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Family

Post-Bankruptcy Issues

Written by Michael J. Friedman, Esq. Tuesday, 23 April 2013 12:13

When a debtor files bankruptcy, the goal in most cases is to obtain a discharge to eliminate debt and get a fresh start in their financial lives. In Chapter 7 cases, the case is usually open for about four months, and then the debtor receives the discharge and the case is closed.

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber to Hold Mixer in Canyon Country

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Written by The Magazine of Santa Clarita Tuesday, 23 April 2013 12:12

The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a business mixer at the College of the Canyons Canyon Country Campus (CCC) on Wednesday, May 15.
Attendees will have the opportunity to network and learn about various businesses and services offered throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.

Why People Hate Lawyers

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Written by Richard A. Marcus, Esq. Tuesday, 23 April 2013 12:11

It is tax time and for me, speaking with my accountant is probably a lot like you speaking to your lawyer. I dread the conversations. I loathe waiting for the phone call when I find out what my tax liability is and how much money I have to pay before April 15, 2013. My accountant is a nice enough person. I don’t hate her. I hate the process.

Do You Know Where Your Original Estate Planning Documents Are?

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Written by Gina G. MacDonald, Esq. Tuesday, 23 April 2013 12:11

Where have you placed your original estate planning documents? Somewhere water or fireproof? Does anyone else know where to find your documents? In California, if your original Will cannot be found, it is “presumed revoked.” This means any or all of the directives in your Will could be ignored and the persons to whom you wanted to distribute your estate could be disregarded.
It doesn’t matter how many copies of your Will exist.

The Advance Health Care Directive

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Written by Jerry Kessler, Attorney at Law Tuesday, 23 April 2013 12:10

Do you remember the sad saga of Terri Schiavo? After suffering brain damage, she had been in a vegetative state for years. She had signed no health care directive, and her family could not agree on whether to “pull the plug” or not. From 1996 until 2005, her case was in the courts, reflecting the family’s acrimony, second-guessing and venting of personal feelings.