Nothing’s as Certain as Death, Taxes and Estate Planning
- by Lynda I. Chung
The truth of the old saying that “there is nothing certain in life but death and taxes” was underscored by the frightening reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted many Americans to stop procrastinating and have their wills and trusts drafted.
A Quick Laugh Leaves the Court Unamused
- by M. Laurie Murphy
When two parties bring in an arbitrator to handle their dispute, the arbitrator is supposed to be unbiased and objective. Could a joking comment made during a recent dispute undermine the parties’ trust in that neutrality?
Even in Hollywood, Lawyers Can’t Just Play the Role
- by M. Laurie Murphy
What happens if the person you thought was your lawyer isn’t permitted to practice law? If you are in the entertainment business and there’s a contract and money involved, expect the dispute to wind up in the courts.
Do-It-Yourself Lawyering Can Be Costly
- by Lynda I. Chung
In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” The need to get good legal advice certainly applies to someone involved in complex estate litigation who is alleged to have financially mistreated both his father and his sister – after getting out of prison.
What Part of ‘One-Time’ Do You Not Understand?
- by Lynda I. Chung
California normally requires a home or other real estate to be reappraised for property tax purposes when it is sold or its ownership is otherwise transferred. There’s an important exception to this rule: reassessment can be avoided when a property passes from a parent to a child.
So Close, But Yet So Far
- by M. Laurie Murphy
What happens if you sign an agreement, later decide it’s unfair and you want to back out, and a judge says you can?