[COLUMN] Debt problems: How can bankruptcy protect you?
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…
Category: Business
Covering the week’s most noteworthy business news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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[COLUMN] Misclassification as independent contractors harms workers
JAMES Karl signed a sales associate agreement classifying him as an independent contractor with Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. a company that designs, manufactures, and markets medical products. Karl sold orthopedic…
LA looks to land banking to lower construction costs for affordable housing
By Pilar Marrero/Ethnic Media Services Los Angeles County is getting ready to launch a project that could lower existing barriers to building much-needed affordable housing in the region. The model,…
[COLUMN] Senior passes away right after Chapter 13 plan confirmation
AT 90 years old, this senior was my oldest client. Everything came crashing down on him during his golden years, unfortunately. He had a business, which looked like it never…
[COLUMN] Parent’s right to change child’s residence to another state in custody cases
Parents who are going through divorce and legal separation sometimes have to make a decision to move out of state for various reasons. It may be because their family network…
How to Start a Money Talk: Summer Money Tips for Kids
Remembering those first few paychecks you received for a summer job, babysitting gigs, or an allowance from your parents brings back the nostalgia of simpler times. Fast-forward to today, and…
[COLUMN] Is your small business running out of cash?
AS a business owner, you understand that cash is the life blood of your business. It is a precious commodity that cannot be ignored and must be used effectively. Shortage…
Dominic Ng appointed to chair APEC business advisory council during U.S. host year in 2023
The United States announces Dominic Ng, Chairman and CEO of East West Bank, who was appointed as a U.S. member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC)…
[COLUMN] Should you sign that severance agreement?
Q: I worked for many years for a company in Los Angeles. During the last year, I have felt that the company is no longer a good place for me…
[COLUMN] Can you get out of debt without filing bankruptcy?
IF you are searching for debt reduction solutions, no doubt you’ve been inundated with advertisements for various debt management programs, companies, and solutions. The choices seem confusing to the average…
[COLUMN] Client relieved she chose Chapter 7 instead of consolidation of $60K credit cards
THE client is 50 and has two grandchildren living with her who are teenagers still in high school. She is married but separated. She is not divorced from her husband….
[COLUMN] Reimbursement for community contribution towards a spouse’s education and student loan during marriage
ONE of the biggest problems of millennials and Gen Z are educational cost and student loan debt. This eats up a large part of a household’s budget even among married…
Embassy hosts FYLPRO 10th year anniversary: Reconnect and Reunite
WASHINGTON D.C. – In commemoration of its 10th anniversary, the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) held a reunion dinner at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex last July 22. The event…
[COLUMN] Protecting employee-applicants’ right to privacy
Q: I am new to applying for jobs so I am not very familiar with my rights as an employee-applicant. Some employers require me to fill out a simple application…
[COLUMN] Credit card debt problems: Is bankruptcy the answer?
If you are up to your eyeballs in credit card debt and have no way of paying back what you have borrowed, a lot of things may be going through…
[COLUMN] Exempt property vs. property not part of the bankruptcy estate
FILING a bankruptcy case creates a “bankruptcy estate.” The estate becomes the legal owner of all of the debtor’s property while the bankruptcy is going on. What does the estate…
[COLUMN] Parent’s right to change child’s residence to another state in custody cases
Parents that are going through divorce and legal separation sometimes have to make a decision to move out of state for various reasons. It may be because their family network…
[COLUMN] Fired for no reason – Is this ‘wrongful termination’?
Q: I worked in a company for over 5 years. A new manager, who did not like me and wanted to bring in his best friend to do my job,…
[COLUMN] Parent’s right to change child’s residence to another state in custody cases
Parents that are going through divorce and legal separation sometimes have to make a decision to move out of state for various reasons. It may be because their family network…
[COLUMN] Filing bankruptcy to get out of credit card debt
CREDIT card debt is the most troubling financial problem for a lot of people today. Currently there are millions of people who can’t even afford to pay more than the…
[COLUMN] Very senior client cornered by $34K credit cards
WHAT do I mean by “very senior client”? The client is 90 years old. Is that senior or what? He qualifies as my second most senior client being 92 ten…
Garcetti signs ordinance to increase minimum wage for health care workers in LA
LOS Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti signed an ordinance on Friday, July 8 into law raising the minimum wage for healthcare workers at certain private health care facilities to $25 per…
[COLUMN] Reporting on possible employer misconduct is protected by whistleblowing law
Charles Erhart worked as an internal auditor for BofI Federal Bank in San Diego, California. The Bank is a federally chartered savings and loan association and its holding company is…
[COLUMN] Debt problems: You can’t change the past, only the future
ARE you currently struggling with debt problems and don’t know what to do? To most people, finding themselves in that situation is pretty scary. They constantly worry about their finances…
[COLUMN] Five benefits of establishing a revocable living trust
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…
[COLUMN] Retiring senior needs bankruptcy relief for $45K credit cards
THE husband is 65 and has just handed in his application for retirement from his job. He makes a gross of $5,000 a month with overtime. Upon retirement, he will…
Los Angeles’ minimum wage increases to $16.04
WORKERS in Los Angeles experienced a minimum wage increase on Friday, July 1. The city’s minimum wage increased from $15 per hour to $16.04 per hour for all covered employees….
[COLUMN] ‘Absenteeism’ and the employee’s right to intermittent medical leave
Peter Albrecht worked as a psychiatric nurse for University of California Irvine (UCI) Medical Center. In 2007 Peter was seriously injured while restraining a violent patient. Because of his injuries,…
[COLUMN] Get out of debt to build real wealth
Don’t let this happen to you! A client of mine said he never saw it coming. Everything he ever wanted in life, he always purchased on credit. The “pre-approved” credit…
[COLUMN] Owner of several businesses needs bankruptcy relief
Seniors need relief for credit cards GAS prices are very high at $7 a gallon at some stations. The Ukraine war is entering its fourth month. Inflation is at 8.2%….