Page 10 - Martin Downs Bulletin - July '19

Page 10, Martin Downs

EstatE plannInG

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

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus the stomach. Dogs can be bloated and show discomfort quick action leads to a better outcome.
without volvulus. Time is very important to successful After your dog is stabilized, he should have surgery called
treatment of bloat, so if it is suspected, he should be taken a gastropexy. The stomach is surgically attached to the body
to your veterinarian immediately. Diagnosis will include a wall so it cannot rotate again. There are many variations of
consistent history, clinical signs, and usually confirmed with this surgery and each veterinarian has one they may prefer.
a radiograph. Once diagnosed, your veterinarian will want to Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center
quickly stabilize your dog by decompressing the stomach, is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your
which will relieve the gas pressure. Intravenous fluids will pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery,
help recovery from shock, correct electrolyte imbalances, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine,
and decrease pain. Unfortunately, if left unnoticed, bloat can extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City
cause permanent damage to the stomach and a portion of the Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical
stomach may need to be removed. If this is necessary, there care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
is a worse prognosis, but your dog can still survive and live For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
a normal life. A cascade of events occurs rapidly with the palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
excess pressure on the organs and major blood vessels so at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

Gastric dilatation volvulus (also called GDV, bloat Hurricane SeaSon iS coming ...
or torsion) is a common, potentially life threatening,
condition that can affect many breeds of dogs. It is most
common in large breed, deep chested dogs such as Great ... are your windowS ready?
Danes, German Shepherds, Weimeraners, and Saint
Bernards. It is so common that studies have shown that
one in every four Great Danes will bloat and 66 percent
will die from GDV if preventative measures are not taken.
Twenty percent of dogs that bloat after the age of 10 years
old will not survive even when aggressive veterinary care
is provided. We often equate bloat to Great Danes, but
any dog over 99 pounds has a 20 percent chance of GDV
in its lifetime.
The signs appear suddenly and often progress very
quickly. The bloating occurs because your dog’s stomach
has twisted (or torsed) in one or even two directions which
will not allow anything to leave the stomach. The stomach
quickly fills with air and your dog’s abdomen will swell. It
may be mostly gas from gulping air and it will feel and sound
like an overfilled beach ball or balloon if you tap on it. Your
dog will become restless and painful. He may vomit at first
and salivate, then have a non-productive retch (dry heaves).
The increased pressure on the major abdominal vessels and
discomfort will result in progressive depression, shock, and
collapse.
There is no specific reason why an individual will bloat,
but there are many factors that increase or decrease the risk.
Increased risk is associated with eating only one meal a
day, eating rapidly, eating from an elevated bowl, fearful or
anxious personality, being underweight or having a family
member with a history of GDV. Factors that decrease the risk
include eating multiple meals, including canned food in the get a Quote for new windows & doors Today!
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