My boss lied about the reason for firing me –is my termination illegal?
Q: SEVERAL weeks ago, I was diagnosed with a medical condition that required me to go to my doctor every week for treatment. I had informed my supervisor about my…
Category: Business
Covering the week’s most noteworthy business news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Read More
Are your debt problems straining your marriage?
FROM what I’ve witnessed in the last 15 years as a bankruptcy attorney, debt problems can put a huge stress on any marriage. When couples are going through a financial…
Public relations
If you have been thinking about marketing your company or brand, you have probably heard these buzz words: paid media, owned media, and earned media. You might be asking yourself…
Oral health and whole body health are closely linked
It surprises people to learn that dentists are often first to discover health conditions like HIV, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. In part, that’s because we typically see you…
Can California banks come after you after a short sale deficiency?
SHORT sale occurs when a property sells for less than the remaining amount of indebtedness. Banks can go after homeowners for the deficiency – the difference between a low sales…
Legal and illegal deductions: Know the difference
Q: AT work, we are required to wear a uniform, which only the employer can provide. The cost of the uniform is deducted from our pay. Is this deduction legal?…
Face debt problems now to avoid pain later
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…
Client seeks to discharge civil judgment, garnishment and substantial credit card debt
WHEN it rains, it pours. When push comes to shove, and your back is up against the wall, you may think of many desperate things that you can do to…
Clients in forties seek chapter 7 fresh start
WE will discuss two new cases involving clients who seek a fresh start in life with no debts owed to anyone. Both sets of clients are in their forties. The…
Can you take early distributions before you retire?
TOUGH times may necessitate dipping into your retirement funds before retirement. Look at the tax impact of such a move. You may be shocked to find out what you are…
When “getting back” an employee becomes illegal retaliation
EVERY now and then, our law firm receives calls from persons who inform us that supervisors reduced their hours, or suspended them for a trump up charge, in order to…
Is your family-owned business struggling financially?
THE recession has been tough on a lot of small businesses. And if you have a family-owned business that is your only source of income, the business may not even…
Why biting down on aluminum foil hurts
HAVE you ever accidentally bitten down on a little piece of aluminum foil? Have you experienced that quick zap of pain? Perhaps a little piece of foil was clinging to the tortilla when…
IRS may have refunds waiting for you
IF YOU earned income in the last few years but didn’t file a tax return because your wages were below the filing requirement, the Internal Revenue Service may have some…
Long 12-hour shifts, no overtime pay, and no breaks? Time to stop the abuse!
KINDRED Healthcare Incorporated, a healthcare services company that operates hospitals, nursing centers, and rehabilitation services nationwide, was sued by its health care employees in California. The employees alleged that Kindred…
To people who want to get out of debt, but are afraid to file bankruptcy
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…
Single mom seeks 2nd bankruptcy relief after 15 years
I REMEMBER client the first time I met her 15 years ago. At that time, she was only 30 years old and had just started working as a registered nurse…
How do you keep good tax records?
1. IRS wants you to keep good records to document your income and support your expenses. It does not require you to keep records in any specific manner, but there…
Disability discrimination – prevention & remedies
Q: I HAD to take a few weeks of medical leave from work because I had to undergo a heart procedure. I gave my employer my doctors’ notes. When I…
Debt problems: Do you have a secret fear of losing everything you have?
I KNOW we’ve never met. But there’s a common concern we all share. As a debt relief attorney, I hear it from people who consult with me every day. It…
Media channels for advertising
What is the first thing you do when planning for your daily commute? You probably watch the news, check for train or bus delays on the internet, or check a…
Federal penalties for underpayment of taxes
“Taxpayers who are hit with the 20 percent penalty for negligence or disregard of rules may try to establish reasonable cause for underpayment and show that you acted in good…
New law protects subcontracted and temp workers in CA
Q: I HAVE worked at XY Company, a big processing plant in the Inland Empire, for many years. My direct employer is really ABC LLC, which subcontracts labor to XY…
Why do you need to get out of debt?
PEOPLE come to me every day with different reasons for getting out of debt. Most of the time, I’m thinking that they would have been better off had they come…
Rules to follow for a smile-healthy Halloween
HERE it comes! The season of ghosts, ghouls, witches, and, of course… candy! If you’re savvy about it, there’s no reason for your Halloween fun to come at the expense…
Values and philanthropy: Cornerstones to an enduring family business
“I choose to rise up out of that storm and see that in moments of desperation, fear, and helplessness, each of us can be a rainbow of hope, doing what…
Client seeks conversion of Chapter 13 to Chapter 7
YESTERDAY, a new client I saw said that she had been in a Chapter 13 paying $400/month for the last 12 months. But next year after her car was paid…
I owe the IRS – what can I do?
HERE 10 tips if you owe but cannot immediately pay the IRS: • Pay What you can: Pay promptly to stop additional penalties and interest from accruing. If you are…
Can employees challenge employment documents they signed?
WE previously discussed the question of whether an employee’s signature to an independent contractor (IC) agreement binds the employee to the terms of that agreement. We noted that the law…
Debt problems: Are you lost in a ‘money fog’?
MAYBE you’ve experienced this before: You’re driving down the road one cold, chilly day and before you know it, you find yourself surrounded by a thick white wall of dense…