When you’ve been wronged by someone else, intentionally or by accident, and your injuries are substantial, you may be left wondering if you have a legal remedy in the form of a lawsuit. In order to have a civil lawsuit case, there has to be some legal theory supporting the other party’s liability. This is […]
Tax problems are a special kind of misery. The U.S. Tax Code is so complicated most people just try to muddle through it every year and hope no one is paying too much attention. Then one day, a letter arrives and it turns out the government was paying attention—now they’re demanding money you don’t have, […]
Power of attorney (POA) is a very useful legal instrument that authorizes someone to make decisions on your behalf. Similar to an executor who has the power to handle your affairs after you pass away, the person to whom you grant power of attorney (called an “agent” or “attorney, in fact”) has the power to […]
Estate planning is a unique area of law. It’s not adversarial, so it’s relatively easy to accomplish all your goals, but if you make any mistakes, you won’t be around to fix them. For this reason, it’s essential to put a lot of thought into every aspect of your estate plan and benefit from a […]
Something unique about our homes provokes a deep emotional response during disputes. Not only is it the place where we live, but for most families, it is by far the largest financial investment they will make. Combine this with the complexity of modern property conveyances, and one can see why property disputes are so common. […]
Everyone is familiar with a lawsuit; in fact, many people will be involved in one at some point in their life. (If you’ve ever received a notification regarding a class action, you’ve likely been a party to a lawsuit.) But unfortunately, most people don’t know what to expect after filing a lawsuit. Here we’ll go […]
Small businesses go through many changes as they develop and grow. A company that starts out as just one person and an idea can become an organization with hundreds of employees and multiple locations. A business’ growth is invariably accompanied by greater responsibilities and—for better or worse—greater legal burdens. What’s more, creating a strong business […]
Everyone should have an estate plan—we are have at least some possessions to pass on—yet most people will put off creating an estate plan as long as possible. It’s easy to understand why, but the fact is that while it’s never too early to make an estate plan, someday, it will be too late. If […]
When debt piles up beyond what you can manage, it can feel like drowning. You receive a constant flood of letters and phone calls from collectors, and the compounding interest takes on a life of its own. For people in this situation, declaring bankruptcy can be an attractive option. It wipes out many, if not […]
Buying a home consistently ranks as one of the most stressful life events people experience. Not only is a lot of money on the line (for most of us, it is the single largest purchase we’ll ever make), but our hopes and dreams for the future are tied up in it. Home buyers regularly consult […]
For most people, selling and buying real estate will be their most complicated experience with contracts. There are many moving parts: home loans, escrow, title transfers, easements, and more. Thankfully, the process is so common that for most people, it will go relatively smoothly (even if it is frustrating at the moment), and the buyer […]
Life is always changing. With it, our estate planning needs to change as well. As far as major life upheavals go, nothing quite compares to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. As it appears to be winding down, at least we hope, now is a good time to take a hard look at your existing estate plan […]
Although estate planning affects virtually everyone during their life and after it, there’s a lot of misunderstanding about it. This misunderstanding extends to estate planning attorneys as well, to the point where many are unsure what it is they do and whether one is necessary. What Is an Estate Planning Attorney? Understanding what an estate […]
Everyone deserves a home; in California, nearly half of all households rent their home. Luckily, California also has some of the strongest tenant protections in the country. However, these protections don’t have much meaning if renters don’t know about them, so we’ll cover some of California’s most important tenant rights. Right to Non-Discrimination Both federal […]
Real estate transactions are time-consuming and often stressful, so we want them to go as smoothly as possible. Sometimes things go wrong, however, and litigation may be necessary due to the value and importance of the transaction. Here are buyers’ and sellers’ most common causes of real estate litigation. Breach of Contract Real estate transactions […]
From Bankers Hill to La Jolla, Hoffman & Forde represents clients across Southern California with clear counsel, strategic insight, and results that hold up under pressure.