Re-packaging and re-filing a hardship/fraud waiver
DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: When I filed for adjustment of status, USCIS said I committed fraud when I entered the US under an assumed name. They required me to file a…
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Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco admit marriage problems
They were together through thick and thin, in spite of the fact that there were doubts about their relationship. So it was not a surprise to many when actors Jason…
What is coronary angioplasty?
WHAT is coronary angioplasty? Commonly called angioplasty, the procedure is technically known as Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA). Percutaneous refers to “the needle puncture thru the skin,” transluminal means “the…
Best advice to those getting married (& those who want to stay married)
JUNE is here! The season of weddings and new beginnings unfold as the days get warmer and longer. It is unfortunate, though, that half of the marriages these days end in…
Las Vegas, a paradise beyond art
Las Vegas is a city of a thousand flashing lights racing on and off, bizarre and beautiful, meant to confuse people that there is no time here, no night and…
Meet the Filipino ‘instant celebrities’ of Social Media
We consider it a once-in-a-blue-moon event whenever we run into famous personalities. And to memorialize that moment, we ask for their autographs (for those who still know what that means)…
Our love for the Eucharist
JESUS, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this…
Is real estate property purchased prior to marriage considered community property in a divorce?
GENERALLY, in California, property acquired by a spouse prior to marriage is considered separate property under family code section 770 while those acquired after marriage are considered community assets under…
Should employees give up their right to be heard in court?
Q: I RECENTLY heard from a friend who sued her employer for unpaid wages. However, the court threw out her case and she had to go to “arbitration.” She said…
Do I need a power of attorney?
AS an Elder Law attorney specializing in estate planning and Medi-Cal for Long-Term Care, I receive phone calls from adult children all over the country who have an aging parent…
Should you be present at your own IRS audit?
SHOULD you attend your IRS audit? Yes, I mean, you—your own audit. Well, you don’t have to. This is always a strategic question that should be discussed at the early…
Warning: Homeowners struggling with mortgage payments now have limited time to apply for government loan modification
ARE you currently struggling with high mortgage payments? Did you get your loan modified in the past but now have a new hardship based on changed circumstances? If so, this…
Foxes guarding the hen house
REMEMBER “C5 at Taga”? For the benefit of those with short memories, in January 2010, with the presidential campaign in full swing and Sen. Manny Villar leading in the surveys…
Remembering AAPI veterans this Memorial Day
EACH year, we celebrate Memorial Day to honor those who gave their lives serving in our armed forces. The holiday is particularly close to my heart because I’m a veteran…
The great game of golf: From tee to green
There is a funny thing about golf. It is more than strong shots or strong hands, beautiful knee action, smooth and self assured putting attributes or strokes. A tough player hides…
Titanic problems
ALMOST every Filipino has seen the movie Titanic, the story of Jack and Rose who sailed that doomed ship, which hit an iceberg and sank. During consultations, I sometimes compare…
Duterte and the Philippines’ health
With the election of Rodrigo Duterte, The Punisher and Dirty Harry of Davao, as the next president of the Philippines, are the Filipinos headed towards a healthier, safer, and corruption-free…
Report finds Asians in US are healthier than other groups
A NEW study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that Asian adults – particularly Chinese adults – are physically and psychologically healthier than other US…
New IRS reporting requirement to US persons
STARTING 2015, filer of Form 8938 who satisfies the reporting obligation by completing Part IV Excepted Specified Foreign Financial Assets, must complete the newly added checkbox on item D on…
With the unfavorable ratings of front-runners Clinton and Trump, should Sanders drop out of the race?
This race to the White House is not like any other, especially when you look at the front-runners of each party. In past elections, voters generally have fallen in love…
Jaclyn Jose becomes the first Filipino to win Best Actress at Cannes
JACLYN Jose made history after winning the Best Actress award at the 69th Cannes Film Festival on Sunday, May 22. She is the first Filipino to bring home the acting…
When love turns around
LAS VEGAS: On a hot, dry day in May, the whole city was breathing and heaving like a tired beast. On the strip that controlled all the luxurious hotels, cursing…
Filipino on FBI’s Most Wanted list
A FILIPINO man from Los Angeles wanted for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend last month has been named to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Philip Patrick Policarpio,…
Contouring is out, strobing is in: The latest makeup trend for your summer look
Don’t you just love it when summer is approaching? I love how the suns sets so late and how it makes you feel like you have more daytime hours; not…
The actions of the Trinity in the world
“WHY do we hear all this stuff about the Trinity?” The question burst from a man in the audience of a talk of mine. “Why can’t we just be good…
Client seeks relief from $700K commercial lease
– Seniors seek relief from $80K and $28K credit cards CLIENT is 52, still young by any standard. He has got it all together. He has no credit card debt…
Calculating child support
THROUGHOUT the years that I have practiced family law in the State of California, I have heard many ideas from clients as to how they think child support is calculated…
‘Salaried’ employees may still have a right to overtime pay (California overtime law is still superior to new federal overtime law)
Q: MY job title is “manager.” I work at least 10 hours per day, 6 to 7 days per week. While I supervise a few employees, I mostly do the…