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Safe Driving Tips by a Personal Injury Lawyer who's Seen it All
"By far, the hardest part of my job is working with the families left behind after an accident - and it's a million times worse when that accident could have been prevented," says celebrated lawyer Gerald Marcus, owner of the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, Inc.
Now, with so many people heading out on summer road trips, it's more important than ever to be extra prepared and cautious. "These tips may sound like common sense - and they are - but you'd be shocked by how many people are injured or even die each year because common sense was ignored," says Marcus. "If people didn't get behind the wheel buzzed, drunk, distracted, medicated or tired - and waited to answer texts and calls until they arrived at their destination - literally hundreds of thousands of accidents could be prevented annually."
The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus 296-2992


Valencia Acura Awarded Coveted Precision Team Award
Valencia Acura received Acura's prestigious 2021 Precision Team Award, which marks the Friendship Dealership's 16th year receiving the distinction. "As challenging as the past two years have been for the auto industry, the Valencia Acura team pulled together to maintain the high standards our customers expect from us," said Don Fleming, Valencia Acura owner. "As we celebrate our 25th year, we continue going above-and-beyond providing outstanding customer service, in part, to honor Cheri Fleming's driving force legacy."
The Precision Team recognition is an exclusive honor for select dealerships that deliver an outstanding client experience while achieving operational excellence. Acura dealerships recognized for the Acura Precision Team honor deliver exceptional results across their business operations as measured against performance criteria in the areas of client treatment, sales performance, service performance, facility and finance.
"I'm extremely proud to honor Valencia Acura as a member of our Acura Precision Team," said Emile Korkor, assistant vice president of Acura National Sales. "This award recognizes Valencia Acura for consistently delivering a premium customer experience that our Acura clients expect of a performance luxury brand."
To celebrate the recognition, Acura Vice President and Brand Officer Jon Ikeda traveled to Santa Clarita recently to congratulate owner Don Fleming and the Valencia Acura team for their exceptional service and commitment to the Acura brand.
Valencia Acura 255-3000

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Should I Leave a Dollar to Disinherit Someone?
Of all the estate planning myths, one of more pervasive is the idea that you need to give someone a dollar to disinherit them. The misconception is that you are required to include a child or other family member in your estate plan so you need to leave them a dollar. This is not only wrong, but potentially dangerous.
Leaving someone you want to disinherit a dollar makes them a beneficiary of your trust or estate. This means they gain certain rights, such as the right to review any documents, receive an accounting and be notified of various activities. A disgruntled beneficiary can use these rights to cause problems for your trustee or executor. In my experience, leaving a dollar can make settling an estate longer and more difficult.
In California, there is no default requirement that you make anyone an heir, not even a spouse or child. You do not even need to state a reason for your decision. Instead of leaving a dollar, it is better to clearly mention the person by name, their relationship to you and your intention to disinherit them. You should also be clear whether you wish to disinherit that person's children and descendants as well. This way they cannot claim to be accidentally omitted or that you did not intend to disinherit them.
Law Attorney Michael Yeager 471-2177

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Skip the Online Guessing
Local Store Specialized in Industrial Safety Toe Boots & Shoes
RJs Work Boots has a large in-stock selection of safety toe, non-safety toe, waterproof and slip-resistant footwear for both men and women. With over 400 different styles in stock, ranging from sizes 3 to 16, you'll find what you're looking for - and be able to try it on for a perfect fit, too. RJs Work Boots offers union and first-responder discounts and are wildland fire boot specialists. The Santa Clarita company carries well-respected brands like Whites, Nicks, Danner, and Haix in stock. RJs Work Boots is located in Newhall.
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Yes, You Need a Licensed Home Inspector for a Rental Property
Do you really need an SCV licensed home inspector for a rental property? Yes! Here's why.
Licensed home inspections are standard practice when buying and selling a house, but when it comes to rental properties, they're surprisingly less common.
At SCREM, however, they believe a rental home inspection is just as important - if not more so - because you're trusting that another person will return your property back to you in good shape. That's why it's crucial to establish the excellent condition of your property before you rent it out.
"That's why we have a licensed home inspector on our staff to handle all the move-ins and move-outs," explained Steffanie Stelnick, CEO and president of SCREM. "It allows us to provide the highest level of protection for your rental property and your investment."
Conducted by a licensed professional, this home inspection examines the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation, according to the American Society of Home Inspectors.
After the inspection is completed, the home inspector will deliver a comprehensive report that includes their findings, photographs, analysis and recommendations.
For rental property owners, a home inspection provides evidence that the home is being handed over to the tenant in excellent condition. It gives the owner a documented, detailed baseline of the health of the property.
"We understand the stresses and issues that come with taking on a new tenant," Steffanie explained. "That's why we use only the most qualified professionals to care for your property, especially in the transition between tenants. We want to make sure your home, which is your biggest asset, is being excellently maintained while it's under our management," Steffanie said.
When commissioned independently, a licensed home inspection can cost from $350 to $700, depending on the size of the property and other factors."That's no charge to you here," explains the SCREM CEO. "We take care of it, and you have nothing to lose,"
Don't have a rental property yet? Purchasing Santa Clarita Valley property is a great way to expand a smart investment portfolio. SCREM has been able to provide their clients with a number of excellent investment opportunities. If you'd like information about potential properties before they hit the market, contact them to see how their team of professionals can help. They have a network of top-of-the-line properties and expert professionals that extends throughout the state of California, in addition to 30+ years of property management experience in the Santa Clarita Valley.
SCREM Real Estate Management screm.com

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July is National Child Centered Divorce Month
If you have kids and you're considering divorce, have already begun the process or are on "the other side," you know that even the most well-intended parents can make missteps along the way. Parenting is hard on the best of days. Add in heartbreak, anger and/or fear and you can have a concerning combination.
Regardless of how you feel about your co-parent, or how trying the separation experience is, your children need you to be emotionally present and available to provide extra nurturing and support. They need frequent reminders that the divorce is not their fault; that both parents love them unconditionally; and that their parents will work together to make sure that all their needs are met.
Living in a toxic environment isn't good for children - they deserve to grow up in a home that's free from frequent fighting and tension. Divorce can be the best thing for them, too. In the best of worlds, you two can put your differences aside so that you can co-parent compassionately, always with your children's best interests in mind.
But if your divorce is high conflict and/or involves abuse, all of this might seem "easier said than done." In that case, having a custody arrangement filed with the court immediately, as well as restrictions on communication between parents (Yes, the court can tell your ex not to send you nasty texts and require them to communicate with you exclusively through a co-parenting tool like Our Family Wizard.) can be essential to your ability to get you and your kids happy and settled into your new, healthier life.
Denise Lite, Esq. 877-317-8080