Page 10 - Hobe Sound Reflections - July '19

Page 10, Hobe Sound

eState plaNNiNg

New Law Provides Some Help required permits or made pursuant to permits which have the rules of the building code when the permit was issued.
not been properly closed and then deliver to buyer all plans
This change is a big help to property owners as they won’t
For Open Building Permits and documentation relating to the work and improvements have to upgrade the work to conform with present day code
subject to the unpermitted, expired or open permits. requirements.
By Tony Lavargna, Esq. Many realtors add a provision in the contracts that the Title insurance does not cover permitting issues so open or
On July 1 a new law took seller has the additional obligation to close out open or expired permits that are discovered by the buyer after closing
effect in Florida which will expired building permits. In some contracts, the seller’s can cost the buyer thousands of dollars to resolve. The new
substantially help sellers cost to close out these permits is subject to a monetary cap, law helps these buyers as now the local governments cannot
and buyers of real property known as the “Permit Limit.” penalize a purchaser of property solely because a previous
close out open or expired Often permits expire because required inspections had not owner failed to close out a building permit. The purchaser
building permits. This law been performed even though the work was completed. Some would still have to correct the work but will not be subject
is the result of the Florida sellers have dealt with 20-year-old expired permits which to fines and penalties.
legislature recognizing that they didn’t even know about. Local building departments Even though the new law helps the process of closing
homeowners and buyers may close a building permit six years after the permit was out open or expired permits, both the seller and buyer need
were experiencing significant issued if the department determines there are no apparent to perform their own due diligence to know the status of
problems resolving expired safety hazards. permits on a property they are buying or selling.
permits. Buyers should make sure they know the status of permits This column is an overview of the subject matter and is
Even with the new law, buyers and sellers need to be for the property, either checking personally or having their not intended as legal advice. Anthony Lavargna is an attorney
keenly aware of the status of building permits on a home inspector check for them. Buyers who close on a home with practicing law in Stuart. He is a graduate of Florida State
to be bought or sold. Under the commonly used residential open or expired permits inherit the cost and burden of closing University College of Law, the University of Central Florida
contracts for sale and purchase, the seller has the obligation out the permit as required by law. The new law streamlines and Martin County High School.
to disclose improvements made to the property without this process by allowing the work to be approved under
tip of the tail

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus treatment of bloat, so if it is suspected, he should be taken After your dog is stabilized, he should have surgery
to your veterinarian immediately. Diagnosis will include called a gastropexy. The stomach is surgically attached
a consistent history, clinical signs, and usually confirmed to the body wall so it cannot rotate again. There are many
with a radiograph. Once diagnosed, your veterinarian will variations of this surgery and each veterinarian has one
want to quickly stabilize your dog by decompressing the they may prefer.
stomach, which will relieve the gas pressure. Intravenous Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
fluids will help recovery from shock, correct electrolyte Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
imbalances, and decrease pain. Unfortunately, if left for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
unnoticed, bloat can cause permanent damage to the surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
stomach and a portion of the stomach may need to be medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
removed. If this is necessary, there is a worse prognosis, Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
but your dog can still survive and live a normal life. A medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
cascade of events occurs rapidly with the excess pressure owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
on the organs and major blood vessels so quick action www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
leads to a better outcome. Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

Gastric dilatation volvulus (also called GDV, bloat
or torsion) is a common, potentially life threatening, Wealth ManageMent
condition that can affect many breeds of dogs. It is most
common in large breed, deep chested dogs such as Great
Danes, German Shepherds, Weimeraners, and Saint Financial Planning For Once your baby is born, the hospital staff will usually walk
Bernards. It is so common that studies have shown that you through a few important tasks, such as adding your child to
one in every four Great Danes will bloat and 66 percent New And Expecting Parents your health plan within the first 30 days of birth or submitting
the form to get your child a Social Security number. There are a
will die from GDV if preventative measures are not taken. few important things, however, they may not remind you about
Twenty percent of dogs that bloat after the age of 10 years Regardless of your age, that you do.
old will not survive even when aggressive veterinary care becoming a new parent Update your beneficiaries. Now that you have more than
is something no one can
is provided. We often equate bloat to Great Danes, but fully prepare for. Although just yourself to care for, it’s more important than ever to ensure
any dog over 99 pounds has a 20 percent chance of GDV sleepless nights and additional your beneficiary designations are up to date. This will ensure
in its lifetime. responsibilities are inevitable, the money you worked so hard to save goes to the appropriate
The signs appear suddenly and often progress very having a new baby can wreak people in the event something were to happen to you. If this
is your second or third child, don’t forget to review and adjust
quickly. The bloating occurs because your dog’s stomach havoc on your finances if your beneficiaries to ensure all children are accounted for.
has twisted (or torsed) in one or even two directions you’re not careful. You will Create or adjust your estate plan. Another way to ensure
which will not allow anything to leave the stomach. The likely have to adjust your cash your child will be cared for is to update your estate plan. If
flow to account for the added
stomach quickly fills with air and your dog’s abdomen expenses of another mouth to you do not have a current will or trust, now is the best time to
will swell. It may be mostly gas from gulping air and feed. Perhaps one spouse will create one. More importantly, naming your child’s guardian
it will feel and sound like an overfilled beach ball or decide to stay home, leaving in the event you and your spouse were to pass away is crucial
balloon if you tap on it. Your dog will become restless you with one income. With so to ensuring your children are cared for in the event you pre-
decease them.
and painful. He may vomit at first and salivate, then many changes being thrown Don’t forget about your retirement accounts. As much
have a non-productive retch (dry heaves). The increased your way, here are a few tips to make it less of a financial shock. as we want to give everything to our children to ensure they get
Understand your coverage. Understanding of what
pressure on the major abdominal vessels and discomfort expenses your health insurance covers will help you determine the most out of life, do not forget about your own retirement
will result in progressive depression, shock, and collapse. what your maximum out-of-pocket expense is. Babies can be plan. You should always fund your own retirement before
There is no specific reason why an individual will expensive; in fact, the average cost of raising a child born in funding other goals. Be sure to consistently contribute to your
bloat, but there are many factors that increase or decrease 2015 from birth to age 17 is $233,610, according to the U.S. retirement accounts so you can retire and enjoy what you have
the risk. Increased risk is associated with eating only one Department of Agriculture, and this doesn’t even factor in worked for.
Consider funding a college savings plan or UTMA. After

meal a day, eating rapidly, eating from an elevated bowl, college expenses.* paying for the necessities and funding your retirement accounts,
fearful or anxious personality, being underweight or Estimate your healthcare costs. Once you understand you may want to consider funding an account for your child. It
having a family member with a history of GDV. Factors your insurance benefits, you should have an idea of the cost never hurts to open the account and fund it when life allows for
of routine doctor’s visits, from your very first ultrasound to
that decrease the risk include eating multiple meals, the birth of your child. It’s helpful to come up with a budget it. Any time your child receives a monetary gift, you can use
including canned food in the diet and having an easy- before your new bundle of joy arrives and adjust it as needed. those funds to save up over time. When it comes to saving, the
going, happy temperament. Once your baby is born, it may take a few months until you earlier you start, the longer you have to let your funds grow,
GDV is a true emergency when it involves twisting of are comfortable with your cash flow. and by the time your children are ready to attend college, you
will have funds to help with college expenses.
the stomach. Dogs can be bloated and show discomfort Save ahead for future expenses. While not all expenses Stifel does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult
without volvulus. Time is very important to successful are foreseeable, much of what comes with the cost of having with your legal and tax advisors regarding your particular
a child can be budgeted. Doctor’s visits and child care costs,
for instance, will likely be an ongoing, consistent amount. situation.

*Source: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-
Saving an extra $50 or $100 from each paycheck can help
pad your child care expense fund. releases/2017/01/09/families-projected-spend-average-233610-
raising-child-born-2015
Fund your HSA. If you have an HSA account, you can use
those funds for the routine doctor’s visits. When your newborn is
sick, the last thing you want to worry about is how you will pay Article provided by Bob Sander, Senior Vice President/
the co-pay and cost of medicine to get your baby healthy again. Investments, with the Stuart branch of Stifel, who has attained
™
®
Cut down or pay off old debt. Before adding new debt the Certified Financial Planner (CFP ) designation and the
®
®
with the cost of a child, it’s a good idea to pay off old debt if Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF ) certification. He can
possible. This includes any credit card balances, student loans, be reached at (772) 403-8305 or sanderb@stifel.com. Stifel,
and any other debt you can afford to pay off. Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Member SIPC & NYSE