappropriately, the manager called…
WHEN your financial circumstances are forcing you to declare bankruptcy, this can be one way of dealing with debts that you can no longer manage on your own. Of course, the decision should not be taken lightly, and it is best to consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney to see if it is best for…
DEAR Attorney Tan, I was driving home and was at a complete stop when another driver rear ended my car. I was not feeling well after the accident, as my back seemed very tight and stiff. I took some days off from work. After a week, I contacted the other driver’s insurance to report the…
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 child. Family Code §7610. Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father…
