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The creation of a living trust allows you to avoid probate fees. Typically, the more valuable an item or asset is, the greater the cost to probate it. As a result, your highest value assets should generally be placed in your living trust. Items to consider adding to the trust include: Houses and other real estate (even if they're mortgaged)...

WHAT IS SEVERANCE PAY? Severance pay is money that an employer chooses to offer an employee who is leaving the company. Common scenarios in which an employer might offer severance pay include layoffs, termination, resignation, or mutual agreements to part ways. These arrangements may include anywhere from a week or two of pay for each year the worker was employed...

All too often, clients establish estate plans and forget about them. But an estate plan is useless if it is not kept up to date with the changes in your life, trust laws, and taxation regulations. It is important that you periodically revisit your estate plan to reflect the changes in addresses, assets, and family dynamics. The best way to...

WHAT IS THE UBER INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR LAWSUIT? In a case decided on April 11, 2018, Razak v. Uber Technologies, Inc., a federal judge compared the degree of control Uber has on its drivers to a homeowner imposing limitations on a contracted plumber or carpenter while in the home. The judge decided that imposing limitations such as restricting fumes, specifying footwear...

Creating a living trust in California requires a variety of steps to design and execute the document. Once established, a living trust allows for the transfer of property after your death in a manner that avoids the time and expense of probate. A will is still necessary for certain cases, for instance naming a guardian if you have minor children....

WHAT’S NEW FOR THE FORM I-9? On our last article, we cautioned employers about new changes coming to the Form I-9 beginning January 22, 2017, as well as stiffer penalties for I-9 violations. Now, 8 months later, we’re back to update you on another update to USCIS’ Form I-9. Starting September 18, 2017, employers will be again required to use a...