
Year-End Tax Strategies for Personal Taxes
- by Valensi Rose, PLC
With year-end approaching, it is time to start thinking about moves that may help lower your personal tax bill for this year and next. Whether or not proposed tax increases become effective next year, the standard year-end approach of deferring income and accelerating deductions to minimize taxes will continue to produce the best results for all but the highest-income taxpayers, as will the bunching of deductible expenses into this year or next to avoid restrictions and maximize deductions.

Unlawful May Not Be Actionable
- by Lynne S. Goldstein
Consumer protection laws are intended to ensure that business entities follow the law and that their customers do not suffer harm due to their business practices.

More Housing or More Bedrooms?
- by M. Laurie Murphy
California has a severe shortage of affordable homes, prompting legislators and policymakers to push for changes in local zoning rules that would increase the housing supply. However, many communities fiercely resist measures that could change the character of their single-family neighborhoods.

An Arbitrator Cannot Appear Biased
- by M. Laurie Murphy
Like a judge presiding over a trial, an arbitrator charged with arbitrating a dispute must not only treat all parties fairly, but must avoid doing anything that might suggest his or her decision was affected by bias.

If “Sole Custody” Conflicts With “Best Interests”
- by Jessica Stemple
In a divorce, custody of children may be awarded jointly to the former couple or, if circumstances warrant, a court may give sole legal custody to only one of the parents. But what happens if a parent with sole custody makes a decision that the other parent thinks is not in the best interests of the child?

When Deadlines Can Turn Deadly
- by M. Laurie Murphy
Most businesses need work to be performed on a schedule, and this can be especially true in the entertainment industry, with its opening nights and “the show must go on” tradition.