When it comes to marriage the typical chain of events include dating, meeting family, getting a dog, moving into together, meeting friends and other steps so you know that you want to be married (excluding Vegas but that is another matter all together). However, it never ceases to amaze me how many people will jump...
Where there is a Will there is a way! Most people think of wills as the only way to transfer property upon death, however, there are several instruments one can use to transfer property to loved ones upon their passing. First, let’s understand that even I you do not execute a will your property will...
Legal issues with real property Property law is one of the most archaic areas of the law. The concepts for modern property law predate the American Revolution, and even many medieval concepts are still prevalent. The very concept of a “landlord” goes back to the time when those who owned land were, indeed, lords. Property...
Executor’s role in Probate What is an “Executor?” In California the Executor is also called a personal representative. It is the person or entity nominated by the deceased person (the “decedent”) in a Will to administer the estate of that person as directed by the Will. Let’s start by stating that it’s both an honor...
Being an Attorney that concentrates on all aspects of Probate matters, my office has come up with a list of the forgotten assets that are most commonly omitted from trust funding. That is, these assets are frequently found after death titled in individual names rather than being properly titled to the decedent’s trust. In some...
When a trustor drafts and executes a trust they install certain named persons as successor trustee(s) to serve in the absence of the initial trustee (usually the person creating the trust). No pun intended but you have to choose someone trustworthy to act. Unlike a will, a trust typically is not supervised by the court...
BANKRUPTCY EXPLAINED Whenever the economy suffers, the word bankruptcy gets tossed around. Anyone can experience trouble with finances including celebrities, athletes, politicians, business leaders and other prominent public figures. Every day on the news we hear reports of people (famous or not) dealing with financial problems stemming from divorce, medical conditions, mortgage foreclosure, credit problems,...
Do you need an attorney? Like any good attorney will tell you the answer is “maybe” or “it depends.” First, there are certain entities that must be represented by an attorney before the Court. Examples would be Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Trusts, and other similar entities. However, in most situations an individual is free to...
MONEY IS NOT ALWAYS THE ANSWER It appears that the growth of small businesses will continue to progress in 2020 as small businesses have generated more than 65% of the new jobs created in the U.S. since 1996. With every small business comes employees and employee issues. Every small business knows that a good employee...
Identifying Identity Theft during Tax Season Identity theft can be a frustrating obstacle during any time of the year, but specially frustrating during tax time. Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses a stolen Social Security number to file a tax return and claim a fraudulent refund. Nothing can be more frustrating than not being...
California small business owners are usually conscientious about the cost, at least the ones that desire to remain in business. Overhead is the killer of great ideas. Overhead consists of the cost of their necessary materials they need to manufacture their products or render their services, the cost of hiring and retaining qualified employees, and...
Entrepreneurs and small business owners are passionate, driven, and generally busy people. They are focused on many things, probably the most important being the everyday struggle of running their business. In the frantic haze of starting a business most focus on everything but the legal considerations of operating a business. The business, no matter, how...
Nearly every day in our office a potential client will call to inquire about obtaining a power of attorney for a loved one. First, we must understand what a power of attorney is, and what it can do, and not do – as the case may be. A power of attorney is a legal device...
A Probate Guardianship is a court proceeding in which a legal guardian is appointed by the probate court to protect the person or estate of a minor. A Probate Guardianship suspends (but does not end, as in adoption) parental legal rights. Probate Guardianship is granted by the court if the court finds that it is “necessary or...
For reasons unknown or based on costs, places such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, schools, movie theaters and other places of public accommodation refuse to provide communication access to deaf or hard of hearing people. It is against the law for employers, hospitals, governments, and other entities to discriminate against you based on your hearing loss....
The Riverside County Superior Court along with other local County Courts are closing or drastically limiting services in response to COVID-19. San Diego, Orange, and San Bernardino Courts are taking similar steps. Below is Riverside County’s response. In addition, please note that the Department of Veterans Affairs office, EDD, and Labor Commission are also closing...
Another new year means new laws As we enter the new decade, California legislators have graced California with a multitude of new laws. Below are some of the most important (or interesting) laws that took effect on January 1, 2020. SB 3: Minimum wage Another pay hike is on the way for minimum wage workers....
