Recent Blog Posts
What Is a Loan Modification Agreement?
For people upside down or underwater on their mortgages – owing more to the bank than their homes are worth – getting the bank to agree to modify their loan might seem like an attractive proposition. Read on as we explain what a loan modification is, what it does, and how to get one. We… Read More »
The Added Value of Using an Attorney-Broker in Your Real Estate Transaction
Given how important your real estate transaction is and the multitude of issues that can arise, having a professional by your side to shepherd you through the process is a smart choice. Real estate brokers represent buyers and sellers and help them complete the transaction smoothly and successfully, with expertise in marketing, pricing, and the… Read More »
What Is an Outside General Counsel?
Running a business of any size is a daily challenge, especially for small business owners who by necessity must have their hands on every aspect of the business. Unlike large companies that benefit from in-house legal counsel or entire legal departments, small business owners have no such resource. Yet they face the same legal issues… Read More »
The Sun Never Sets on the Bureau of Automotive Repair
Assembly Bill 1263, passed during this current legislative session and signed by the governor, revisits many important aspects of the Bureau of Automotive Repair and the California Smog Check program. Read on for a summary of the changes made by this legislation. If you are a California auto shop owner or Smog Check technician dealing… Read More »
The Department of Justice Is Here to Help With… Bankruptcy Discharges of Student Loans?
When it comes to getting rid of debts in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, not all debts are treated equally, and for a long time, student loan debt has been treated the most unfairly of all. According to the latest figures, the average student loan balance among borrowers is $38,290, which can be a sizeable chunk… Read More »
Understanding Student Loan Income-Based Repayment
Over 43 million Americans carry federal student loan debt, with a significant portion finding it difficult to pay off their loans while trying to start a career, raise a family, and build a quality life for themselves. One option to deal with this burdensome debt is to enroll in an income-based or income-driven repayment plan…. Read More »
Most Common Business Mistakes for Startup Businesses
Starting a business is an exciting venture, but it’s also filled with potential pitfalls. Many entrepreneurs in Southern California, from tech innovators in Silicon Beach to entertainment industry startups in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, embark on this journey with high hopes and innovative ideas. However, without proper legal guidance and business acumen, common mistakes… Read More »
What to Do if Seller Is Delaying Escrow
For most people, purchasing a home is a significant milestone. This is especially the case in Southern California, where buying a home represents an outsized investment compared to much of the rest of the country. However, the journey to homeownership can be fraught with challenges that threaten to derail the transaction if not handled carefully…. Read More »
What Is a Zombie Mortgage?
It sounds like something out of a horror movie, but unfortunately a zombie mortgage is a very real and potentially frightening scenario for homeowners in Southern California. Read on for a discussion covering how zombie mortgages are defined, how they occur, their impact on homeowners, and legal protections and solutions that might be available to… Read More »
Zombie 2nd Trust Deed, Junior Mortgage Lien, or HELOC Secured Debt and Loans
Any of the below apply? Received a Pending or Threatened Foreclosure against your residence, or income property, from a Zombie Junior Lien, or 2nd (or even 3rd position) Mortgage? Debt Holder, Investor, or Mortgage company, has demanded payment from you for an aged (forgotten, charged-off, or advised as settled) real property secured loan? Years have… Read More »