Answering the common questions about bankruptcy
1. 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…
Category: Business
Covering the week’s most noteworthy business news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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I haven’t paid my second mortgage in years: What can I do now?
IF you are one of the millions of homeowners who survived the mortgage crisis in 2008, you have something to be grateful for. In 2008 alone, close to 900,000 homeowners…
Resident, nonresident alien status tax wise (Part 5)
IN part 1: we defined 1) who are resident aliens, nonresident aliens or both, 2) who are exempt individuals, and 3) closer connection exception. In part 2: we defined 1)…
To people who are facing debt problems for the first time
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…
CES Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas
CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is the largest trade fair for consumer electronics. It’s presented by Consumer Technology Association (CTA) annually in Las Vegas. It has been our tech bell weather…
Employees working in and out of California: Are they protected by CA law?
A GROUP of flight attendants from Virgin America, Inc. sued the company for unpaid wages and missed breaks. The employees alleged that Virgin did not pay them for the following:…
Client needs bankruptcy to get rid of accumulated debt from failed business
THE client is 53. He is married and owns a house. He used to have a business, which was a DBA sole proprietorship. “DBA” means doing business as. Sole proprietorship…
The Lei Company: Community building and cultural preservation through entrepreneurship
A LEI or a flower garland is more than something you wear around your neck, as it is a message of welcome, congratulations, love, sympathy and many more. Used…
Remedies for employees who blow the whistle on employer misconduct
SUSANNA Smith worked as a superintendent, and Cleve Pell worked as an operations officer for the Montebello Unified School District (MUSD). In the course of doing their jobs, Smith and…
Widow needs Chapter 13 to handle $40K credit cards
“It’s becoming clear that the choice she has to make is to be able to make the mortgage payment or the credit card payment.” THE client is 53…
Stock market benchmark indices
If you plan to trade stocks, it helps to get an understanding of basic terms that are mentioned frequently on TV, radio, and social media. There are three Major indices:…
Are you feeling hopelessly stuck in debt?
A lot of people who consult with me about their debt problems are going through the worst time of their lives. Unlike other problems in life that sometimes just go…
California tax rates and exemptions for 2018 tax returns
AMOUNTS for tax returns in 2018 are compared with amounts in 2017. Exemption credits: a. $118 from $114 – Single, Married filing separately, Head of Household. b. $236 from $228…
Employers push for P20 wage hike instead of P344
THE Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) on Wednesday, October 24, found a total of P20 increase in daily minimum wage to be the “acceptable” amount for workers to recover…
Are these good times to invest in the stock market?
YES, definitely! These are the best of times to invest in the stock market. If you are not trading stocks now, you are missing the longest bull run in history….
Sick employee entitled to ‘reasonable accommodation’ even after lengthy absence
TRISTAN Do worked as a mechanical engineer at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems Company for eight years without any issues. However, that changed when he started reporting to a new…
Senior needs Chapter 13 to protect house from creditors of a failed business
“Creditors have to pay lawyers to file the lawsuits and get the judgment and liens. They cost money as everyone knows. Trump paid his personal lawyer Cohen hundreds of thousands of…
To people who need to file bankruptcy as their only option
“Bankruptcy is never a fun thing to do or just an easy way out for people who simply want to run away from their obligations. The fact is that most…
Facebook purges 95 pages and 39 accounts in the Philippines
SOCIAL networking site Facebook on Tuesday, October 23, has shut down a total of 95 pages and 39 accounts linked to President Rodrigo Duterte and Imee Marcos, daughter of the…
What’s new: Tax cuts and jobs act (Part 4)
• YOU may need to pay quarterly estimated taxes unless tax owed is less than $1,000 upon filing of the tax return or you do not owe any taxes in…
What to do when the stock market dives
Last week’s sell off inspired me to write today’s article to caution you when stock markets dive. When stock prices drop, one’s first reaction is to sell. That’s the worst…
Seniors with $40K credit cards seek Chapter 7 relief
THE clients are young seniors at 62. The husband took an early retirement as he has a serious illness. Two years ago, the husband was diagnosed with stage 3 leukemia….
Yes, you’re paid overtime, but is it computed correctly?
(Bonuses and shift differential pay can increase overtime rates) “Under California law, overtime pay is computed on the basis of the employee’s “regular rate” of pay. If the employee receives…
K-1 visa: Fiance visa to marry US citizen
“A K-1 visa allows a foreign national to come to the United States to marry a United States citizen. The K-1 visa is valid for ninety (90) days after entry…
Should you hire a debt settlement company and avoid bankruptcy?
“Remember that a debt settlement company cannot legally represent you if you are sued and thus, they cannot protect your legal rights. Also keep in mind that some creditors will…
PAL wins another 4-Star international award
APEX confers 4-Star honors for PAL’s inflight service, seats & cabin products PHILIPPINE Airlines has won another international award, garnering a FOUR STAR Major Regional Airline 2019 rating certified by…
PH ranks 56th on global competitiveness report
The Philippines placed 56th globally among 140 countries in the latest Global Competitiveness Report 2018-2019 of the World Economic Forum. It also showed the Philippines as the fifth most competitive…
Businesses still ‘confused’ over Boracay re-opening plans
The government’s guidelines for popular tourist spot Boracay Island still have many Boracay businesses confused. Elena Brugger, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Boracay, said in…
You have not filed your income tax returns for years?
YOU have not filed your income tax returns for the current year and previous years because: 1) you decided you are not required to file? 2) You are a victim…
PH Participates in Global Trade Conf., Expo in Houston
HOUSTON 16 October 2018 – The Philippines as a premiere investment destination was highlighted at the the 2018 Houston Global Trade Conference & Expo, where Philippine Consul General in Houston…