My clients often ask: how long does a Chapter 7 bankruptcy take? The short answer: it depends. It depends on how quickly the client organizes their information and documents; it depends on whether it makes sense to postpone filing to protect some assets that would be otherwise taken; and it depends on the Bankruptcy Trustee. I rarely have a bankruptcy take less than 4 months or longer than 8 months. The average is 5-6 months. Read more »
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Is the IRS Audit in Everything Everywhere All at Once Accurate?
Everything Everywhere All at Once won seven Oscars at the 95th Academy Awards including for Best Picture. The movie begins with the havoc unleashed by IRS Agent Deirdre Beaubeirdra (Jamie Lee Curtis won Best Supporting Actress), when she audits the laundromat of Evelyn & Waymond Wang (Michelle Yeoh won Best Actress and Ke Huy Kwan won Best Supporting Actor. But are the audit scenes realistic? Short answer: yes, but mostly no. Here’s how the movie differs from a real-life IRS audit. Read more »
Best Restaurants for Lunch in Westlake Village
I go out for lunch a lot. I need to network, both to keep my name in front of other professionals who may hear of people needing my help, but also to get out of my office and have social interactions with someone other than Sebastian, my Feline Paralegal! Because I lunch so often, I feel qualified to share my list of the best restaurants for a business lunch in and around Westlake Village. Read more>>
What Happens After A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Is Filed?
You decided to declare personal bankruptcy. You’ve given the information about your debts, assets and finances to your bankruptcy attorney. S/he just filed your petition with the Bankruptcy Court. Now what? What happens after a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is filed? Read more>>
Top Five Reasons to Hire a Tax Lawyer in Alameda County
You received an audit notice from the IRS. Or maybe you’ve already been audited and hate the result. Or you ignored audit notices, and now the IRS has put a lien on your house and levied your accounts. Here’s the top five reasons to hire a tax attorney, rather than handle a tax problem on your own. Read more>>
Cost of Eggs in Ventura County
Anyone who’s shopped for eggs in the past few months has no doubt been shocked by the cost of eggs doubling or even tripling, at least in Ventura County, where I live. Why am I buying eggs, especially since I have a flock of hens who give me eggs? Read more>>
How to Request IRS Uncollectible Status in Ventura County
You owe taxes. But you can’t pay. You’re barely making ends meet with basic living expenses. Especially in high cost-of-living places like Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard and Ventura. You don’t want to file for bankruptcy, or you don’t qualify (some taxes can be discharged in bankruptcy). If you have few assets and modest income, then ask the IRS for Uncollectible Status. Read more>>
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Planning in Los Angeles County
When it’s time for bankruptcy planning, my clients in LA, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties often go “Huh?” It’s not obvious that filing bankruptcy should involve timing and strategy. But a good bankruptcy does. Why? To minimize assets the Bankruptcy Trustee may take. Here’s why pre-bankruptcy filing planning matters. Read more>>
IRS Presidential Audits Not a Mandate, Only a Norm
As I sit in my Westlake Village tax law office , I’m contemplating the remarkable story that broke this week about the IRS failing to audit former President Trump during the first two years of his Presidency, despite Read more »
Thanksgiving Food for Thought: Economics of Costco Chickens
Thanksgiving has me thinking about turkey, of course. And other poultry. Like my hens at Faucher Family Farms. My hens won’t ever end up on our table because I value them for their eggs, but Karen brought a Costco chicken home the other night.