California divorce frequently asked questions
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 filing…
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Am I a US citizen?
Whatever the immigration status of an alien is so long as they are residing or simply physically present in the United States, a child born in the U.S. is a …
Queries from readers
What causes palpitation? Palpitation (pounding heart beat, harder and faster than normal) could be due to extrinsic causes like ingestion of a stimulant (coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolates, some medications,…
119th Philippine Independence Day: A celebration of progress through peace and freedom
The Philippines will celebrate its 119th Independence Day to commemorate its independence from colonial Spain. Also known as “Araw ng Kasarinlan” or “Araw ng Kalayaan,” it is an annual national…
The unhappy king
ONCE there was a mighty, oh so, mighty king with a short fuse. One night in autumn, the king fell into a deep melancholy. He could neither eat nor sleep,…
Disclosure of text messages, e-mails and Facebook info of a spouse or significant other may constitute domestic violence
DOMESTIC violence is abuse perpetrated against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, the mother or father of your child, your child. Family Code Section 6211. Abuse is…
When can the landlord enter the rental unit?
THE landlord or its representative must give the tenant a reasonable written notice in advance before entering the unit, and can enter only during normal business hours generally, 8 a.m….
Clients seek relief for credit card debt
CLIENTis 48, married, and has a good job paying him $100K gross a year. A family emergency has caused him some financial hardship because money meant to pay for the…
Trump’s decision on climate change: A matter of fact-based principles or the dictate of politics?
WHAT was President Donald Trump really thinking when he withdrew the United States’ commitment to the Paris agreement on climate change? He said his reasons were economic — to bring…
Bright spot
“THE Philippines is a beautiful country, and we intend to leverage on this strength to boost economic growth,” the Duterte administration stressed when it said that it intends to develop…
Grandmas are to love
“SO, if you have a grandma, thank the Good Lord up above and give grandmamas hugs and kisses for grandmothers are to love. Funny, you don’t look like a grandmother.” – Lois Wyse…
The journey of the heart
MANY years ago when I was an associate pastor, there was a young man named Nick who spoke boldly in front of hundreds of his fellow youth about his Christian…
Client seeks Chapter 13 relief for mortgage default, credit cards; Senior seeks Chapter 7 for relief for 40K credit cards
“ If you are saddled with debt, now is the time to get them discharged. Better now than later when you are about to retire. ” CLIENT is 48, married,…
Disclosure of text messages, e-mails and facebook info of a spouse or significant other may constitute domestic violence
DOMESTIC violence is abuse perpetrated against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, the mother or father of your child, your child. Family Code Section 6211. Abuse is…
When is an employment termination ‘wrongful’?
Q: I worked in a company for over 10 years. A new supervisor and I do not get along. Last week, the company let me go without any explanation. I…
New I-94 Feature: Check your last possible departure date online
LAST May 31, 2017, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security issued an advisory that the CBP will now remind travelers to the US of…
What to do if you lose at the Board of Immigration Appeals
QUESTION: I am so sad. I lost at the Immigration Court and then I lost at the Board of Immigration Appeals. Is there anywhere else to go and anything else…
12 ways to avoid an IRS audit
“ Avoid low gross receipts and few but unusually high expenses.” 1. DO not hide interest and dividend income from the IRS, even if your spouse may not be aware…
Drowning in debt but too afraid to ask for help?
HAVE you ever faced a situation in your life where you needed help so badly but you were just too afraid to ask for it? Perhaps you felt confused and…
ISIS radicalizing and forcefully recruiting kids in Mindanao
IN my midweek article, I wrote about Fil-Ams who support President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao. I shared with you the letter of support written by US…
A night with the ‘Birit Queens’
TO keep up with my social life, while at the same time support our local artists, I spent one melodious Sunday watching the “Birit Queens” belt out a tune or…
President Trump’s ‘Buy American, Hire American’ executive order
On April 18, President Donald Trump signed an executive order which focused on two areas of the administration’s policy: protection of American jobs (“Hire American”) and preference for U.S.-manufactured goods…
The joys and pains of reminiscence
IN one’s life, reminiscing the past is something inescapably imperative while profoundly inevitable since every current life’s episode has a past to recollect and reckon with. There will always be…
A notario or immigration consultant is not an attorney
QUESTION: I found a person who called himself a ‘notario’ and said he would do the work I needed for ½ the cost of an attorney. He also said I…
Employee’s right to final paycheck at termination
Q: TWO WEEKS AGO I WAS FIRED FROM WORK. MY EMPLOYER TOLD ME MY LAST PAYCHECK WILL BE MAILED TO ME BY NEXT PAYDAY. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT YET….
How courts determine child custody in california
“ Child custody comes in two parts, physical custody and legal custody.” ONE of the most emotional aspect of a marital dissolution case is dealing with Child custody issues. Sadly…
Negotiating with credit card companies to avoid bankruptcy
YOUR credit card payments are past due. You’re confused and don’t know what to do. The bill collectors are calling you non-stop and writing you threatening letters. What do you…
Your marriage petition could be in trouble if USCIS visits your home
Marrying a U.S. citizen is one of the fastest and most commonly known ways to obtain a green card. It is also subject to much fraud and abuse, where people…
Marriage while in removal proceedings
Individuals may be put in removal (deportation) proceedings for a number of reasons. Some of them may have been put in removal proceedings for committing certain crimes. Others are in…
Anti-cervical cancer
What is cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is malignant tumor of the cervix (mouth of the womb). It is the second most cancer in women and the third most common gynecologic…