Basic Court Fees Let’s get the boring things out of the way first. For the most straight forward probate, there largest filing fees are incurred at the beginning and end of the process. The 2015 fee charged to file a probate petition is $450. There will be a $435 filing fee to file the petition … Continue reading California Probate: How Much Does It Cost?
Tax Changes for 2013 Each year starts with some changes to our tax regime. The changes for 2013 have been much higher profile given the drama in Congress and the “fiscal cliff.” Here is a brief summary of the changes that will impact individuals this year. Individuals For 2013, standard deductions and the personal exemption, … Continue reading 2013 Tax Changes for Individuals
Recovering From the Shock Odds are that you just received notice of proposed assessment in the mail and, after a stiff belt from the closest bottle to calm your nerves, you popped online to see if there is anything you can do to lessen the burden. The good news is that you can appeal your … Continue reading Negotiate Your California Property Taxes
Massive layoffs face the San Francisco Superior Court and it appears Clerks and Commissioners will be hit very hard. I first related Ari Burack’s article on the Dire situation forecast for San Francisco Superior Court here. I then passed on the Court’s press release on this matter here. In what is becoming an unexpected series on this … Continue reading San Francisco Court Update: Source Indicates All Commissioners and 100 Clerks to be Laid Off
SEE UPDATE AUGUST 31, 2011 HERE SEE UPDATE JULY 26, 2011 HERE As a follow up to my recent blog regarding the crisis facing our courts, check out today’s press release confirming the impact of state budget cuts on San Francisco’s courts and employees. http://www.sfbar.org/forms/court-press/court-cuts-071811.pdf NEWS RELEASE Superior Court of California COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO … Continue reading “The civil justice system in San Francisco is collapsing”
As if moving through the courts wasn’t slow enough already, it looks like things will be getting worse. Clients beware, practitioners be warned. See the article by Ari Burack in the Examiner: Update – See my post on the Court’s July 18, 2011 press release here. Massive layoffs and courtroom closures in San Francisco Superior Court are expected … Continue reading Dire Situation Forecast for San Francisco Superior Court
What is a Trust Protector? A trust protector is a person who has the authority to direct the actions of the trustee or trustees of an irrevocable trust. A trustee generally has broad sweeping authority to invest funds and distribute income and principal. In contrast, trust protector has limited authority to give instructions to the … Continue reading Can You Benefit From a Trust Protector?
What is a Loss From a Passive Activity Many people think that owning rental property is one of the best ways to hold an appreciating asset while generating losses for tax purposes. This is true in some circumstances, but many investors are in for a rude shock after they purchase the property and attempt to … Continue reading How Do I Know If I Have a Passive Activity Loss?
If you have tried to record anything in California recently (e.g. a deed on that stone house you recently purchased), you have no doubt run across the requirement that almost everything that crosses the desk at your county’s office of the Recorder must be accompanied by a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR). The name implies this … Continue reading San Francisco Assessor Seeks Increased Penalties for Failure to File PCOR
Why do you need a San Francisco real estate lawyer? The purchase and sale of real property is a complicated process full of potential pitfalls. If you are involved in a real estate transaction involving residential or commercial property, it is in your best interest to hire an attorney. Experienced legal counsel can end up saving … Continue reading Why You Need a Real Estate Attorney in San Francisco