Law Office of Brandon Martin, APC

06/04/2026

The Big Beautiful Bill featured some surprises that weren't advertised or likely even known to most of the members of Congress who approved the legislation. I'm still digging into the potential consequences for estate planning. But, this does not seem to be limited to "top earners."

A new guide by Congress' tax policy staff indicates that trust income can be taxed twice.

09/11/2024

Can you help? I have a client who is looking for a copy of one or both of the following documents associated with the Stockdale Oil Field called the "East Wible Joint Operators Agreement between Chevron USA, Inc. and Mark A. Nahabedian" and the unrecorded entitled "Assignment and Agreement Modifying the East Wible Road Operating Agreement between Chevron USA, Inc. and Channel USA Company, a corporation dated May 15, 1985."

We will be eternally grateful for any information or assistance. Thank you in advance!

09/05/2024

Here's a public service announcement. If you are thinking of doing "poor man's estate planning" by deeding away property to family members, call me first. My number is 661-489-0000.

I hear horror stories about how this goes wrong every single day. But, there are new, much more effective and merciful ways to keep costs down and still engage in actual estate planning.

03/21/2024

Would anyone be interested in my analysis of impacts and/or winners and losers from the Realtors settlement?

02/16/2024

Regardless of whether they think the underlying prosecution of Trump has merit or not, prosecutors everywhere should be embarrassed by Fani Willis. I think we are still at a point where staying quiet still makes sense, but at some point, leaders at the federal, state, and local levels might want to point out that she's not representative.

It's not even the relationship talk that's most cringeworthy. I thought her confession that she just cashed out her early campaign committee account and intermingled the cash with other spending money was particularly shocking. She offered that up on her own non-responsive, non-compelled narrative.

It's painful to watch!

02/14/2024

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Portrait of a Warrior Gallery is set to host an unveiling ceremony for Jaclyn “Jackie” Kvasnicka’s tribute portrait this weekend. Kvasnicka …

02/05/2024

There's a fascinating fight right now between two esteemed federal judges. The Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit, Kimberly Moore, has filed an ethics complaint against Reagan appointee Judge Pauline Newman seeking to remove her from the bench. But, the real reason isn't ethical as much as alleged decline given that Newman is 96-years-old.

The fight is fascinating because our societal reluctance to talk about realities involving aging has left us with "lifetime appointments," but no real process or system for addressing the potential for age-related mental decline on the federal bench.

I'll note that while I've been loud and obnoxious about my concerns involving elderly presidential candidates and federal judges, Judge Newman is an interesting and admirable person who gives great interview!

Evaluate the 96-year-old jurist's mental acuity for yourself by listening to this podcast.

01/21/2024

Excellent work, Ms. Ybarra.

She was pressured into convicting a man she believed was innocent—and was haunted by remorse. Three decades later, she did something about it.

12/04/2023

10/20/2023

I want to congratulate my friend Nick Lackie for a successful murder prosecution.

But, I also want to add some context for why you should join me in commending Nick. You see, Nick pursued justice for KaraMarie and our community to his own detriment as a judicial candidate. Normally, candidates clear their schedules, take leaves of absences, and do whatever it takes to maximize their time fundraising, seeking endorsements, and driving all over our large county to meet real people whenever possible. But, Nick put his time into doing what it takes to get little KaraMarie and all of us the justice she deserves.

Congratulations, Nick Lackie for Judge on the verdict. The rest of us will do our part to make up time and tell our friends you are the best man for the job!

A jury has found Jeffrey Sullins and Ashley Saffell guilty of the death of their one-year-old daughter, KaraMarie.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Nick Lackie.

Sullins (father) was found guilty of:
• Second degree murder
• Assault on a child causing death
• Willful cruelty to a child under circumstances likely to produce great bodily injury or death

Saffell (mother) was found guilty of:
• Involuntary manslaughter
• Willful cruelty to a child under circumstances likely to produce great bodily injury or death

On January 29, 2022, Saffell found KaraMarie unresponsive and cold in her crib. She called 911 and first responders immediately pronounced the girl deceased. Saffell told Sheriff’s deputies that there was a flatscreen television on the victim’s body when she found her. There were severe bruises covering her entire body, from her head to the bottom of her feet. During the autopsy it was found that she had multiple severe brain injuries, which caused her death, as well as lethal neck compression. The forensic pathologist opined that the injuries occurred over a period of time extending at least two to three days, and possibly longer, as well as that the television could not have caused the injuries.

Sullins had been KaraMarie’s primary caretaker for several weeks, during which time she sustained several injuries, including having a tooth knocked out. Although another adult noticed the tooth and urged Sullins and Saffell to seek medical attention, they never did so. The victim also lost a significant portion of her body weight during this time. Saffell testified at trial that she did not notice the weight loss because she did not hold the girl for a month prior to her death. Sullins was home alone with the victim the entire day on January 28, 2022, while Saffell was at work. When she arrived home, Sullins told her the victim was asleep.

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer commented; “An innocent child fell victim to two heartless monsters who were supposed to be her protectors. Children are among the most vulnerable victims in our county and although her life was tragically cut short, justice will prevail as her killers face the full consequences of their despicable crimes.”

Sentencing is scheduled for November 8, 2023. Sullins faces a sentence of 25 years to life, and Ashley Saffell faces a sentence of up to 7 years in prison.