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Community Assisting Recovery, Inc.

“Survivors Helping Survivors” • 888-216-8264 • carehelp.org

This Week’s Meeting Schedule:

Insurance/Recovery Tip:

Income Tax Reminder

I had lots of calls this week about income tax issues because the extension deadline is coming up, so I thought I'd send a link to the income tax handouts we have on our website.

Anna Maria Galdieri did about 5 or 6 workshops for us earlier this year. She is the most knowledgeable person we know and can back up her claims with quotes from the tax law and tax court cases (some of which she was instrumental in getting implemented). In the "Disaster Tax Issue" handout, she differentiates between a federally declared disaster and a state disaster (or an individual disaster) by using the Angora fire (South Lake Tahoe '07) as an example. If it was a second home or a rental there are different laws in play as well.
 
Here are the handouts from the workshops she did. Her contact information is on both sheets, but if you can't open them her information is:
 
Anna Maria Galdieri, CPA
6517 Dana St., Oakland, CA 94609-1107
Phone 510-601-6691
Fax 510-601-1342
amgaldieri@pacbell.net
 
http://www.carehelp.org/downloads/handouts/2007DisasterTaxIssues.pdf
http://www.carehelp.org/downloads/handouts/2007DisasterTaxWorksheet.pdf

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Sempra/SCE Update:

Attorney Contingency Fee Agreement Red Flags

READ and CAREFULLY REVIEW ANY ATTORNEY FEE AGREEMENT

Red Flag:  Fees based on GROSS not NET settlement amount. This means you will be paying attorney fees before costs (expert witness, reports, copying, and much more) are deducted from your settlement.

               Fees based on GROSS will always cost you more than fees on NET.

Red Flag:  Your attorney asks you for “up-front” money in exchange for a reduction in fees.  This may mean the attorney is underfunded and does not have the economic resources to take on better financed opposing attorneys or law firms.

Red Flag:  Your attorney wants payment based on an hourly rate.  In a case that may require litigation, this usually means the attorney may not be confident in a favorable outcome and wants to make sure to get paid if the attorney loses.

Tip:  Attorney fees are negotiable

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Disaster Recovery News:                   

There's financial help for anyone thinking of 'going green'

October 9, 2008

Post your Comments Increase Font Decrease Font email this story print this story So, OK, you're thinking of installing a solar water heater, generating enough heat from the sun to offset 75 percent of the natural gas, electricity or propane you use to heat your water?

Well, the Solar Water Heating Pilot Program can help you.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/10/09/news/columnists/rb/z53903e69df2d0df0882574dc0058cd71.txt

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Insurance Industry News:                  

Execs Foresee More Focus On Regulation
10/12/2008

The insurance industry faces uncharted waters dealing with potential ramifications of the current economic crisis, but one undeniable consequence will be louder outcries for increased regulation, executives said at a conference here.

http://www.propertyandcasualtyinsurancenews.com/cms/nupc/Weekly%20Issues/issues/2008/38/News/P38CIAB

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Disaster Prepared:

Disaster Preparedness for Pets

The key to survival during a disaster, crisis or emergency is to be as prepared as possible before the storm hits. Take the time to make a plan and assemble an emergency kit for you and your pet. By taking these steps now, you will greatly increase your pet’s chances of survival.

http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/resources/disaster_preparedness_for_pets.html

http://www.avma.org/disaster/

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Disaster News:

From the LAFD BLOG: 75 Years Ago: L.A. Wildfire Kills 29 Firefighters

From: LAFD News & Information: 75 Years Ago: L.A. Wildfire Kills 29 Firefighters

"At first, it looked like a small brush fire. And there seemed to be almost unlimited manpower available to put it out. Both workers and foremen figured it would be batted out quickly."

...and so it was on the afternoon of October 3, 1933, when a fire erupted in the Mineral Wells Canyon area of Griffith Park.
Before it was controlled that night, it would prove to be the deadliest wildfire to firefighters in American history - killing 29 fire control workers and injuring more than 150 others.
It is a chapter of local history forgotten by most, but ready for you to experience via the on-line LAFD Historical Archive at:

Read it here - www.lafire.com

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Quote of the Week:                   

By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.
              - Christopher Columbus

[I love this quote, not only because of its appropriate Columbus day timing, but his complete conviction that he had arrived at his goal. It just proves that no matter how hard you plan and “unfailingly” execute your plan... mother nature might have different plans for you.]

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Help CARe provide assistance to disaster survivors and continue our free services:

http://www.carehelp.org/contribute/contribute.htm

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Community Assisting Recovery, Inc.

19360 Rinaldi Street, PMB 220, Northridge CA 91326
www.carehelp.org
888-216-8264