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The estate tax applies to property all property transferred from a deceased person to his or her heirs. The tax applies to estates worth more than about $5.4 million ($10.9 million for married couples.) The top estate tax rate is 40 percent, though experts find that the average tax paid is less than 17 percent. President Obama’s threatens to veto the bill.

A power of attorney, or POA, allows a person to act on your behalf as your agent, or attorney-in-fact. A power of attorney is often used as an estate planning tool for when a person becomes incapacitated, but it has other purposes as well.

Becker Law Group and McNicholas & McNicholas, filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the parents of, David Wang, James Hong and George Chen, who were murdered by Elliot Rodger in the Capri Apartments before Elliot Roger went on shooting spree within Isla Vista, UCSB’s college town. The suit names Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD), Capri Apartments in Isla Vista, CA and Asset Campus Housing as defendants. With regard to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, the suit alleges violations of the victims’ constitutional rights pursuant to 28 USC 1983.

A plea of guilty differs greatly from a plea of no contest, or nolo contendere. When a defendant pleads guilty to a misdemeanor, he or she is admitting the facts and the charge. When a person pleads no contest to a misdemeanor, he or she admits no guilt. Rather, a plea of no contest to a misdemeanor states that you are not guilty, but you agree to be treated as if you are guilty, and have the court determine the proper punishment.

When you engage with the court, it is important to understand the court's duty and responsibilities. Such an understanding will enable you to understand your job in court, whether represented by counsel or not, and how you may assist the court in performing its duties.

The protections from retaliation are the same protections afforded employees who actually make complaints about illegal conduct.

$1 billion in budget cuts to California Courts leads Judge Mize and several other judges to pave a straighter path. Two days a month, Judge James Mize helps couples complete simple divorces so they can get on with their lives. Developed in Sacramento, Judge Mize attempts to make the sometimes maddening, intimidating and frequently confounding process a bit easier.

January 1, 2015 signaled the beginning of hundreds of new laws in California. One of these laws found its genesis in the Isla Vista shooting while others from broader environmental issues.

Deputy Public Defender Jami Tillotson was arrested for preventing police from questioning or photographing her client at the San Francisco Hall of Justice.

Friday a week ago, the California Supreme Court decided to prohibit state judges from belonging to the Boy Scouts of America because it is an organization the practices "invidious discrimination” Judges will have until January 21, 2016 to earn all of their badges.