Business News

Every November, a few turkeys wander into our office. Nice people, good intentions, and one of these five lines:“I’ve got a will.” Good. A will is your ticket to and instruction sheet for probate court. In California, probate on a $1 million home can run about $46,000 in statutory attorney and...

Ways to potentially limit the effect of federal income taxes on gains from your portfolio.You likely hope the investments you hold will rise in value. Still, you have to be aware of how capital gains in the value of your investments may increase your income tax liability when you sell the...

In modern corporate leadership, passive oversight is a recipe for operational mediocrity. A chief executive officer cannot lead an enterprise with fractional dedication or diluted focus, because executive authority is inherently an all-or-nothing endeavor. Across every industry and market...

High-asset divorces often capture public attention because they involve extraordinary wealth, luxury lifestyles, and complex legal battles. One of the most famous examples is the divorce between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott, which became one of the largest divorce settlements...

Being in a new environment can feel unsettling. Whether you’re starting a new job, moving to a new neighborhood, or finding your place within a new group of friends, all the familiar reference points seem to disappear. The routines, faces, and places that once helped you feel grounded are...

According to Giving USA, Americans give $592.5 billion to charity annually.1People give to support causes or leave a legacy.Some strategies may increase impact and offer potential tax benefits.Common charitable choices include:Direct gifts go to a charity and may be tax deductible.Charitable...

Retirement should be guaranteed, not projected—and your wishes should be planned, not left to chance.A living trust is about more than deciding who receives your assets after you pass away. It is also about protecting your plans, managing your assets, and preparing for the possibility that you...

Every spring, business owners ask me, “Is there anything we can do to lower this?” By then, the year is already over. The real savings happen before December 31. Here are three moves worth making now.1. Put your kids on payroll.If your children do real work for your business, you can pay them a...

As a business owner, managing taxes is often one of the most complex and stressful aspects of running a company. With constantly evolving tax laws, deductions, and compliance requirements, the need for professional business tax services has never been greater. CPA’s specializing in business...

California voters will consider several measures affecting state and local taxation on November 3. The measures take different approaches: some would maintain or create taxes, while others would place restrictions on future taxation. For voters primarily concerned about taxes, these measures...

Divorce is one of life’s most challenging events, and when high-net-worth individuals are involved, the complications multiply, as the process can become exceptionally contentious and complex. The complexity of these cases arises from several factors, but are often centered around Asset...

Most local businesses do not have a lead problem. They have a follow-up problem. A call goes to voicemail on a busy afternoon. A website form sits in an inbox until Monday. A quote request gets answered after the customer has already hired someone else. The demand was there; the response was...

When legal challenges affect your business or family, experience matters. The Law Offices of Richard A. Marcus brings more than 30 years of experience to helping clients navigate contracts, disputes, and complex litigation.Admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of California and...

One of the greatest fears of our elderly is that they may require nursing home care. This not only means a great loss of personal autonomy, but also a tremendous financial expense.Depending on location and level of care, nursing homes cost between $85,000 and $196,000 per year. According to the...

  As 2026 enters its final months, most taxpayers aren’t thinking about April 2027 yet. But if something unexpected changed your financial picture this year,now is the time to understand the tax consequences—not when your return is being prepared.Good tax planning isn’t about predicting...

  Many people mistakenly believe that a Living Trust and a Living Will are the same document. While both are important components of a comprehensive estate plan, they serve very different purposes. A Living Will focuses on your healthcare wishes if you become unable to communicate, while a...

October already. The kids and grandkids are back in school, the Halloween decorations went up before the school supplies were paid off, and somebody in the family has started the annual negotiation over who is hosting Thanksgiving.Here is something I notice every year about this time. Clients...