Free Foreclosure Counseling Clinics on May 2

In observance of Law Day 2009, LACBA Barristers--in partnership with Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles, and Public Counsel--will provide free counseling to members of the public who are experiencing mortgage problems to determine whether loan modifications are possible, whether fraud was involved in the loan, and other steps to take in resolving mortgage issues. Volunteer attorneys will be present at three locations on Saturday, May 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Come learn:

• if loan modification may be possible for you
• whether fraud was involved in your loan
• what next steps to take
• what other documents you need to solve your mortgage issues
• watch out for foreclosure scams

Saturday, May 2nd - 10am to 1pm @ 3 locations

1. In the South Central Area (12021 S. Wilmington Ave., Los Angeles 90059)
   
2. In the Downtown LA Area (1145 Wilshire Blvd., 2nd Floor, Los Angeles 90017)
   
3. In the San Fernando Valley Area (13327 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima 91331)

I WILL PERSONALLY BE ATTENDING THE COUNSELING CLINICS AS A VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY. COME SAY HELLO!

If you prefer a more private one-on-one consultation, call us at 818-649-8501 for a free and confidential consultation.

The American Bar Association has recently published a book entitled Estate Planning Forms authored by L. Rush Hunt.

Here is a description of this book:

An estate plan can have several elements--a will; an assignment of power of attorney; a living will or healthcare proxy; and in some cases, a trust. As an estate planner, you must be mindful of both federal and state laws governing estates when assembling plans for clients. Estate Planning Forms, by L. Rush Hunt, covers all elements of estate planning in detail with easy-to-follow, time-saving forms.

This book empowers attorneys to establish trusts to reduce estate and gift taxes and to distribute assets to the heirs without the costs, delays, and publicity of probate court. The primary purpose of Estate Planning Forms is to ensure that the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries. With the guidance in this book, you will be able to offer greater protection of your client's assets from creditors and lawsuits.

Includes the following forms:

• Letters of engagement
• Privacy notices
• Powers of attorney
• Wills
• Pre and Post-marital agreements
• Trusts

For your estate planning needs, contact the Law Offices of Artin Yadegarian at www.yadegarianlaw.com or call 818-649-8501.

10 Estate Planning Moves To Make Now

Here is a Forbes.com quick comprehensive graphic article on 10 estate planning moves everyone should be making now. Forbes even includes a calculator that will tell you where your assets will go if you die without a will. Click HERE for the full graphic article.

For a preview of the Article by Forbes.com, here is one of the ten estate planning moves suggested by Forbes.com for everyone to make.

Give annual gifts to kids and grandkids --- "If you feel financially secure enough, one simple way to pass assets to your family free of state or federal estate tax is by making annual gifts. For 2009, you can give anyone you want (and as many people as you like) up to $13,000 in cash, stock or property without worrying about federal or state gift or estate taxes. Noncash gifts--say a cruise you treat the kids and grandkids to--count against the $13,000. You can also pay your grandkids' tuition or medical bills, without worrying about gift tax, so long as you send the check directly to the school or health care provider"

Making Home Affordable program

A new Obama administration program is designed to fix the problem for millions of homeowners. Borrowers whose loans are owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac could be able to get quick refinances for up to 105% of a home's value.

According to an article by the LA TIMES, here is how the program works: In the past, the federal Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage programs would only handle loans of up to 80% of your home's value, unless you bought mortgage insurance. With the new Making Home Affordable program, through June 2010, borrowers whose loans are owned or guaranteed by Fannie or Freddie may be able to get quick refinances for up to 105% of a home's value. They must be current on their mortgage payments, but administration officials estimate that as many as 5 million homeowners qualify. And refis are available for borrowers with credit scores as low as 620.

For detailed information about how the Making Home Affordable program works, visit http://makinghomeaffordable.gov, a federal website that explains the refi program.

For the complete article by the LA Times about the Making Home Affordable program, visit latimes.com.

For a free legal consultation regarding loan modification, visit the Law Offices of Artin Yadegarian.