THE date of separation is one of the most important facts to determine in a divorce case because it defines when the community interest ends and when separate property interest commences in a marriage. All property acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in the State of California is community property. Family…
A CLIENT wants Chapter 7, but can he avoid the presumption of abuse? The client is 55, married with a son and daughter who have just entered college. His income is $5,600 gross a month. The wife’s income is $5,500 gross a month. So, the combined gross of his household of four is $11,100 a…
BETH Silverman worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles since 1994. In 2006, she joined the Major Crimes Division (MCD), an elite trial unit in the DA’s Office that prosecutes complex and high-profile homicide cases. In 2011, Gary Hearnsberger became the Head Deputy of the MCD and Silverman’s supervisor. Silverman…
1. CONGRESS created a new code section called “Revocation or Denial of Passport in Case of Certain Tax Delinquencies.” The idea of this new law is to use travel to enforce tax collections. It was proposed and rejected in 2012. It was re-introduced in 2015, passed by Congress, and signed by President Obama. It’s taking foothold…
IF you are up to your neck in debt, you may feel that you have no choice but to file for bankruptcy. But perhaps you’re dreading to make that decision because you’re unsure if it’s the right option for you. One thing I’ve learned is that most people often get conflicting information from the wrong…
QUESTION: I wanted to start my own business in the U.S. and in fact, have sufficient money. However, I was told that I am not able to do so because I am not a citizen of a ‘treaty country.’ Is there anything else I can do? Answer: Yes, you can try the L-1A which actually…
It is said that if hindsight is a perfect science, that makes scientists of our country’s national leaders and bureaucrats. In administration after administration, the would’ve-could’ve-should’ve syndrome has been a familiar affliction. In hindsight, everyone in the legislature and in Malacañang has been an expert on how a crisis would have, could have and should…
Vindicated. Empowered. This is how I feel on behalf of my fellow women, and men who want to do what is right in honor of their mothers, wives, sisters, friends. TIME Magazine‘s choice of the “Silence Breakers” — “for giving voice to open secrets, for moving whisper networks onto social networks, for pushing us all…
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” – Mark 1:3 MANY residents of Southern California may not feel like celebrating Christmas this year. It’s because of the series of wildfires that destroyed numerous homes and devastated the lives of thousands of people, interrupting their plans for this most celebrated holiday. This enormous disaster…
TODAY I woke up with a smile on my face. Christmas is 18 days away, as of this writing! The sound of Christmas music and the cold winter breeze brushing against my face made sure I remember that. But aside from the stark reminder that I only have a few days to “wrap-up’ my Christmas…
“Inspiration feeds the human soul…and Icons of Impact hopes to serve as a motivation for the young to challenge personal results and expectations…” – SVD The fourth among 6 siblings, it wasn’t difficult for his parents, Engineer Pancho V. Derodar and Romarica Cendrillon Derodar to rear young Stevenson Van C. Derodar for he was industrious,…
FOR almost all immigration benefits, you should save and preserve documents to establish eligibility for that particular benefit. Many people state that, for one reason or another, they no longer have documents relating to their immigration history. They moved several times and lost track of the documents; they got angry because their case was denied…
THE holidays are upon us, and soon, we’ll all be thinking about “New Year’s resolutions.” Amid the festivities, many people take this time to look at their lives and decide once and for all if their lives will change in the new year, or if things will remain the same. Love and marriage in the…
Twelve years ago, we wrote that drinking coffee reduced the risk for type II diabetes, based on a new study then (involving 42,000 healthy men and 84,000 health women from 1980 through 1998) by the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on January 6,…
Everyone seems hyped up for the holidays, hurrying to wrap up their shopping and head on to parties and get-togethers. This holiday season, chances are, you will be spending much of your time traveling. Since streets will be a lot busier (and in some places, raining, snowing or covered with ice and frost), it’s a…
BEGINNING January 2018, the IRS will start certification of individuals with delinquent tax debt to the State Department. How will the IRS certification impacts you? • Upon receipt of certification. The State Department will either deny application or revoke current passport or both. • You are overseas. Limited validity passport for direct return to the…
IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” Family Code §760. This becomes a problem if you…
PRESIDENT Donald Trump gave his full support behind the candidacy of Roy Moore, a former judge who is running for senator in a special election in Alabama on December 12. Trump endorsed Moore despite the fact that at least six women have come forward, accusing Moore of making unwanted sexual advances toward them when they…
When I first learned how to drive, I was baffled with how much paperwork is actually involved. However, it turned out to not be as scary and complicated as I thought. Car registration and the driver’s license are two of the most important components for every driver. Car registration is proof that you’re the owner…
Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed rock band Journey, brought down Palace Theater in Los Angeles as he sang to a sold-out crowd of over 1,000 attendees on Sunday, December 3. The concert came two days ahead of Pineda marking his 10-year anniversary as the vocalist of the iconic rock group, with…
MANY Filipinos consult with me saying they are sad, lonely, and depressed over their immigration situation, and just want to give up, and go back to the Philippines. Many of them came to the U.S. years ago, leaving behind a spouse and small children. Because of their immigration situation, they are unable to travel back…
IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” Family Code §760. This becomes a problem if you…
THE Japanese created Godzilla a long time ago. It’s a gigantic T-Rex on steroids that destroys Tokyo and the rest of Japan until someone comes to the rescue and kills it with nukes. Mr. Honda, the author, created the concept of Godzilla as a metaphor for the atomic bombs in 1954 when Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which were the recipients of…
Q: I work in a hospital on 12-hour shifts. During my meal break, I sometimes go to our break lounge to take a nap. My supervisor told me sleeping is forbidden. Since it is my 30-minute meal break, I feel that I should be able to spend it however I want. What are my rights?…
1. DON’T volunteer information. A typical agent is a low-key, friendly agent. They get your guard down by playing a nice guy role. Don’t be deceived by it. Remember that he (includes her) is not on your side. He may appear to be, but he is not. 2. Don’t be a blabbermouth. Taxpayers are scared…
QUESTION: I have lots of years of experience and lots of publications and awards. However, I don’t have an employer to sponsor me. Is there any other option? Answer: There might be. EB1-A or EB1-EA is a subgroup of first preference employment-based immigration (EB-1). This immigration preference category is for foreign nationals of extraordinary ability…
IF you are struggling with debt and have done everything you can to no avail, bankruptcy may be the only way for you to wipe the slate clean on your financial troubles. Some people have gotten so behind on their debt payments that it has become impossible for them to catch up. Creditors are calling…
ADVERTISING is one indicator of changes in lifestyle, social mores, fashion and language. One such development that has become apparent in U.S. television commercials is the use of mixed race families (i.e., an African-American husband, a Caucasian wife and mixed-race children). This would have been unthinkable only a few decades ago. In 1978, at the…
PRESIDENT Donald Trump has been in office for almost a year now but has yet to score a legislative victory. This is why he has been so adamant in getting his Republican legislators to pass the GOP tax bill before Christmas. However, even his party mates have aired their concerns about the tax bill, especially…
“YES, O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay, and you are the potter: we are the work of your hands” (Is 64:7). These are beautiful words the Scripture presents to us on this First Sunday of Advent as we prepare for Christmas! We’re going to spend the weeks of Advent in prayer,…
