How Does COVID-19 Affect my Estate Plan?
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began earlier this year, many people have been lying awake at night wondering what the future will hold. As our daily lives continue to effected, people who already have estate planning documents may find themselves questioning whether their plan needs to be updated due to the increased chance of a medical emergency.
What is an Advance Medical Directive?
Unexpected situations can arise at any time. Therefore, it’s important for all adults to have protections in place, not just the elderly. An Advance Medical Directive allows you to give instructions for your doctor or caregiver if you fall into a coma or become terminally ill, seriously injured, or mentally incapacitated.
What Happens to My Estate Plan if I Get a Divorce?
When life changes, it is important to remember to get your estate planning documents updated. A divorce is no exception to this rule. The marital settlement agreement, which is required to finalize a divorce in California, will generally void most joint living trusts and wills between spouses.
What Happens if I Die Without a Will?
A will is a document that gives legal power to your wishes and desires after you pass. It allows you the power to reach from beyond the grave and bind your heirs to uphold your decisions and wishes as clearly laid out on paper.
What is a Durable Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney is a legal document where you (the “principle”), give another person (the “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”) the legal authority to act on your behalf.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in California?
While Californians are used to cooling off at the beach, they must also abide by the 6-month “cooling off” period before getting divorced. This date begins from the day the Respondent is served with the initial divorce petition documents or from when they first respond in court, whichever is first.
5 Reasons an Attorney Should Draft Your Power of Attorney Document
A power of attorney document creates a relationship between 1) a principal and 2) an agent, or attorney-in-fact. In a principal/agent relationship, one individual acts in place of the other.
How to Protect Your Trademark
If you are selling goods or services through interstate commerce, it is important to protect your brand as early as possible. Trademark registration allows you to enforce your rights and prevent infringement by your competition.
Why Do I Need a Will?
A will is a legal document that allows you to provide specific instructions for distribution of your assets and can be used to pre-select guardians, if you have children
10 Signs that an Uncontested Divorce is Right for You
There are two types of divorce in the state of California, “contested” and “uncontested.” Both contested and uncontested divorces are very common in the Golden State. A case is “contested” when you and your spouse disagree on one or more issues, such as property, finances, debt, child custody, child support or spousal support. Although no divorce is ever truly “uncontested,” the term applies when the parties don’t have any disagreements that require resolution in court.
Quiz: Is an Uncontested Divorce Right for You?
If you and your spouse are contemplating separation, consider limiting your costs by pursuing an uncontested divorce. Although no divorce is ever truly “uncontested,” the term applies when the parties don’t have any disagreements that require resolution in court. Take the following quiz to find out if an uncontested divorce may be right for you.
10 Crazy SoCal Laws You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
There are many outdated laws all across the U.S. that seem downright weird in modern times. Southern California itself has a few crazy and outdated laws that may leave you scratching your head.
Should You Make a Roommate Contract?
Whether living with a partner or just a group of friends, a cohabitation/roommate agreement can help establish the terms of your relationship to avoid future conflict and allow for a peaceful living environment. Conflicts are avoided from the start since each party’s role has been clearly defined.
10 Thing You Need to Know About Prenup Agreements
The “prenup” also known as a prenuptial or premarital agreement is created between prospective spouses who are considering getting married sometime in the near future.
12 New California Laws for 2018
As we all try to adjust to 2018, it is important to also consider the new laws going into effect across the state. Governor Brown and the legislature passed almost 900 bills in 2017 addressing a wide array of issues.
How Much Does It Cost To Go To Court?
Most people do not fully consider the cost of a court case until communication with the opposing party has deteriorated to a deadlock. When considering whether to pursue resolution of a dispute, the most important decision is the amount of time, effort and money you are willing to expend.
Why do music streaming services like Pandora, Google Play, and Spotify place so many restrictions on users?
According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which represents the major music industry labels, streaming music helped drive an 11% increase in music sales in 2016. Streaming revenues increased 69%, representing a majority of the industry’s sales (51%) for the first time in history. This figure represents a dramatic shift from the early 2000’s when more than 80% of revenues came from the sale of physical copies (CDs, Vinyls, and Videos). The digital revolution has transformed the music industry over a few short decades, allowing on-demand wireless access with the touch of a button.
How Comedians and YouTube Stars Get Around Copyright Laws
Ever wonder how comedians and YouTube stars get away with replicating copyrighted works? From famous performers like “Weird Al” Yankovic, Dave Chappelle, and the actors of Saturday Night Live to independent personalities on YouTube, the Fair Use Doctrine offers certain authors special protection against claims of copyright infringement.
10 Things You Can Copyright
The U.S. Copyright Office has registered an average of 516,000 Copyrights per year since 2000. Following are 10 Copyrightable Subject matter and examples that can apply for copyrights registration. If you have created any of the original works listed, contact our office or a local attorney to learn more about copyright protection.
Can I Trademark My Name?
If you are involved in the world of entertainment, plan to use your name in commerce and your name has developed a “secondary meaning” (distinctiveness) to consumers of your brand, then you may be able to trademark your name.
When Does My Landlord Have to Return My Security Deposit?
If you are currently renting, or looking to put down a deposit on a new apartment in SoCal’s hot rental market, it is imperative to understand the legal basics of security deposits.
How a Trademark Can Protect Your Brand
When building a new business, the importance of a brand should not be underestimated. Proper branding allows customers to find and recognize your products, as distinguished from competitors and knock-offs.
Does My Boss Own My Intellectual Property?
From independent-contractor software engineers to salaried script writers, intellectual property ownership rights are often at issue and rarely clearly defined.
How to Know if Your Work is Copyrightable
For a short time, artists and inventors have exclusive rights to their creative works before they enter the public sphere. This protection is offered to award innovation and prevent others from misappropriating an author’s hard-earned creation.
29 Things Unmarried Couples Should Know About Cohabitation Agreements
No matter the details of your relationship, a cohabitation (or “living together”) agreement can help to settle disputes, divide property and can even provide support for a partner following a breakup or in the unfortunate event of death.