February 28, 2017 Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. separated from his wife, Sara Kapfer, on March 13, 2014 due to irreconcilable differences. On January 19, 2017, he finally responded, filing for divorce . The couple has been married for 22 years. Gooding, 49, is seeking physical and legal custody of the pair’s daughter, age 10. However, when the couple first separated, Kapfer asked for joint physical and legal custody . She also sought alimony. According to his divorce filing, Gooding is willing to pay spousal support as requested, but does not want that support to extend to any time after the initial separation. Gooding starred in the “People Vs. OJ Simpson,” which earned him a significant amount of money; he did not want her to lay claim to those funds. The couple met in high school, and Gooding often spoke kindly of their relationship. After dating for seven years, they wed in March 1994. The pair has three children, Piper, Mason and Spencer. The two other children are no longer minors, so custody is not an issue. The actor spoke highly of his wife on “The View” and shared fond recollections of how they fell in love in high school. He also suggested they might be reconciling when he appeared on “The Steve Harvey Show” in March 2016. Gooding has starred in dozens of movies and television shows, including the 1996 movie, “Jerry McGuire,” featuring Tom Cruise. In it, he quoted his now famous line, “Show me the money!” His first credited acting gig in a movie, according to IMBD, was in “Coming to America,” starring Eddie Murphy. He played a boy getting a haircut. He subsequently had roles in various television shows. The actor’s additional well-known films movies include “Snow Dogs,” “Radio,” “Red Tails,” “Men of Honor” and Lee Daniels’ “The Butler.” He has demonstrated extensive versatility in his roles, playing in dramas, comedies, thrillers and more and calling on a wide range of acting skills to make his characters come to life. Even if you are not a Hollywood actor, you need legal counsel when your marriage ends . If you are looking for seasoned representation, talk to our officer today.
February 20, 2017 The star of “Dance Moms,” Abby Lee Miller, has much more trouble on her hands than dealing with the ultra-competitive moms and talented dance students on her hit reality television show. In June of 2016 in federal court, Miller pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud. Her sentencing hearing began on January 20 and will continue on February 24, after which U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti will make her decision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Melucci is pushing for a 2 to 2 ½ years prison sentence rather than merely probation. Although the defense argued that no creditors suffered financial loss when the bankruptcy fraud was exposed, under the law, the amount of money involved merits a prison sentence. Melucci contended that the only reason Miller hid her earnings was so that she did not have to repay the full amount of what she owed. After defaulting on two mortgages, one a $245,000 condominium in Florida and another a $96,000 dance studio outside of Pittsburgh, Miller filed for bankruptcy. She included various additional debts totaling almost $60,000, among which were her unpaid property taxes. Miller requested the Chapter 11 bankruptcy court to allow her to pay back only a portion of her condominium loan, $150,000, at a lesser interest rate. She even proposed to give back the property and pay nothing. Miller agreed to fully repay her other debts, but wanted zero or lower interest rates. After discovering the fraud, Miller received an order from a very angry bankruptcy judge to pay back everything she owed. According to Chapter 11 bankruptcy laws, Miller should have fully and honestly disclosed all income and assets, but she concealed her real earnings throughout the proceedings and never revealed information about television contracts for future income. Her deceitfulness was exposed when the bankruptcy judge happened to be flipping through the channels and discovered Miller’s reality TV show. After further investigation, Bankruptcy Trustee Larry Wahlquist testified about her true income and non-approved bank accounts. Miller’s attorneys will not comment until the February 24th hearing, at which time they will call their witnesses. If you are considering filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, you will need to follow federal laws and regulations or risk prosecution for defrauding the court. Our legal team can help you navigate through filing a bankruptcy .
February 10, 2017 On the heels of escalating tension with prominent civil rights leaders and just before his inauguration as President, Donald J. Trump met with the oldest son of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The meeting accented the public feud President-elect Trump is having with Representative John Lewis of Georgia. The meeting was an effort to calm the fractured distrust of many minorities for the President-elect. He has contended President Obama’s country of birth, received support from white supremacists, argued for stronger immigration laws that could divide families and backed other policies that counter minority interests. He posed for photos with Martin Luther King III but did not respond to questions from reporters regarding related matters. The closed-door meeting lasted nearly an hour, and he then provided opportunities for photos. Mr. King felt that the session was beneficial for civil rights and emphasized the President-elect’s desire to work together for all Americans. Mr. King plans to hold him accountable to those promises. He also down played the feud between Mr. Lewis and the President-elect, stating that both parties made statements in the heat of the moment. Mr. Lewis threatened to boycott the election and challenged the validity of election results due to alleged Russian hacking. Mr. King suggested that the government offer a free photo identification card so that Americans could vote even if they do not have a driver’s license. The President-elect seemed open to the idea. However, some leaders felt that these steps were not enough to calm their fears. Rev. Sharpton explained that he thought the President-elect was only concerned about public appearances and that he did not care about the real issues. About 8 percent of African-American voters cast ballots for President-elect Trump. An estimated 75 percent of blacks think that race relations will deteriorate while he is President. Sean Spicer, the cabinet’s press secretary, indicated that the President-elect would not ignore the attacks from Mr. Lewis. However, he seemed to scale back his comments against the Representative within hours. The nation is focused on civil rights issues due to tense race relations amid the current political atmosphere. If you feel that your rights have been violated, talk to our civil rights lawyers to find out what steps you should take.
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January 28, 2018 According to an October 27, 2017, announcement, the Los Angeles jeans company, True Religion, exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy with about $357 million less debt, debt maturities extended, cash to implement a growth plan and a positive outlook for the future. The company emerges with a reduced retail footprint and an exit loan of $60 million from Citizens Bank, the same bank that provided the initial cash during the reorganization process. At the peak of the company, True Religion jeans were selling anywhere from $150 to $250 a pair at their nearly 140 stores and online. The brand also sold at upscale department stores, such as Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom and at other locations in the U.S., Mexico and South America. Around 2013, True Religion, like many other apparel stores, struggled for success, watching sales decline as it competed with the internet, online shopping and competing discount retailers. The rapid growth in the trend of athletic wear for leisure caused the sales of blue jeans to quickly decline. Behind $192,000 on rent for its California office headquarters and drowning in major debts owed to creditors, manufacturers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and malls around the country, True Religion filed for bankruptcy on July 5, 2017, in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. At the time of filing, the company had 128 stores in the United States and 11 stores outside the country. The company made some major changes, hiring John Ermatinger as CEO and president and bringing on a new chief marketing officer and a new vice president of sourcing. They also reduced costs, streamlined processes and closed unprofitable stores. John Ermatinger publicly thanked the company’s supporters — consumers, employees, vendors and suppliers — for their ongoing commitment and devotion to True Religion. He expressed his excitement regarding the future of the company, which includes implementing new growth strategies through innovative partnerships, expanding True Religion’s digital presence and refining its marketing operations. You do not have to be a major corporation to file bankruptcy , Like in the case of True Religion, bankruptcy allows individuals to emerge in a better financial position than before. Our legal team can help you navigate through these difficult times.
January 16, 2018 A Fresno State professor who intimidated a pro-life group was ordered to pay $17,000 and attend training on the First Amendment. He was recorded on video in an attempt to harass pro-life students who were drawing with chalk on the sidewalk. He also asked students from his public health class to assist him in his efforts. He claimed they were outside of the campus free speech area, but no such area has existed on campus since 2015. The sidewalk messages suggested pro-life options for students. The president of the club stated that the First Amendment gives students the right to speak on campus. She documented an incident between herself and the professor on video. He can be heard telling her that she is not in a free-speech area. However, she claimed that she had school permission to be there and to be speaking. The professor began erasing the sidewalk messages with his shoe. He told her that she did not understand the areas where free speech was permitted on campus. Alliance Defending Freedom acted as legal representation for the group, the Fresno State Students for Life. The professor must pay $1,000 to the president and $1,000 to another student as well as legal fees. However, he said that the money was paid by his insurance company, so he is not concerned about the legal fees. He does not admit to any wrong actions but is willing to attend the training so that he can learn the opinions and thoughts of others. The president expressed her relief that he will not be able to harass them again and explained that the case was not about winning money. She was extremely surprised at his actions, especially on a public campus. She further opined that professors should encourage and not prohibit free speech. Legal counsel for the pro-life group stated that the professor’s behavior flagrantly violated the First Amendment He added that school officials do not have the right to restrict freedom of speech on campus. The school did not comment about the case. If you believe that your First Amendment rights have been violated, you will need experienced legal representation to defend you. Contact us so that we can discuss your case.
January 5, 2018 The complexities of any divorce include dividing money, property and assets between both parties. While this might not be as complex for a millennial as it is for a couple who has spent their lifetime acquiring possessions, both types of divorce require finding a qualified family lawyer to deal with the personal issues. Legal experts report that stereotypes claim that other generations are more loyal than millennials who don’t really value traditions. She continues that even though they wait to marry, they still place a high priority on the institution. However, she added that they will not tough out a relationship the way their parents did. This by no means makes a divorce any easier for millennials. They feel just as hurt and disappointed as any others who divorce , but their outlook for the future tends to be more optimistic. Although marriage rates in the U.S. continue to decline, divorce rates are also dropping. Millennials delay marriage until later in life, placing an emphasis on education and careers before taking this significant life step. Millennials tend to be more open to diverse relationships, including living together. In the past, prenuptial agreements held a negative connotation as if one of the parties expected the marriage to end. The more-practical millennials, who prioritize acquiring and preserving wealth, see the prenup as a planning tool and communication map to manage financial expectations and interests. Creating a prenup with a lawyer realistically deals with the uncertainty of the future and helps a couple draft specific plans. Millennials choosing to live together instead of marrying can benefit from an attorney’s expertise when drawing up a cohabitation agreement, protecting both parties and their assets in case the relationship ends. When couples know the laws regarding cohabitation , marriage and divorce in their state, they tend to be ready for even unexpected contingencies. Whether a couple plans to cohabitate, marry or file for divorce, planning for a big relationship step helps the individuals prepare for the future, no matter what happens in the marriage. Consulting with a knowledgeable, experienced family lawyer sets up both parties for success.
December 23, 2017 The 32-year-old mother entered the high rise in downtown Memphis as a memory tugged at the far corners of her mind. Suddenly, it came to her. She had been in this very building with her own mother for the same purpose — to file bankruptcy . She anguished over the decision but a court order had recently enforced a judgement against her that allowed a company to seize a portion of her check. With her struggle to make ends meet, the judgment would put an unbearable strain on her already overburdened finances — the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. Despite the stigma, she decided that bankruptcy would stop the vicious cycle of juggling bills each month so that she could now start fresh. She even dreamed of becoming a homeowner one day. While the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee in Memphis funnels millions of dollars to the court, the lawyers and the creditors, the debtors for whom the entire system exists don’t fare so well. The clients are stuck in a vicious cycle. Most people choose to file Chapter 7, which allows the person to start over from square one without seizing any debts. In contrast, Chapter 13 requires monthly payments while stopping car repossessions and home foreclosures. This method is most common in the South and was what this mother chose. She didn’t understand the difference between the two. However, filers who opt for Chapter 13 must continue making payments for five full years. Most cannot even last 12 months under the program. These individuals went through each and every step of the bankruptcy — paying filing and legal fees and dealing with a seven-year blemish on their credit record — but do not ultimately benefit from the program. Once they have defaulted, they revert back to all unpaid debts with interest rates higher than ever. When comparing Caucasian filings with African-American filings, the latter usually file under Chapter 13 but cannot complete the program. Some return for repeat filings, with a few filing Chapter 13 up to 20 times during their lifetimes. They view bankruptcy as a last resort. If you are considering bankruptcy, talk to our knowledge attorneys about which options — Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 — is best for you.
