District 7 FMO Meeting – January 10, 2020
The Heritage, North Fort Myers
Our featured speaker was Atty Jennifer Howell. She is a Board Certified Elder Law Attorney with an office in Punta Gorda. She spoke of Estate Planning and the need for : Last Will & Testament, Power of Attorney and Health Proxy. If Estate has to be probated in the State of Florida, Probate process takes 3% of the value of the estate. That is why it is so important to have a Will.
How things are owned trumps a Will. If property is in 2 names the survivor is the beneficiary. If parent and one child are on the property and there are more than one child. Upon death, survivor listed is the beneficiary. Other children, even if named in the will, are not beneficiaries because of a living named survivor. That is why it is important to be aware when listing children on property and bank accounts. Something else to be aware of is if the named child is sued or has monetary issues. Your property can be taken for those debts because their name is on the property. Be aware!
Review your Will in a new State of Residency. There may be differences from one state to the next that could effect your property.
Power of Attorney is only effective while living. It is in effect as soon as it is signed. If there is no power of attorney, property could be forced into Guardianship.
Health Proxy is to protect Medical decision making
HIPPA is permission to receive medical information
Living Will can be written or oral for Health Care surrogate. Best to be written, can always change it orally.
Revocable Living Trust is a set of instructions to control your assets. Documentation should be updated about every 5 years. If you have specific items to be left to specific people, just make a list. It does not have to be notarized or witnessed.
Atty Howell addressed numerous questions from the floor, many regarding Canadian residents and Out of State residency and relatives.
Christie Kulwicki of the North Fort Myers Fire Department also spoke at the meeting. She discussed and demonstrated Hands Only CPR and the use of an AED. The AED talks you through the entire procedure. If someone is in distress, call 911 then check the Carotid for a pulse , then pump on the chest, do not worry about breaths. Place victim on the ground, compression only NO MOUTH TO MOUTH!! Don’t stop compression until AED is placed on the victim.
This was a very informative overview of the use of and AED.
FMO President Jerry Durham talked briefly reminding us of the negative effect that SB818 and SB 998 would have on our communities and our lifestyle. He urged us to contact our legislators to let them know the effect the passage of these bills would have on thousands of Manufactured Home Community Residents across the state.
Contact any or all of these senators. Go to FLSenate.gov to access their info: Senators Ed Hooper,( sponsor SB818), Travis Hutson (Sponsor SB998), Wilton Simpson ( Chair of I & T Committee ), Liz Benaquisto.(local Senator), Kathleen Passidomo ( Local senator Majority Leader ), Ben Albritton ( Dist 26 our Senator)Bill Galvano (Senate President)
It impacts your home and lifestyle!
Next District 7 meeting is at Legacy Moss Landing , 800 Aqua Isles Blvd. LaBelle, February 14, 2020 at 1pm.
There will be a light lunch served. Guest speaker is FMO President Jerry Durham. We hope to have some updates on these bills at that time.