Green card holders and other non-citizens: What to do when you receive a jury summons
Dear Atty. Gurfinkel: I just received a jury summon from the County Courthouse, but I am in illegal status (TNT). How did they get my name and address? Do I…
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Client with bank account levy seeks Chapter 7 relief
Client receives notice of default on house, tries Chapter 13 relief CLIENT is 60 & wife is 58. He issued his check to pay rent of $1200 but the check was…
How one employee can make a difference through collective action
Q. My former employer did not pay me for overtime hours and missed breaks. Many fellow employees experienced the same thing but they are afraid because they think if they…
Will incorporating a separate property business during marriage make it community property?
YOU own a successful business, as a sole proprietor, prior to marriage. You later meet the love of your life and decide to marry her. Years into the marriage, you…
Opening up a new office? Get an L-1
QUESTION: Can I use an office based in my home and/or garage for the L-1? Answer: No. You must have an ‘actual office’. The reality might be that you can…
10 basics of IRS appeals process
IF you are not satisfied with the results of your IRS audit, go to Appeals. You have a choice of either ending your misery by paying up or by continuing…
What’s the best solution to your debt problems?
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…
Live & Dine LA event is a foodie’s delight
Los Angeles is not just the City of Angels — it’s the City of Food Angels who were out in force on Sunday, July 30 to support the Los Angeles…
Duterte and Fil-Ams can work on a common cause
DURING the Philippine revolution against Spain, the Katipunan had two mutually-hostile factions: the Magdiwang of Andres Bonifacio, and the Magdalo, which was identified with Emilio Aguinaldo. While they literally went…
Why Trump’s Filipino supporters continue to defend him
PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s job approval rating dips further south to a new historic low of 33 percent, with 61 percent disapproving of how he is doing his job as president,…
In memory of my good friend, Alfie Lorenzo
THIRTY years ago, I would never have imagined such a beautiful soul fleeting out of existence; let alone write a tribute for him in my column. He is one of…
2017 People’s Ball Honorary Chairs and production dancers
The tense situation plus the Herculean task and responsibilities bestowed upon the shoulders of anybody dispensed with the task of organizing and managing an event left him fidgety, uptight, edgy, …
Pres. Trump backs proposal to cut legal immigration programs
Trump, GOP senators rally behind bill that would eliminate family-based petitioning Acting on a crucial campaign goal, President Donald Trump on Wednesday, August 2 backed proposed legislation that would eliminate…
2017 People’s Ball Honorary Chairs and production dancers
The tense situation plus the Herculean task and responsibilities bestowed upon the shoulders of anybody dispensed with the task of organizing and managing an event left him fidgety, uptight, edgy, …
California divorce FAQs
I JUST moved to California last month, and I’d like to file for divorce. Can I file now? To file for divorce in the State of California, the person…
Beware of ‘sore eyes’
What is “sore eyes”? Sore eyes, medically known as conjunctivitis, is a highly contagious infection of the eyes, commonly cause by an adenovirus. There are several serotypes of adenoviruses. The…
10 tips to handle an IRS notice
IF you receive an IRS notice, keep the following suggestions in mind: • Be alarmed, but do not panic. Call your tax professional for guidance. Do not delay your response….
Could the new chief of staff General John Kelly reign in on Trump?
THE White House is in chaos, but let us look at the glimmer of hope in President Donald Trump’s appointment of General John Kelly as chief of staff, replacing Reince…
Law enforcement
During the early morning of Sunday, July 30, members of the Philippine National Police and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), armed with search warrants, raided homes of alleged illegal…
It’s official: Los Angeles will host 2028 Olympics
City promises economic upturn leading up to the games After weeks of negotiations, the City of Los Angeles has finally locked in a deal with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)…
Asian American voter potential eyed in 2018 and beyond
Rep. Judy Chu, Fil-Am actor/activist Lou Diamond Phillips discuss importance of mobilizing the AAPI electorate By now, many are seeing the significance of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)…
Seven things you should not do when served with divorce papers by your spouse
FOR most people, being served with divorce papers by your spouse is probably one of the biggest surprises in your life. The spouse in the receiving end of the divorce…
Clients with wage garnishment, huge sales tax, freak accident seek bankruptcy relief
FREAK accident liability I want to discuss the client with the freak accident first. The first client is 45. This is really a very unusual case. In fact, I have…
A private “nurse” or home health aid is entitled to overtime pay
Q: I am a registered nurse in the Philippines but I have not yet obtained a license in California. However, I am working as a ‘private nurse’ to a bed-ridden…
Are you an athlete?
Q: I AM a body builder and just won a big amateur contest. Can I come and work in the U.S. on some type of visa? A: Yes, there is…
IRS expands audits to prior year and subsequent years
YOU’LL be happy to note that the IRS also gets audited. It’s audited by the Treasury Department to determine whether tax compliance officers conduct required filing checks in accordance with…
Bankruptcy debt relief: Should you file now or later?
INDIVIDUALS who have accumulated excessive debt are often left to ponder whether they should file bankruptcy in order to get out of debt. Sometimes, these people feel that somehow, they’ve…
Defense officials, Fil-Am US military general respond to Trump’s transgender military ban
SURPRISE! President Donald Trump woke up on the morning of Wednesday, July 26, and announced via Twitter that transgenders (those born with a certain gender but identify self with another…
Bruno Mars to perform in Manila in 2018
GRAMMY Award-winning artist Bruno Mars is bringing his “24K Magic World Tour” concert to Manila on May 3, 2018, at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City. Concert…
Spotlight focus on world-class performers at the 2017 People’s Ball
While all roads will lead to the Hilton Meadowlands Hotel along Meadowlands Plaza in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Friday, August 11, 2017 at 7 PM for the 9th Grand…