Debt relief attorney Ray Bulaon opens Los Angeles office
ATTORNEY Ray Bulaon, known as “the Filipino Community’s Debt Relief Expert”, has opened a fourth office location in Los Angeles in order to be more accessible to all clients in…
Category: Business
Covering the week’s most noteworthy business news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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Business owner files chapter 7 due to $1.0-M labor lawsuits
Seniors seek chapter 7 relief for $48k credit card debt Business owner with $1.0M labor lawsuits CLIENT is 65. He operates a service-oriented business with 3 outlets in strip malls. He…
Police use of excessive force violates civil rights
THE use of unreasonable or excessive force by police are in the news now more than ever. Many thought after the Rodney King incident, this issue will never arise again….
12 tips on filing status
PAY attention to your filing status because it determines your standard deduction, tax due, or refund. Here are 12 tips to help you choose your correct filing status: 1. There…
Avoid this big mistake when facing foreclosure
YOU already know that your home is in foreclosure. You’ve received that dreaded Notice of Default. You know that after 90 days, your home can be scheduled for a Trustee…
Senior Care Home: Is it a good business?
I AM frequently asked the question: “Is it a good business opportunity to open a senior care home?” First, let us define what a Senior Care Home is and how…
Why everyone needs estate planning
MY grandfather is one of the greatest men I have ever known. After fighting in the Philippines during World War II, he talked his way past guards at a U.S….
Client files chapter 13 while hoping for a loan modification of mortgage
Client seeks chapter 7 relief for $78K credit card debt CLIENT has had an on going “battle” with Wells Fargo for justice on her mortgage since 2007. It’s been 9 years…
Lyft drivers misclassified as independent contractors settle for $12.25 million
LYFT, the “ride-sharing business” and Uber competitor, has settled a class action lawsuit by its drivers for over $12 million. Lyft drivers had accused the company of misclassifying its drivers…
20 don’ts in an IRS audit
1. DON’T go to your appointment unprepared. 2. Don’t be late for your appointment with the auditor. 3. Don’t volunteer information. 4. Don’t be condescending of education, experience, age, or…
Why are most people too embarrassed to seek debt help?
HAVE you ever faced a situation in your life where you needed help so badly but you were just too embarrassed to ask for it? Perhaps you felt confused and…
Faith and Pinoy pride: Outperforming and outhinking the giants
“FIGHTING multinationals was very tough. At first, everyone thought I was crazy. They told me, how would I survive this? True enough, it’s by the grace of God that I’m…
Business owners seek bankruptcy relief
Client 1: Garment Factory CLIENT presents himself as a businessperson, who has been in the garment business since 2002. He has a factory with ten employees where he pays his…
Should you sign that separation package from your employer?
A SEPARATION package or a severance agreement is a contract between an employer and an employee who is about to leave the employer’s employment. In a typical severance agreement, the…
Philippine banks that provide depositor data to US IRS
(Part 2 Of 2) J.P. Morgan Securities Philippines, Inc. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. – Manila Branch Land Bank of the Philippines Legazpi Savings Bank, Inc. Longmeadow Corporation Macquarie Capital Securities…
Struggling with student loans? Here’s what you need to know
THE cost of a college education has spiraled out of control for most families. In the last 10 years, student loan debt has sharply risen from $240 billion to $1…
Ensuring the family business legacy: My second book
THAT’S the title of my second book! After three years and three copy editors, my book is now available! To give you an idea on how this book was conceptualized, let me…
Business owner seeks chapter 7 relief from employee lawsuit for backpay of $100K
Secured creditor client seeks relief from buyer who filed for Chapter 11 OH, the woes of owning and running a business come in all shapes and sizes! Even when a business…
Minimum wage increase affects meal & lodging charges for ‘live-in’ employees
Q: I AM a live-in employee at a residential care facility. I work six days a week and have one day off. I sleep in a room inside the facility…
Philippine banks that provide depositor data to US IRS
(Part 1 Of 2) 14-678 Property Holdings Inc JV 18-2 Property Holdings Inc JV 19-1 Realty Corporation JV 6-24 Property Holdings Inc JV 6-3 Property Holdings Inc JV AB Capital…
Should you file chapter 7 or chapter 13?
IF you’ve made the decision to file bankruptcy in order to get a fresh financial start, here are some things to consider in choosing between Chapter 7 or Chapter 13….
Considerations for dental patients with special needs
FOR both children and adults with special needs, dental care can be challenging. In some cases, limited coordination can make brushing and flossing tricky. In other cases there may be…
Husband and wife behind Forever 21’s global success
“OUR life is what our thoughts make it.” That’s a powerful quote by Marcus Aurelius. According to writer Alyssa Sparacino, New Year’s resolutions are a bit like babies: They’re fun…
Client food retailer seeks Chapter 7 relief
CLIENT is a specialty food retailer that started operations in a commercial center two years ago. Five partners invested $50K each for a total of $250K for a food business…
2016 minimum wage increase affects more than minimum wage earners
Q. WHAT is the new minimum wage? A. Effective January 1, 2016, the minimum wage in California will be $10.00 per hour. Most employees in California are entitled to be…
The ABCs of foreign bank and financial accounts (FBAR)
IF you have offshore bank accounts, should you report the accounts to the US government? Yes, if the aggregate balances exceed $10,000 at any time during the year. What if…
Got debt but feeling ashamed to get help?
IF you are experiencing debt problems, you may find it difficult to talk to other people about it to the point that you are not getting the help that you…
Will The New Year Resolve Conflicts In The Family Business?
By: Prof. Enrique Soriano “With great enthusiasm, family businesses always look forward to a wish list of New Year’s resolutions and good intentions. But in a relatively short period of…
Client chooses between chapter 11 and chapter 7 because of $1.0M judgment
“ If client no longer wants to continue doing business, the best option is Chapter 7. In Chapter 7, all claims against the company, including the judgment of $1.0M will…
Year 2015 in review: Developments in employment laws
THE year 2015 has been an interesting time for employment law, with the legislature and the courts defining additional protections to employees. The following are some of the new laws…