tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66439623917473963302024-03-18T21:49:47.155-07:00Norris Ex CuriaA Law Blog:
Family Law and more...Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-37259563042492548252012-07-11T17:05:00.001-07:002012-07-23T16:05:08.518-07:00This Site Has Moved....<h2>
<b>This site has moved to the following address:</b></h2>
<h2>
<a href="http://norrislaw.wordpress.com/"><b>norrislaw.wordpress.com</b></a></h2>
<h2>
<b> </b></h2>
<h2>
<b>Farewell Blogspot! </b></h2>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-37730388385791649852012-07-11T12:03:00.001-07:002012-07-11T12:06:13.670-07:00Commercial Lease Tips for the Business Owner (the unrequited lease)Here is an overview of some common issues that arise when a
small (or any) business owner negotiates with a landlord over a lease
agreement. Routinely, landlords write
leases and tenants sign them without negotiating, changing language, or having
their attorneys read over them. Having
an attorney spend a half hour reading a lease can save you tens of thousands of
dollars in losses down the road. Keep in
mind as you read that this is a negotiation and some landlords may not be
willing to budge on some of these issues.
The idea is not to have the upper hand, but for things to be fair
between the parties. Most leases are
written by landlords and are pretty slanted in their favor. Here are some common commercial lease snafus
and how to deal with them.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Exclusivity</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Almost every commercial lease has an exclusivity
clause. However, these clauses are rarely,
if ever, mutual. You move into a retail
shopping center. You operate a smoothie
business. There is a CVS drug store in
the center. You sign a covenant “Not to
compete with, sell, display, or sublease to any business selling or displaying
health, beauty, vitamins, dietary supplements, prescription drugs, or over the
counter drugs.” Sounds fair, right? The problem is that most exclusivity clauses
protect the “Anchor” tenant, but fail to give you protection. <br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An acquaintance recently ran into this problem. He agreed not to compete with any retail
business currently in place at the date of his lease agreement. However, the covenant was not mutual. The landlord never promised not to lease
space to another tenant competing with him.
A competing smoothie business moved in two doors down from him. Did he have any recourse? Probably not.
He may have a breach of good faith and fair dealing claim, but that’s
tenuous as best.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make the feeling mutual.
Something like:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
“Tenant, and any successor,
assignee, or sublessor covenants not to compete with any other business
occupying the premises, while Landlord covenants not to allow the operation of
any business that would compete with tenant, successor, assignee or sublessor
operating a _______ business.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Commencement Date</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So many leases set commencement upon, “Substantial
completion of tenant improvements.” What
does that mean? What are
substantial? Which tenant
improvements? Avoid ambiguous language. Set guide-posts that are concrete and in <u>your</u>
control. Lease commences upon grant of
certificate of occupancy? Lease
commences upon clearance with Department of Health? Lease commences upon completion of flooring,
signage, and certificate of occupancy?
Give the commencement date clause something to hang a hat on. Make sure that you don’t pay rent until
improvements are complete—or that rent is reduced at a calculable rate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Operating Expenses</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most commercial leases require tenants to pay a percentage
of operating expenses. Many times this is
called “Additional Rent.” Review the
expenses that the landlord will pass on and make sure that they are reasonable
and directly related to the building’s operations. Certain costs should not be passed on to the
tenant. Determine whether the allocation
of expenses is based upon a fully occupied building or, if not, that they are
properly adjusted. You may want to
negotiate a cap on “Additional Rent/Operating Expenses.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Common Area Maintenance
Charges</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, there is rent, additional rent, and now common area
maintenance fees. Sure you want to be a
tenant? Common area maintenance charges (CAM)
are similar to “Additional Rent” except it commonly covers items such as
security costs, painting, maintenance of common areas, etc. You need to review records to determine what CAM
charges are been historically and whether or not they are based on full
occupation or adjusted. If a number of
tenants move out, you don’t want to be stuck with the whole CAM bill. Similar to operating expenses, it’s advisable
to negotiate a cap on CAM charges.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Attorney Fees</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Almost any lease contract is going to mention attorney
fees. Don’t get too hung up on it. California Civil Code 1717 ensures that any
contract provision about attorney fees has to be reciprocal even if it doesn’t
say so. That’s great. However, lawyers have become savvy and write
clauses like, “Any attorney fees or costs incurred in collecting rent or
commissions are payable by the losing party.”
Uh oh. Even if § 1717 demands reciprocal
fees, the clause only applies to actions regarding the collection of rent or
commissions. Tenants are not going to be
collecting rent or commissions, landlords are.
So, although § 1717 demands that if a tenant sues the landlord in an
action regarding commissions, they can also get attorneys fees—the chances are
they would sue about something other than the collection of commissions or rent. Make sure that any attorney fee provision is as
broad or narrow as you want it to be.
Like, “Any costs or attorney fees that <u>arise from this contract</u>
or its enforcement are payable by the losing party.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Use Restrictions (and
subleases)</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Use restrictions are common and are another means of
creating exclusivity. That’s well and
good, but they may be extremely restrictive and prevent subleasing. Common use restrictions sound like, “the
premises may be used for the operation of a retail shoe store and for no other
purpose without the prior written consent of the landlord.” You may want to negotiate a broader clause
like, “the premises may only be used for operations of any lawful retail
business,” or “any lawful professional business practice.” The less restrictive, the greater chance you
will have of subleasing if you have to in the future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Recapture/Relocation</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most tenants have trouble understanding recapture. That’s because its economically
ludicrous. Here you have promised to pay
rent, completed improvements on the lease space, for some reason you inquire
about assignment or subleasing and the landlord comes and pulls the rug out
from underneath you, kicking you out.
Permitted? Yes, if there is a
recapture provision. Common recapture
provisions sound like:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
“Landlord retains the right of
termination and recapture upon tenant’s inquiry into assignment or sublease or
any other event that gives Landlord reason to believe that due performance will
be impaired.”<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The point is that they don’t want you subleasing for a rate
lower than the lease amount. Having a
below-par tenant brings down the value of the property or makes the
anchor-tenant nervous. That makes
sense. That’s why there is probably a
clause that requires any sublease to be commercially reasonable. But, holy cow. Under the language above, if you simply ask
whether or not you can assign the lease to an affiliate-- they can terminate
the lease. Make sure there is no
recapture provision.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="8" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Exit Strategies: Vacancies,
Retail Mix, and More</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have an exit strategy.
What happens when operating expenses and/or common area maintenance
charges exceed what is reasonable for your bottom line? What happens with the anchor-tenant leaves
and you are leasing space in a dead retail shopping center? We have all seen those shopping centers where
there is one lonely video rental store and ten empty units with weeds growing
in the parking lot. Have a clause that
allows termination electable by tenant upon certain events. It can sound something like the following:<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
“Landlord agrees that tenant and
any successors in interest may terminate this lease without penalty if any one of
the following events occur:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in; text-indent: -1.0in;">
<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>Retail occupancy falls below 65%;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in; text-indent: -1.0in;">
<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>ii.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>The Anchor-tenant Ralphs Supermarket terminates
or otherwise fails to occupy retail space within the complex;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in; text-indent: -1.0in;">
<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>iii.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>Combined monthly Common Area Maintenance fees
and monthly Additional Rent equate more that 33% of monthly lease rental
payments;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in; text-indent: -1.0in;">
<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>iv.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>Landlord fails to accept a commercially
reasonable assignment or sublease;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in; text-indent: -1.0in;">
<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>v.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>Landlord leases space to another business who
competes with tenant named on this lease or any successor in interest in a
similar line of business.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -.25in; text-indent: -1.0in;">
<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>vi.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>The Retail Mix of the complex is significantly
altered from the Mix at the commencement of the lease. Significant alteration is defined as a change
of more than 25% in any given business category. At the date of this agreement, the Retail Mix
of the complex is 50% professional, 40% consumer retail, 10% industrial.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-21850846732807061492012-07-10T11:17:00.003-07:002012-07-10T11:17:39.266-07:00Quotes<span class="huge">Divorce is a declaration of independence with only two signers.</span>
<br />
<span class="bodybold"><br />
</span>
<br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/06/obituaries/gerald-f-lieberman.html">Gerald F. Lieberman</a><br />
</span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-11977737620841897742012-07-10T11:11:00.001-07:002012-07-10T11:17:51.267-07:00Sanctions, Sanctions, Sanctions! (Family code 271)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
All too often in family law parties stonewall one
another. They make frivolous requests. They inundate the other side with faxes,
emails, messages, letters, useless interrogatories, and more. They refuse to accept a very reasonable
settlement offer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What can a poor spouse do, but go to trial or cave and take
a low-ball settlement offer? Family Code
§ 271 is here to help. Basically, § 271
says that if the other side doesn’t play ball or doesn’t play nice the court
can make them pay the other side's attorney fees. Awesome.
It applies even if the paying spouse doesn’t have a lawyer
themselves. Here is the text of § 271:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
(a)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Notwithstanding any other
provision of this code, the court may base an award of attorney's fees and
costs on the extent to which the conduct of each party or attorney furthers or
frustrates the policy of the law to <u>promote settlement</u> of litigation
and, where possible, to reduce the cost of litigation by encouraging <u>cooperation</u>
between the parties and attorneys.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So,
remember to play nice, or else you be paying for your ex’s legal fees.</div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-15316682678570348822012-07-06T15:49:00.001-07:002012-07-10T11:18:25.926-07:00Domestic Partnership Summary Termination (Cheaper than divorce with a 6 month rescission period)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 294.35pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CbGWxwdu4SJWUxHJI6PNK2uBzQUuX77SEYjLaqqrtpp8SWrsxhyphenhyphenolZtwdj60_GTBJaoQuA_444B-Q2MRs0HnJQqbnukkmDqCbio7JEGpgci-tqaUqrINwfJDhE256BS9V3R80udyM3e_/s1600/Domestic+Partnership.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CbGWxwdu4SJWUxHJI6PNK2uBzQUuX77SEYjLaqqrtpp8SWrsxhyphenhyphenolZtwdj60_GTBJaoQuA_444B-Q2MRs0HnJQqbnukkmDqCbio7JEGpgci-tqaUqrINwfJDhE256BS9V3R80udyM3e_/s200/Domestic+Partnership.jpg" width="200" /></a>California changed domestic
partnership law drastically in 2005.
Many code sections related to domestic partnership were revised, including
the one regarding terminating domestic partnerships. Post-2005 there are two tracks that domestic
partners can take when they want to “divorce” one another. If they qualify and want to, they can
participate in summary termination procedures.
Track One: Summary termination procedures are free to file, there are no
hearings, and it’s relatively easy (yes people—you are getting jealous). Track Two:
Full judicial dissolution of the domestic partnership in a process that
mirrors dissolution of marriage in almost every way (more complicated, more
expensive, more time consuming).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 294.35pt;">
<u>Do I Qualify For Summary
Termination?</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 294.35pt;">
Under Family Code § 299, there is
a list of requirements to summarily terminate a domestic partnership. They are incredibly similar to Family Code §
2400, which covers summary dissolution of marriage. Here are the qualifications set out in § 299:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>Both Parties Agree;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>Neither Party Wants Spousal Support (yes you can
get spousal support as domestic partners);</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>The Length of the Partnership Was Under 5 years;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>Neither Party Owns Real Property or a Lease On
Property Greater Than 1 year;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>The Community as a Whole Doesn’t have more than
$4,000 in debt (not counting automobiles);</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>The Community Doesn’t have more than $25,000 in
assets(not counting automobiles);</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>The Parties have signed a community property
settlement agreement;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>Neither party is pregnant;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>Neither party had a child during the
partnership; AND</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>Neither party adopted a child during the
partnership.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in;">
<u>What Next?</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in;">
If you qualify and have a written
agreement, then you file a simple form with the Secretary of State’s Office. However, and this is a big however: either
party can cancel within 6 months before the summary termination is effective
(it’s like a 6-month rescission period).
That’s right. Five months and 29
days later one of the parties can file a Revocation of Termination with the
Secretary of State. Then it’s off to
court to have the partnership dissolved just like a marriage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in;">
<u>What’s The Big Deal?</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in;">
The big deal is that California is
making domestic partnership more and more similar to marriage. Now, Federal law hasn’t quite caught up yet,
so the tax and medical benefits aren’t necessarily there yet. So now domestic partners get the protections
offered by the California Family Code (like custody and support provisions),
but at the end of the relationship-- a pair of partners might be looking at a
divorce process very similar to a married couple.</div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-56133011890070004652012-07-03T08:37:00.004-07:002012-07-03T08:38:04.690-07:00Fatty liver, discrete trial training, salvaged cars, and tattoos (New state laws starting July 1, 2012)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
California state laws always start in January or July. This year’s laws going into effect the other
day on July 1 are a strange mix. If you
ever wondered what your state assemblymen were talking about in the green
carpeted hall (that really is some ugly <a href="https://www.google.com/search?num=10&hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&q=california+state+assembly&oq=california+state+assembly&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24l9.529.4834.0.4930.25.14.0.5.5.1.443.3072.4j3j3j1j3.14.0...0.0.d6_5yEwa0LI&biw=1366&bih=639&sei=qRDzT7buHKa98AHP9cTwDw">carpeting</a>) in Sacramento—its foie gras, autism, tattoos, and bullying. Of the new laws, I think the bullying law is
my favorite, in that it expands the definition of bullying to include online
behavior. I think there is probably more
bullying on facebook than on the school bus these days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7IG5zcRFtXWQBJy9ZTZwrVy6xYVTSJBZJRb24ySuo1vuOyU8R93r-Z_1R7Nv-wbZFMA-bSIhomGVh1zkQn2xdqmoi8tjBb_DjMpU0YHVNUa2jfZrB27Osjq5HmfBl7LpFEJvFIjiSh7M/s1600/Foie+gras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7IG5zcRFtXWQBJy9ZTZwrVy6xYVTSJBZJRb24ySuo1vuOyU8R93r-Z_1R7Nv-wbZFMA-bSIhomGVh1zkQn2xdqmoi8tjBb_DjMpU0YHVNUa2jfZrB27Osjq5HmfBl7LpFEJvFIjiSh7M/s200/Foie+gras.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">SB1520 bans the sale of
foie gras, duck or goose liver that has been fattened by force feeding the
animals with tubes shoved down their gullets (I don't care how gourmet it is or how depressed your resident gastronome is, foie gras is cruel and wrong);</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">AB1215 requires used car
dealers to put bright red stickers labeling salvaged or junked cars;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">AB300 requires tattoo
artists to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B, get basic first aid
training, and follow statewide standards on sanitation (about time!);</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">AB1156 provides training
for school employees on bullying prevention and expands the definition of
bullying to include posting material on social media websites; and</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">SB946 requires health
insurance carriers to cover behavioral therapy for those with autism, such
as discrete trial training, which can be very costly when paid out-of-pocket.</li>
</ul>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-76225565051537439332012-06-29T11:36:00.001-07:002012-07-10T11:19:01.139-07:00Triple threat (tenants rejoice and landlords beware!)It's a classic story. You lease an apartment. Everything is wonderful. You move out and are supposed to get your deposit in the mail. What you get back wouldn't buy you a large popcorn in the movie theater. Accompanying your measly check is an ambiguously worded explanation and a checklist which includes: paint, carpet, carpet padding, cleaning fee, processing, supplies, etc. The place looked spotless or at least copacetic when you left it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTguzNpcmUvqsFo3ErhhyBCCJGdo26DzNKTJCKRYhhu404HkjKieIkrZDdhk12IX86vpXZ4kwyPAhDXKz49FkmCYzOwqU_QRw_irJCRLFbKhEa8PWalBvGLbbuicJVns-Z_eZgijt696H/s1600/Lock+money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTguzNpcmUvqsFo3ErhhyBCCJGdo26DzNKTJCKRYhhu404HkjKieIkrZDdhk12IX86vpXZ4kwyPAhDXKz49FkmCYzOwqU_QRw_irJCRLFbKhEa8PWalBvGLbbuicJVns-Z_eZgijt696H/s200/Lock+money.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<br />
They have your money. They have a team of lawyers. You have a check worth a large popcorn, need the deposit for a new apartment and are up a creek without a paddle. What is a tenant to do? Guess what? California Civil Code Section 1950.5 comes to the rescue! It's a triple threat! <br />
<br />
Section 1950.5 says that if your landlord in bad faith retains your deposit, you can be awarded statutory damages equal to twice the deposit amount, in addition to whatever real damages are awarded. That means if your real damages are the full deposit, you can be awarded up to three times the deposit amount in all. Pretty awesome huh?<br />
<br />
So next time you get that B.S. list of new paint and carpet don't cash that check! File a breach of contract suit and ask for real and statutory damages under Section 1950.5. It might buy a whole lot more than popcorn.Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-54116113298358908772012-06-27T16:39:00.001-07:002012-06-27T16:39:07.017-07:00Writs of execution (sounds like $$$$)I was recently asked online whether or not someone's former spouse could, in his words, "attack my damn pension" because of spousal support arrears. Many times payee spouses (those who are supposed to be receiving support) feel like there is nothing they can do when the other spouse fails to pay. They feel powerless. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66d8tSsGGBnEFv0THm5v0pW9xpmH2Vr8Zvz0pnAhWn4suisDLb91gHboMMjQvx9cC0j8t9cr2TF7-pxHYPraIYwKZa0PifIP6paw1HF26sHeCnu8FNAfmd4z6VR_DP3B6TCIzk9ufWDa2/s1600/Cash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66d8tSsGGBnEFv0THm5v0pW9xpmH2Vr8Zvz0pnAhWn4suisDLb91gHboMMjQvx9cC0j8t9cr2TF7-pxHYPraIYwKZa0PifIP6paw1HF26sHeCnu8FNAfmd4z6VR_DP3B6TCIzk9ufWDa2/s200/Cash.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
That is why we have the writ of execution and wage garnishment. Under <u>California Family Code</u> Section 5100 et seq. the payee can get a writ of
execution against the other party's property and have the sheriff collect it for
them. In addition, section 5103 goes on to specifically include employee benefit
plans such as 401k plans. Cars, bank accounts, boats, 401k's, etc. are all fair game. One limit is a hardship exception, but that exception does not usually apply. <br />
<br />
In addition to writs of execution, spouses can garnish future wages. Now, wage garnishment is subject to Federal limitations. The lesser of the following can be garnished.<br />
<ul>
<li>
The amount by which a debtor’s weekly income is greater than 30 times
the minimum wage. The current minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, making the
30 hour weekly total $217.50. This leaves the debtor with something to
live on, though it clearly can be less than is needed to meet minimum
obligations.</li>
<li>
25% of disposable income. Disposable income is defined as the income
that is left after all legally required deductions are taken from a
person’s paycheck. This include Federal and State Taxes, FICA, State
Unemployment and Disability Taxes , with “disposable income” defined as
income left after legally required deductions from a person’s paycheck,
such as FICA. Other obligations, such as voluntary contributions to
retirement accounts, deductions for medical, dental or vision insurance,
or contribution to a Medical Savings Account are not exempt and will be
considered part of the disposable income.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Now, your former spouse may sell their car, hide the cash under the mattress, get an illegitimate cash under-the-table job, not own a boat, or a retirement plan and avoid any susceptibility to your collection efforts. But here's hoping they didn't read this blogpost. If they are hiding everything at least you get to enjoy the fact that you are making them live life on the run.Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-54842150078712127592012-06-22T09:28:00.005-07:002012-06-22T09:29:09.844-07:00The SUV tax loophole (let’s just write the whole thing off)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The internal revenue code allows business to deduct the
expense of vehicles, but puts restrictions (a cap) on the total amount
businesses can deduct. The idea was that
dentists and lawyers (those damn lawyers) were buying luxury cars, and then
writing off the cost as expense and depreciation deductions. Congress changed the code (26 U.S.C. §280F)
to limit deductions taken for vehicle expenses.
The code section limits deductions to around $12,000 total spread out
over the life of the vehicle. However,
the limitation only applies to passenger vehicles. The code goes on to define passenger vehicles
(see § 280F (d)(5)) as any vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds or less. Uh oh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, if you want to depreciate the entire cost of your
vehicle it is not going to happen if you buy a Prius. However, if you choose to buy a tank to
deliver flowers in—well then by all means, please depreciate the whole
thing. I would love to drive to the
courthouse in a <a href="http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/the-marauder-part-2-series-17-episode-1">Marauder</a>
myself. The intent of this exception was
to allow farmers and construction workers to depreciate their necessary expenses. The result is that small business owners have
a huge incentive to buy gigantic SUVs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The auto industry knows about the tax loophole and designs
most of their SUV’s to be 6,000 pounds or greater. You can even find helpful <a href="http://www.alphaleasing.com/businessaspects/over6000gvwr.asp">lists</a>
online of cars you can choose from in this weight category. I can image the meeting in Detroit where General
Motors executives say, “Why do these hippies want us to make the Navigator
smaller? Don’t they realize they will
lose their tax benefits? Let’s make a
smaller one for people who don’t own a small business and we’ll call it the
Aviator!” Most car companies now sell a
6,000+ pound version and a smaller than 6,000 pound version of the same
car. The BMW x5 (tank), x3 (not a tank);
the Dodge Traverse (tank) Nitro (not a tank); the Lincoln Navigator (tank), the
Aviator (not a tank); the Nissan Armada (tank), the Nissan Rogue (not a tank),
etc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
California tried to eliminate this tax loophole in 2004 with
Assembly Bill 848. The bill failed
miserably as noted in the <a href="http://www.sco.ca.gov/Press-Releases/2004/ab848_0130.pdf">press release
here</a>. So, carry on my fellow
Californians. Buy solar panels for your
home and business. Use tax money to
invest in renewable energy. Institute a
cash for clunkers program to get those SUVs off the road! Then buy tanks for your business so that you just
<s>call</s> write the whole thing off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-87848512588082533382012-06-20T13:05:00.002-07:002012-07-10T11:19:33.576-07:00You can’t have a key to my place and I don’t want that promotion (Status quo or else my ex will file an OSC)<div style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As dreary as
economics have been in recent times, one benefit derived from the “Great
Recession” has been an increase in labor mobility. Labor mobility—geographic and occupational,
describe the ebb and flow of workers from place to place and job to job. If all workers in the United States stayed in
the same area and at the same job, there would be little growth. When workers move around and change locations
and jobs it increases competition and stimulates the economy. So, what the heck does this have to do with
family law?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The spousal support scheme in California (and many other states)
dictates that support will remain the same unless there is a material change in
circumstances. <i>In re Marriage of Terry, </i>(2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 921, 928. A material change in circumstances includes
anything effecting the payee’s spouse’s needs or the ability of the payor
spouse to pay, including pay increases.
So, if the payor spouse changes jobs, gets a raise, etc. then there has
been a material change in circumstances.
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In addition, spousal support stops when the payee spouse
remarries. Although the public policy of
California is to support marriage, the law has the perverse effect of creating
a disincentive to remarry since payee spouses may be cut-off from support once
they remarry. In fact under California
Family Code § 4323, they may even see a reduction in support if they have a
cohabitant living with them. Under
§4323, once a payee spouse has a cohabitant living with them, there is a
rebuttable presumption of a decreased need for support since their cohabitant
should help shoulder some of the expenses. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRujs_x4Azra62PFvYNJbXeESk8onIw-MSWXITOpzaFY4uRXiHzuEpNxCmfNjsOwPAmyOTTp8mqfmu-0Gkz1TnJo7jTgw_DF1Fkd2lrTA6w4PFT_sMAZtGUfZY5Jx4jZb9yS5HyoqrxMLh/s1600/key+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRujs_x4Azra62PFvYNJbXeESk8onIw-MSWXITOpzaFY4uRXiHzuEpNxCmfNjsOwPAmyOTTp8mqfmu-0Gkz1TnJo7jTgw_DF1Fkd2lrTA6w4PFT_sMAZtGUfZY5Jx4jZb9yS5HyoqrxMLh/s200/key+pic.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So, although there are valid reasons for changing spousal support
upon changes in circumstances, terminating support upon remarriage, and reducing
support upon evidence of cohabitation, all of these policies create
disincentives to participate in both the economic and social marketplace. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-22405677394851892662012-06-18T12:16:00.003-07:002012-06-18T12:16:38.202-07:00The Tax Ramifications of Divorce (buy a car in december, get divorced in january)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During the
tumultuous end of a marriage, spouses seek counsel from therapists, friends,
family, and ministers. Few spouses think of asking their CPA about their
divorce. Divorce has several tax consequences. I recently spoke
with a man who received a $40,000 tax bill following his divorce (ouch) at the
same time he started paying spousal and child support. So, what are the
tax ramifications of divorce?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">January is a Beautiful Month for New Beginnings (and
divorce)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When you marry, the IRS gives you this great new
deduction. Few people think about the flip-side of that deduction at the
end of marriage. The IRS doesn’t care if you were married for part of a
year—they only grant you the deduction for being married if you are married the
entire year. The significant date is the finalization of the
divorce. The problem with that date is that it is somewhat hard to
predict. In California, divorces become final six months after judgment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, especially when issues are contested it can be
uncertain when things will get finalized. The worst thing that can happen
is that a spouse claims their dependent spouse all year long, a divorce is
finalized in December, and come April that spouse gets a big tax bill.
Attorneys can help their clients by working slowing or expediting the process
to help avoid finalization of the divorce at the very end of the year (like
December).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="2" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sell the House Fast or First (what’s better than
capital gains?)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Generally speaking, capital gains are long term investment
gains that are taxed at a lower rate. Capital gains are your
friend. However, the IRS has something even better in store for taxpayers
who are married and sell real estate. Under the tax code (28 USC § 121)
if you use real estate as your principal residence for over two years, you can
exclude $250,000 of gain if you are single, or you can exclude $500,000 if you
are married filing a joint return. Exclusion means just that—you don’t
have to pay taxes on that gain at all. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, if you get divorced, then sell the house you only get to
exclude $250,000 from gain. If you are lucky enough to be looking at
gaining over $250,000 from the sale of the property, couples should consider
selling the property before finalizing a divorce. The difficulty is that
given the harsh real estate market, couples may have the property sitting on
the market for some time before the property can be sold. However,
avoiding tax liability on another $250,000 worth of gain may be worth the wait.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="3" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Goodbye Tax Deduction (children as dependents)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The IRS helps families by giving deductions for children (a
policy that I think is ridiculous and unfair to those without children like me,
but I digress). Post-divorce, the spouse whom the court designates as the
custodian of the child gets to claim the deduction. So, the noncustodial
spouse loses the deduction. If a spouse had been claiming that deduction
all year long, then loses custody in December, that can hurt come April. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But, it gets more complicated: what happens when parents
share custody 50/50? It’s up to parents to figure out who gets to claim
the child as a dependent. If there are 2 children, most parents
agree to each take one of the children as a dependent. If there is one
child or an odd number of children, parents usually switch use of the claim
each year. The parents simply need to be careful not to both claim the
same child as a dependent, as the IRS will notice and will not be happy.
Whenever parental custody will be shared 50/50, parents should negotiate the
claim of children as dependents on taxes as a part of the divorce settlement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="4" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spousal Support Payments (the double-edged sword)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spousal support is a double-edged sword for both
parties. For the obligated party (payor), they have to pay support, but
can claim spousal support as an above-the line deduction. That means
spousal support does not need to be itemized. Above the line deductions
are better than below the line deductions as the deduction is taken before
arriving at one’s adjusted gross income. So, although the breadwinner may
have lost several tax deductions (ouch) and is obligated to pay support (ouch),
at least they get to claim spousal support as a deduction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, for the payee, things aren’t all cheery.
Although they are receiving support, spousal support is taxable income. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="5" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Child Support Payments (hear no evil see no evil)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For whatever reason, child support is a non-taxable
event. It is not deductible for the party paying. It is also not
claimed by the person receiving the child support. It is completely
tax-neutral. This is one of the few transactions that the IRS doesn’t
care about.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-58704658112823418542012-06-13T10:06:00.001-07:002012-07-10T11:20:00.372-07:00If you can’t say anything nice…<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We live in a digital age where social media connects us
all. Our friends have access to our
pictures and sometimes our innermost thoughts.
Combine this landscape with divorce or custody issues and disaster can
ensue. All too often Facebook and
texting become platforms to vent against the other spouse or parent. What recourse do you have when you spouse
goes off on Facebook or via text messages?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Defamation</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Defamation ( i.e. slander, libel) covers any published or
oral statement made to other parties that is false. So, if your spouse goes on Facebook and tells
everyone you slept with the postman, this would be defamation. The trouble is that even if you win, damages
are hard to establish. You can get an
injunction preventing similar posts in the future, but your reputation has
already been harmed. Defamation actions
are usually not the best recourse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Protective Orders</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
California Family Code §§ 6203 and 6320 describes the
circumstances that can give rise to protective orders and they include much more
than physical abuse. They include
verbal, telephonic or other harassment or disturbing the peace of the other
party directly or indirectly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Protective orders (also called restraining orders) are a
helpful tool, which slap someone on the wrist and tells them to knock it
off. The court will enjoin the party
from acting in a similar way in the future.
If protective order is granted, the court can also award attorney’s fees
and costs of receiving the order—making bad behavior very expensive. If the other party violates the order, they
can be held in contempt of court, have to pay fines, and depending on the order—end
up in jail. Some protective orders can
do other things, like order the custody of specific property, kick a party out
of a house, change the custody of a pet, order one party to pay specific bills,
or stay away from other family members. However,
just like defamation actions, protective orders do little to make up for past
harm. There are no money damages and
what is done is done. There are four
main types of protective orders and you need to choose the right one to apply for
based on the circumstances.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Don’t Say Anything At
All</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even if your spouse is a horrible person, saying bad things
about them online or harassing them by text or phone can be considered abuse
under FC § 6320. These comments can
result in attorney’s fees, costs, loss of firearms, loss of a job, etc. So, if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say
anything at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-top: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 0in 0in 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;">
If you are victim to domestic
violence and are in danger, please call 911 right away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For help finding a safe place to live in Ventura County
please contact the Ventura County Coalition Against Household Violence at 805-656-1111</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you would need legal guidance regarding a restraining
order, feel free to contact me at 805.876.4LAW</div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-46303243711374659962012-06-12T11:15:00.000-07:002012-06-12T11:15:37.064-07:00Cameron Joins the Law Office of Gary W. Norris<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m excited to announce that Cameron Norris has
joined the Law Office of Gary W. Norris in Camarillo, CA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The firm practices in the areas of Divorce,
Support, Custody, Wills, Trusts, Contracts and Business law issues including
business formation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>About Cameron:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cameron Graduated from Southwestern Law School at the top of
his class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While a student he worked on
the Hollywood Legal Legacy Project detailing the history of entertainment law
in Los Angeles—which resulted in a published article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cameron also worked with the Firm of Dickstein
Shapiro LLP to facilitate adoptions of foster children in Los Angeles
County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also received several
academic awards at Southwestern including three Dean’s Merit Scholar awards,
four Witkin Academic Excellence Awards, eight CALI Excellence for the Future
Awards, and the Gary and Pearl Cooperman Memorial Scholarship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cameron also maintains the popular blog <a href="http://www.blogger.com/norrislaw.blogspot.com">Norris Ex Curia</a>, which discusses practical
legal issues with a focus on family law. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before attending Southwestern, Cameron developed
extensive experience in the finance industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In their spare time, Cameron and his long-term girlfriend enjoy
horseback-riding and spending time with their five dogs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>About the Firm:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Law Office of Gary W. Norris is headed by Gary who has
practiced law in Ventura County since 1976.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gary Norris is a member of the California State Bar, numerous Federal
District Courts in California, as well as the Federal District Court in
Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The firm practice is primarily
focused on the areas of: divorce and family law disputes and court actions
involving business, real property and contract matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The firm is a member of the Ventura County Collaborative
Family Law Professionals group.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please feel free to contact me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cameron Norris, Esq.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
805-876-4LAW</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="mailto:Cameron@garynorrislaw.com">Cameron@garynorrislaw.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Norrislaw.blogspot.com</div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-43470206360304466882012-02-23T15:41:00.003-08:002012-02-23T15:56:20.410-08:00Nightmare divorce case (I'm taking some nitrogrlycerin right now)<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Some divorce cases are <a href="http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/H034104.PDF">complete nightmares</a>. Especially ones were one side has counsel and the other is pro per se. I really feel for husband's counsel in this case who must have had their patience tested all throughout. The original case was filed in 2005. This decision was published today (2/23/12), seven years later. In the end, the wife is deemed to be a "vexatious litigant" by the state and is sanctioned for several different reasons. She is sanctioned among other things for "a postjudgment order awarding sanctions against her for appealing an order awarding sanctions against her." Oh, the irony. The wife also served process on her husband (even though a non-party needs to) and forged the signature of a made up person on the proofs of service. And got caught. She also feigned illness trying to get a continuance and when it didn't work, walked out of court. </span><br />
<div class="Default"><br />
</div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The transcript when she feigns illness follows:</span></div><div class="Default"><br />
</div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Why don't you have a seat, please. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: I'm extremely ill, and as a matter of fact I'm taking some nitroglycerin right now. And I would appreciate it if the Court could continue this, because I cannot continue. I'd like to take this pill and then call 911. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Would you have a seat, please, Ms. Fyke. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: In a minute. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Would you have a seat, please, Ms. Fyke. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: Can you give me a minute to take this, please. </span></div><div class="Default" style="page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Ms. Fyke, I would like you to have a seat, please. Would you do that “ [KATHEY]: Can you give me ten seconds? </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE DEPUTY: Ms. Fyke, would you please have a seat. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: Just a minute, Your Honor. I just dropped the pills. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Ms. Fyke, I would like you to sit down, please. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: I will. I will, Your Honor. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE DEPUTY: Ma'am, could you please have a seat. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Ms. Fyke. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: I need to take a pill. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: You can sit down. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: They're all falling out. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE DEPUTY: Please sit down. Sit down and clean it up, please. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: Your Honor, I need to go. I need to--I'm--I apologize. I'm not feeling well. I'm in distress right now. I‟m supposed to call 911. Could I please--I‟m not feeling well. My doctor gave you her phone number if you wanted to confirm with her. I don‟t understand why I had to be drugged [<i>sic</i>] through this. I had a lot-- </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: This is a hearing on the Respondent's motion to continue the trial. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: And I should have—</span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Is that matter submitted? </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">MS. YATES-CARTER: Yes, Your Honor. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: And I should have an opportunity to, um, to address it and deal with--and I gotta go, Your Honor. I'm sorry. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Do you-- </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: Can I please be excused? </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Do you want to submit this matter for decision? </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: No. [¶] I've got other information I wanted to share with you about the status of the computer.</span></div><div class="Default" style="page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Could we have the parties sworn, please. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE CLERK: Please stand and raise your right hand. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: I‟m not doing this, Your Honor. I'm sorry. I've asked for whatever is there, um, I apologize, um, I can't. You're welcome to call my doctor, but I, um, I'm having severe chest pains. The nitro's not kicking in and, um, I need to go take care of this. I apologize. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Okay. Can I--can I get--Ms. Fyke. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: Could you--do you have emergency-- </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE DEPUTY: Are you telling me you have chest pains right now, strong chest pains? </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: The nitro didn‟t-- </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE DEPUTY: Would you like me to call 911? I don‟t want you to fall over. Sit down. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE COURT: Ms. Fyke, would you cooperate, please cooperate with the Deputy and sit down. Ms. Fyke, cooperate with the Deputy and sit down. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE DEPUTY: Do you want me to call emergency medical assistance, 911? Ms. Fyke, do you need emergency medical assistance? </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: I want to call my doctor. </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">THE DEPUTY: Do you want me to call 911, yes or no? </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[KATHEY]: I'm sorry. I'm not doing this. I'm sorry.‟ </span></div><div class="Default"><br />
</div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“The transcript then reflects that Kathey left the courtroom" </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“On May 7, 2008, Judge Lucas issued an order denying Kathey's motion to continue the trial. In her order, Judge Lucas noted that neither of the physician's notes Kathey provided prior to the hearing date included any information concerning physical or other limitations that would preclude [Kathey]'s participation.”</span></div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-9249186517944281102012-02-21T16:14:00.001-08:002012-02-23T16:27:47.176-08:00Never married and he leaves you high and dry (Jane you ignorant slut)<div style="font-family: inherit;">What happens when two people live together like a married couple, never get married, then he leaves her one day with nothing. Take this situation and add to the mix <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Marvin">an eccentric character actor</a> and a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Triola">promiscuous girlfriend</a> (who went on to live with Dick Van Dyke until her death). The result is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Marvin v. Marvin</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> 557 P.2d 106 (Cal. 1976). </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Triola (who had taken on the last name Marvin--even though they weren't married) argued that the two had made an oral contract whereby Lee Marvin promised to take care of her. </span>At trial evidence showed that Triola was far from monogamous and Lee was The case went up to the California Supreme Court, which held that as long as the basis for the contract wasn't meretricious consideration, California courts will enforce contractual agreements for care, support, and division of property in spite of a lack of marriage. That said, the court hardly gave Triola what she deserved--awarding a judgment of just over 100k when she asked for 3.6 million.<br />
<br />
This type of claim has come to be known as Palimony, which is a bit of a misnomer. The aggrieved party may also pursue quasi-contractual claims such as quantum meruit or a claim of fraud instead or in addition to the contractual claim that was made by Triola.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILTk7Yyaq_67kJPy7V0emzrQnd9RXJ9R3f9kifHB7h0ObBsCDWYxHQ4QWBvBe_n0T7ptMKzXVtwiKyX5OxwneN8Ayi_r8n_Ze53EPMCxZQQ6Qw1YR-Mqwg69IA55DbAioag0T1_l5iB2Z/s1600/Dan+Aykroyd.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILTk7Yyaq_67kJPy7V0emzrQnd9RXJ9R3f9kifHB7h0ObBsCDWYxHQ4QWBvBe_n0T7ptMKzXVtwiKyX5OxwneN8Ayi_r8n_Ze53EPMCxZQQ6Qw1YR-Mqwg69IA55DbAioag0T1_l5iB2Z/s1600/Dan+Aykroyd.gif" /></a>In addition to muddying the family law waters, the case gave us <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/2306/saturday-night-live-point-counterpoint-lee-marvin-and-michelle-triola">this brilliant skit</a> with Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin when SNL was still funny.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(If you are still offended by the heading to this article, you clearly didn't watch the SNL skit above or have absolutely no sense of humor.)Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-40759937526103710642012-02-16T16:19:00.000-08:002012-02-16T16:32:09.483-08:00Litigation costs of powerpoint and video production probably headed to CA Supreme Court (Stupid)Although I try to keep this blog full of more practical advice, this is more of a technical topic (sorry).<br />
<br />
CA Code of Civil Procedure Section 998 generally penalizes a litigant for rejecting a settlement offer that is greater than what a judge or jury awards at trial. Such a litigant gets penalized by paying the other parties costs after the date of the offer they rejected but shouldn't have in hindsight. <a href="http://norrislaw.blogspot.com/2011/09/texas-is-so-conservative-they-adopted.html">I wrote about Texas</a> adopting something exactly like our 998 to fix their litigation problems. We'll see how that works for them. Note: Texas is turning to California for tort reform ideas. <br />
<br />
This is where it gets technical. What happens if you make a 998 offer, then make another 998 offer a month later, then the jury award is less than your second 998 offer? Do you only get costs after the second offer...or do you get all your costs after the first offer? Until last week, courts had always said that the second 998 offer destroys the first and that the litigant is only entitled to costs following the second offer. Well, that was until the <a href="http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/B226665.PDF">Second District Court of Appeals screwed everything up</a>. Their decision is contrary to all the case law out there. The statute itself doesn't give any direction. So this case is prime for CA Supreme Court review.<br />
<br />
In this case, these costs were incurred after the first offer but before the second: <br />
The cost of the power point presentation: $87,282.86 <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(How does a ppt cost 87k?)</span><br />
The cost of editing video tape of a deposition: $11,956<br />
The cost of expert fees: $188,536.86 <br />
<br />
Now you see why it makes a big difference. That must have been one magical powerpoint for eighty-seven grand. For $87k you get buy an <a href="http://atlanta.olx.com/1966-chevrolet-corvette-for-86999-iid-272264974">overpriced 1966 Chevy Corvette</a> or the <a href="http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/17/lee-harvey-oswalds-coffin-sells-for-87-000-at-auction/">Lee Harvey Oswald's casket</a>. Ok, maybe those are bad examples, but $87k is a lot of money.<br />
<br />
The actual lawsuit was about an electrical explosion caused by negligently cutting live electrical wires and leaving them unsecured and exposed.<br />
<br />
Technical, boring, and the Court of Appeals screwed up.Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-19239961729855303462012-02-15T19:44:00.000-08:002012-02-15T19:44:04.353-08:00Recent stories worth reading<a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett/lawmaker-proposes-caylees-law-1349418.html">Caylee's law</a>: Don't report you child missing right away and it may be a crime in Georgia. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jlQnXG53dZpwF1hqszszjpeozKMA?docId=d055a8abd6fd4f7fb27cb2707bf19325">Death Penalty</a>: State Senator writes the death penalty law, now sits on state supreme court and is trying to declare the law he wrote unconstitutional. Yeah, that makes sense. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/2012/02/15/20120215shooting-seventh-scottsdale-police-officer.html">Stay Away From this Cop</a>: Officer James Peters of the Scottsdale Police Department was involved in a fatal shooting in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2006 again, 2010, and now 2012. Oh and the suspect he shot was holding a baby. Awesome.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.click2houston.com/news/HPD-rape-kit-backlog-at-6-600/-/1735978/8778262/-/o5frrb/-/index.html">Don't get sexually assaulted in Houston</a>: Houston PD has a backlog of over 6,600 rape kits dating back into the 1980's. The LAPD had a similar problem of over 6,000 rape kits in its backlog, but it fixed that problem<a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/28/local/la-me-lapd-dna-20110427"> last year</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-bc-us--cussingintheclassroom,0,2466845.story">Proposed Arizona educator profanity law</a>: Because we don't have enough crimes on the books already and it wouldn't be ridiculously stupid to enforce, an Arizona state legislator has proposed to apply the FCC profanity rules to classroom educators. No word on if teachers could still read <i>The Catcher in The Rye</i> aloud in class or not.Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-7540542949544887782012-02-15T13:16:00.000-08:002012-02-15T13:31:27.740-08:00Sometimes the law doesn't make any sense but the result is alright (sex offender registration)Sometimes the law doesn't make any sense. Sex offender registration is one of those areas of the law that is so bizarre most people wouldn't believe it. Any person convicted of any of the crimes listed in California Penal Code Section 290 need to register as a sex offender for life.<br />
<br />
I have my own reservations about the sex offender registration system--in that it techincally isn't a punishment even though it really is, due process protections are scarce, and there is no proven benefit to the whole scheme. It just seems like a big punitive measure taken to make these peoples' lives hell (which I suppose in some cases isn't sooo bad). <br />
<br />
In this case a 37 year old man had sex with a sixteen year old girl. He branded himself her "love coach." The shocker: which of the following acts make the man subject to sex offender registry?<br />
<br />
A) sending text messages saying: "Can you keep as a secret our secret" and "I missing you"<br />
<br />
OR<br />
<br />
B) Having sex with a sixteen year old girl.<br />
<br />
Well, I suppose my heading gives it all away, but statutory rape does not subject an offender to sex offender registry, while <a href="http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/647.6.html">"annoying or molesting a child"</a> does subject this guy to lifetime registry.<br />
<br />
If you feel like reading the opinion,<a href="http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/A131972.PDF"> here it is,</a> complete with defenses such as "by texting a sixteen year old girl that I loved and missed her I didn't mean to take advantage of her" and "Oh, I was just joking."<br />
<br />
Losing faith in humanity in 5,4,3,2.............Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-73581758091674529892012-02-07T10:17:00.000-08:002012-02-07T10:19:46.388-08:00Tax Deductibility of Legal Fees (sometimes)What legal fees are tax deductible?<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Most Likely Deductible:</b></div><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Litigation related to doing or keeping your job. (i.e. wrongful termination, wrongful discrimination, injury to reputation)</li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Cost of collecting taxable spousal support.</li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Portion of legal fees in divorce attributable to tax advice. (Have your attorney itemize this.)</li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Estate planning fees related to income property or general tax planning.</li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Fees for recovering personal injury damages—if damages are taxable.</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Probably NOT Deductible:</b></div><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">Costs related to divorce and child support cases, except portion attributable to collecting taxable spousal support. (Have your attorney itemize this.)</li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">Personal injury lawsuits unless taxable damages are recovered.</li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">Will contests.</li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">Title contests. (However—add the legal costs to the tax basis of the property for when you sell the property later.)</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Bottom Line:</b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">If it relates to collection or production of <u>taxable</u> income, it’s most likely deductible. If it’s a business litigation expense it’s most likely deductible. If it relates to tax advice or tax planning, it’s most likely deductible. Your attorney should be able to itemize your bill upon your request.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Bad News:</b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">These expenses are miscellaneous expenses on IRS schedule A and are only going to help you if they are greater than 2% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). </div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-35589674066718710762012-02-02T11:01:00.000-08:002012-02-02T11:01:16.271-08:00Hybrids, Lawyers, and Opting-Out of Class Actions (too good to be true?)<!--[if !mso]> <style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Most people get postcards in the mail once in a blue moon saying they can opt-out of a lawsuit if they want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people also don’t understand what a class action is, what opting-out really means and what their rights are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Class actions are lawsuits in which so many persons interests are implicated that it is impractical for all those affected to sue separately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the court certifies the class (generally gives their approval), then the class action lawsuit is binding on all those affected even if they don’t participate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, even if you never step into court, the case can affect your rights and prevent you from suing later on your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Under Federal law, class actions seeking damages have to give class members (like you and I) a chance to opt-out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means having an opportunity not to be bound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If one opts-out they will not receive any benefit from the suit and also won’t be bound by it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under California law, class actions seeking damages do not have to, but MAY give class members a chance to opt-out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is within the judge’s discretion whether or not notice and a chance to opt-out should be given.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrcOhtL0zTakwMrL5cmIzpv6m1uyxMAx5zPN9LUq6J9NBsh16haZV7ozRW9-OQGxA9k6CShuSYJGznTZqq4yjQHwD1pZl5yPymFN2S5fM2YHRJ4kaH8lk37dgfp6jMDtjgzdvxyEYaPcR/s1600/2007+Hybrid+civic+mpg+sticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrcOhtL0zTakwMrL5cmIzpv6m1uyxMAx5zPN9LUq6J9NBsh16haZV7ozRW9-OQGxA9k6CShuSYJGznTZqq4yjQHwD1pZl5yPymFN2S5fM2YHRJ4kaH8lk37dgfp6jMDtjgzdvxyEYaPcR/s320/2007+Hybrid+civic+mpg+sticker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Heather Peters bought a Honda Civic Hybrid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sticker on her new 2006 hybrid Civic looked a lot like the one to the left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The sticker if for a 2007).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently someone started a Federal class action lawsuit against Honda, claiming that the real world mileage of the Honda Civic Hybrid is not anywhere near what was advertised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef86571">An Edmunds forum</a> has some reviews by owners claiming they get between 29-35 mpg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heather Peters received one of those postcards telling her about her right to opt-out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then sued Honda in small claims court in Los Angeles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-honda-loses-civic-lawsuit-20120201,0,6604197.story">She won $9,867</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she had stayed in the class action she probably would have gotten some coupons good for the next time she buys a Honda, while the lawyers involved are looking at around $8.5 million if they succeed (oh great!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heather’s class action is getting a lot of press coverage and is going to be pretty problematic if Honda Civic Hybrid buyers all opt-out and sue separately in small claims courts across the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frankly, our courts can’t handle the number of cases they are currently facing and Honda’s litigation staff will be stretched to its limits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time will tell if others follow Heather’s example.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, Heather is probably going to have to deal with an appeal and not everyone has a legal background like Heather, but next time you get one of those postcards in the mail think twice about opting out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime I am going to opt-out of buying a hybrid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-30551468833943418192012-01-26T11:05:00.000-08:002012-01-26T11:05:45.742-08:00One in two lawyers is always wrong (Quotes)"One in two lawyers is always wrong--and they're rich. What they can't be is incompetent. So don't stress if you are wrong."<br />
<br />
<br />
Professor Peter Jan Honisberg, University of San Francisco School of LawCameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-73479734673012674922012-01-24T20:57:00.000-08:002012-01-24T20:57:28.840-08:00One step forward, two steps back (Scalia is retarded)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Most <s>laymen</s> normal people take the law as it comes, while law students and lawyers have stupid thoughts like, “I like the result, but don’t agree with the reasoning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many times during my law school career I agreed with outcomes but not reasoning---or with reasoning and not outcomes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Supreme Court just wrote one of those opinions wherein they found that GPS tracking of vehicles constitutes a search for 4<sup>th</sup> Amendment purposes and requires search warrant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Duh, right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, previous cases had found that GPS tracking devices were not searches because people did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in the location of their cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Police could simply follow the car instead, and so GPS devices did little to alter the privacy concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Law (Its Katz, not Cats)</div><div class="MsoNormal">The 4<sup>th</sup> Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by government actors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, not everything is considered a search.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before 1967, the 4<sup>th</sup> Amendment was construed as protecting places—areas that were deemed private.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 1967 decision, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Katz v. United States</i>, the Supreme Court changed the definition of search for 4<sup>th</sup> Amendment purposes—stating that “The fourth amendment protects people not places.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The concurrence in the decision gave us what is now the test for whether or not government conduct amounts to a search—that is whether or not a <u>person</u> has a “reasonable expectation of privacy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Katz</i> shifted the focus from places to people and to an understanding of privacy interests more than property interests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subsequent cases have fleshed out exactly what that means, but they have been rather consistent in their reasoning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case, Scalia wrote an opinion—properly finding that a GPS device attached to a car amounts to a search—but stated, “"The government physically occupied private property for the purpose of obtaining information, we have no doubt that such a physical intrusion would have been considered a 'search' within the meaning of the 4th Amendment when it was adopted."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, being Scalia, he did acknowledge the existence of the “reasonable expectation of privacy” test, just failed to apply it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Justice Alito in his concurrence noted that Scalia was wrong—in that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Katz </i>had done away with any physical intrusion analysis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The problem is that application of bad law—even if it gets the right result may result in a shift back towards a physical space formulation for 4<sup>th</sup> Amendment analysis in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s hope not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime here is the very long <a href="http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-1259.pdf">read</a> and drive free of warrantless GPS devices.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-89421752057304075462012-01-11T22:59:00.000-08:002012-01-11T22:59:52.028-08:00Guantanamo by the numbers (sad)I have to agree with the government that some prisoners at Gitmo are too dangerous to release even though we lack adequate evidence to prosecute them. However, no matter what one's political persuasion, Gitmo has been an overall failure. America can and should do better than this. If you can stand it, look at the <a href="http://www.aclu.org/national-security/guantanamo-numbers">numbers</a>.Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-7733653363428663922012-01-07T11:48:00.001-08:002012-01-07T11:48:18.476-08:00Be careful what you ask for (Attorney’s fees in contracts)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">Common usage creates some confusion in this area, but lawyer fees are the amount an attorney charges his client, whereas attorney’s fees are costs of litigation potentially shifted between parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no attorney’s fees at common law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually you pay for your lawyer, I pay for mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However—attorney’s fees can be awarded by statute or by contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">A common attorney’s fee provision reads something like this: </div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">“The prevailing party shall have the right to collect from the other party its reasonable costs and necessary disbursements and attorneys' fees incurred in enforcing this Agreement.”</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">Some parties to contracts attempt to create a more one-sided risk regarding attorney’s fees, with clauses such as the following:</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">“The employer shall have the right to collect from the employee its reasonable costs and necessary attorney’s fees in enforcing this agreement.”</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">You thought you were so smart when you wrote that clause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>California has other plans for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any provision calling for an award of fees to only one contracting party is deemed to apply to any contracting party who prevails in litigation under the contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See CA Code Civ. Proc. § 1717.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, anytime one creates a one sided attorney’s fees provision, it is construed bilaterally and is binding on all parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering the uncertainty in litigation its generally best to stay away from attorney’s fee awards altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things have come to a pretty pass, goodness knows what the end will be, so let’s call the whole thing off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Louis Armstrong anyone?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, next time you are writing a really creative contract provision and think you’re really smart—remember the California legislature might just be one step ahead of you, and that provision may have unintended consequences.</div>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643962391747396330.post-68680790017539863372011-12-07T12:47:00.000-08:002011-12-07T12:47:00.364-08:00Strategic divorce: “No you stay in the house for now, I insist”<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">By the time most divorcing couples get to an attorney, most have already decided who gets to stay in the house until the divorce is over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, especially in light of the somewhat strange real estate environment, divorcing couples should think strategically upon exit.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Law</b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">To simplify a little, two landmark cases are used in nearly every divorce case in California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Watts</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">¹</span> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Epstein</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">²</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Watts</i>, the court determined that a spouse who uses community property after the date of separation owes the other spouse a fee for such use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Watts</i> charges are a fee on the use of marital property; whichever spouse retains the most significant property during their divorce will probably be hit with the most Watts charges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Epstein</i> the court held that a spouse who pays community debts after separation is owed a credit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Epstein</i> credits are a reimbursement charged against one spouse to the benefit of the other who paid a community debt. However, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Epstein </i>credits will not apply in certain situations, like if the spouse makes the payments for the debt out a shared bank account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interestingly, there was a strange period between <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Epstein</i> in 1979 and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Watts</i> in 1985 when the law of California granted reimbursement for payment of community debt, but not for use of community property.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Real Estate Environment</b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">The recession has had incredible impacts on the real estate market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Appraised values have dropped considerably, home sales are down, and renting has increased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the results of the revamped rental market is that mortgage payments and rental fees, which should be somewhat similar, are sometimes quite different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traditionally, annual rental cost should equate to around 7% of the appraised value of a property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if you have a $400,000 home, the estimated monthly rent would be around $2,200.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, as a result of the housing downturn rental values have increased and have especially shot up in higher end homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take for example <a href="http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3091-Calle-De-Marejada-Camarillo-CA-93010/79574471_zpid/">this</a> high end home in Camarillo with an estimate mortgage of $6,900/month and an estimated rental value of $11,523/month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although an extreme example, there can be great variance between rental and mortgage payments, especially on higher-value properties.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Strategy</b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">Before moving out of the family home, or making agreements about who will stay, make sure to do some research or call a real estate agent to determine what the approximate rental value of the property is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is a great disparity between the numbers, you may want to live under the same roof to avoid <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Watts</i> charges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The typical (and stereotypical) pattern is that wives want to stay in the family home and kick the husband out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may not be in her best interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if she pays for the mortgage, if the rental value of the property is more than the mortgage, she will still owe the difference between the rental value of the home after separation and the mortgage payments she made post separation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make things even more complicated, separating couples can sign a temporary settlement agreement characterizing either mortgage payments or staying in the home during the divorce proceedings as support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case, no <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Watts</i> charges or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Epstein</i> credits are given since this is support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this seems somewhat complicated, that’s because it is; and it’s best to consult an attorney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides getting an attorney, it turns out the best thing to do may be to pack a suitcase and get a hotel room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be cheaper than the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Watts</i> charges you could accrue.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><u>In re Marriage of Watts</u> (1985) 171 Cal.App.3d 366, 378.</li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><u>In re Marriage of Epstein</u> (1979) 24 Cal.3d 76.</li>
</ol>Cameron Norris, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01780897110374100375noreply@blogger.com1