Page 6 - Hobe Sound Reflections - November '19

Page 6, Hobe Sound
estate tIP of tHe taIL

PLannIng Pancreatitis more than one diagnostic modality. A combination of physical
Oftentimes a diagnosis of pancreatitis involves utilizing
Pancreatitis, or examination findings, abdominal imaging (including radiographs
inflammation of the and/or ultrasound), and a variety of blood tests may be needed
Honor Flight Recognizes pancreas, can be for a diagnosis. Physical examination findings may include
abdominal pain or fever. Blood tests may show an elevated white
described as acute
Veterans’ Service And Sacrifices or chronic. Acute blood cell count or elevations of pancreatic enzymes. Abdominal
pancreatitis results imaging may show evidence of pancreatic inflammation. Some
By Carrie Lavargna, Esq. in sudden clinical animals may not show abnormalities on these tests, and a
On Nov. 2 Southeast symptoms without any presumptive diagnosis is made based on clinical symptoms and
Florida Honor Flight flew permanent changes to the pancreas. With chronic pancreatitis, medical history.
over 70 United States war persistent inflammation causes irreversible changes to the The cause of acute pancreatitis is usually unknown. Some
veterans to Washington pancreas and possibly permanent damage to pancreatic function. risk factors include high fat diets, obesity, diabetes mellitus, prior
D.C. to visit and reflect The pancreas is located on the right side of the abdomen gastrointestinal diseases, and certain medications (including
at the WWII, Korean and adjacent to the stomach and duodenum. The pancreas serves diuretics, chemotherapeutics, and anti-seizure medications).
Vietnam memorials and two main functions: exocrine functions and endocrine functions. Treatment of pancreatitis depends on the severity of
to have a front row seat Its exocrine function consists of secreting digestive enzymes to symptoms. Many affected animals will be treated with analgesics
for the changing of the help break down food; its endocrine function includes secretion to help control pain and with intravenous fluids to help maintain
guards at Arlington National of insulin to help regulate blood sugar. The exocrine function of normal hydration. Additionally, anti-emetic medications may be
Cemetery. the pancreas is the concern during acute pancreatitis. Normally, administered to help control vomiting. Antibiotics are used in
I had the extreme privilege of serving as a personal pancreatic enzymes are produced in an inactive state, travelling certain circumstances. Usually, food is restricted temporarily and
guardian for WWII and Korean war veteran, John Sanford from the pancreas through the pancreatic duct to the duodenum. then slowly re-introduced once vomiting has been controlled.
from Port St. Lucie. In the duodenum, the enzymes are activated and they begin to The prognosis for pancreatitis depends on its severity. In
Southeast Florida Honor Flight is a nonprofit digest food. With cases of pancreatitis, the digestive enzymes are mild forms of acute pancreatitis, with aggressive treatment, the
organization created solely to honor America’s veterans activated prematurely in the pancreas, which results in digestion prognosis is usually good. Most animals recover without any
for their service and sacrifices. They provide a chartered of the pancreas itself. The digestive enzymes can also leak into permanent pancreatic damage. However, in cases of severe or
airline from the Palm Beach airport to Reagan National the abdomen, where they can cause damage to other organs, repeated pancreatitis, the prognosis can be guarded, even with
in D.C., chartered buses for travel in D.C., meals, and a including the liver and kidneys. If pancreatitis enters a chronic aggressive therapy.
welcome ceremony at various sites. stage, irreversible changes can affect pancreatic endocrine Prevention of pancreatitis may include weight reduction
Southeast Florida Honor Flight is part of a national function, resulting in diabetes mellitus. if an animal is obese or providing a fat-restricted diet, as well
network of 141 nonprofit organizations (hubs) whose The symptoms of pancreatitis can vary in severity, depending as avoiding certain medications. However, as many cases of
sole mission is to honor America’s veterans for all the on the extent of damage. The most common symptoms are pancreatitis have an unknown cause, preventative measures are
sacrifices they’ve made on behalf of our country. anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. not always effective at avoiding pancreatitis.
First conceived in 2005 Diagnosing pancreatitis in cats can be more difficult than in dogs. Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
by a retired Air Force Vomiting occurs in up to 90 percent of dogs with pancreatitis dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
captain, the inaugural but in only 35 percent of cats. Abdominal pain occurs in up to focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
Honor Flight took place 60 percent of dogs but in only 25 percent of cats. The symptoms rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics, and
in May of 2005. Six of pancreatitis also overlap with other abdominal diseases, emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center combines
small planes flew out of including acute gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal obstruction, exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and
Springfield, Ohio, taking and inflammatory bowel disease. Miniature schnauzers are their owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
just 12 World War II predisposed to pancreatitis, as they commonly have altered fat www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
veterans on a visit to the metabolism. at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
memorial in Washington,
D.C. Later that year, after
word got out, the list of Wealth ManageMent
veterans grew and Honor
Flight transitioned from a
few small private aircrafts iPlanning: Estate Planning in the Digital World
to commercial airline
carriers with the goal of
With society fi1mly
accommodating as many entrenched in the digital world, can take to help ensure that digital assets will be administered
according to your wishes:
veterans as possible. just about everyone has digital 1. Prepare a complete inventory of digital assets. Included in
Since then, all Honor assets. There are currently 1.59 this inventory should be infmmation regarding the location
Flights have flown more billion active monthly Facebook of each digital asset, as well as usernames, passwords, and
than 200,000 veterans to users, 900 million Gmail users, answers to security questions. This inventory should be
held in a secure location with your other estate planning
Washington, D.C. from 307 million active monthly documents to minimize the risk of this information falling
Twitter users, and 10 million
cities all over the country. active Bitcoin wallets. What into the hands of a non-authorized individual. Stifel’s “Final
This November we happens to all of these digital Thoughts and Information to Loved Ones” may be a useful
honor the men and women assets when the owner dies? tool when compiling this inventory. Contact your Stifel
who have served our Applicable Law Financial Advisor for a copy of this piece.
The legal waters governing
country in the military on the administration of digital 2. Research whether certain websites allow a user to appoint
an individual to manage accounts after the user’s passing.
Veterans Day. assets after the owner’s Many websites, including Facebook and Google, now permit
Veterans and their families should be aware of all death are murky. The Stored users to designate an individual to access their account after
government benefits to which they may be entitled. In Communications Act (“SCA”) death. Taking advantage of this opportunity can help ensure
addition to the VA pension, disability and health care, generally prohibits providers of public communications to that one’s fiduciary is not in violation of the website’s TOS.
3. Appoint a fiduciary for all digital assets. When working
war era veterans and their surviving spouses who require the general public from disclosing the contents of a user’s with an estate planning attorney to create a last will and
communication without the lawful consent of the sender or
regular assistance of another person for daily living may recipient. Accordingly, family members may not be allowed testament, revocable living trust, and general durable power
qualify for the “Aid and Attendance” benefit. To qualify to access a decedent’s digital assets involving electronic of attorney, you should verify that the attorney includes
the veteran or the spouse must need help in at least two communications unless the decedent expressly consented to such provisions expressly granting your fiduciary the authority
of the daily activities of living, such as eating, bathing, assets prior to death. to access all digital assets.
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”) outlaws
bathroom, dressing, and getting up and down. unauthorized access to computers and the data contained therein. 4. Provide instructions governing the administration of your
digital assets. When working with an estate planning attorney
The VA has established certain income and asset Even if a decedent properly authorized computer access by a to create a last will and testament, revocable living trust, and
criteria for the Aid and Attendance benefit; it’s family member, the family member may still be in violation of general durable power of attorney, you should verify that the
worthwhile to check on the qualifications since benefits the CFAA by using the computer to access digital assets not stored attorney includes provisions providing detailed instructions
can be $1,209 for the veteran’s surviving spouse and up locally (e.g., logging into Facebook). regarding the administration of all digital assets.
Article provided by Bob Sander, Senior Vice President/
As if these laws don’t complicate things enough, the custodians
to $2,230 monthly for a married veteran. of digital assets may have provisions in their Terms of Service Investments, with the Stumi branch of Stifel, who has attained
To learn more about Aid and Attendance and other agreements (“TOS”) that impact the administration of digital assets the Ce1iified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation and the
VA benefits contact your local VA office. Martin County after an owner’s death. Some of these TOSs may restrict any third Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) certification. He can
Veterans Services is located at 435 S.E. Flagler Avenue party’s access to a decedent’s digital asset. be reached at (772) 403-8305 or sanderb@stifel.com. Stifel,
in Stuart and their telephone number is (772) 288-5448. In hopes of providing clarity on the issue, the Uniform Law Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Member SIPC & NYSE
Stifel does not provide legal advice. You should consult with
It is important to protect those who have protected us. Commission has created the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access your estate planning attorney regarding your particular situation.
to Digital Assets Act (“RUFADAA”). This act is designed to help
If you have a family member or friend who is a veteran, facilitate authorized third-party access to a decedent’s digital
please share this information with them and thank them assets. In doing so, the Uniform Law Commission hopes to allow 1 Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida,
for their service. owners of digital assets to control their disposition as they are able Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland,
This column is an overview of the subject matter and to do with tangible, real, and financial assets. As of early 2018, 39 Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New
1
is not intended as legal advice. Carrie Lavargna is an states have adopted the RUFADAA. Six states and the District Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio,
of Columbia have introduced an RUFADAA bill but have not yet
Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont,
attorney practicing law in Stuart at Lavargna Law, PLLC enacted the bill into law. 2 Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
and is board certified in real estate law by The Florida Digital Estate Planning Solutions 2 Georgia, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Rhode
Bar and is designated an accredited estate planner While we wait for the legal waters governing the administration Island
(AEP) by the National Association of Estate Planners of a decedent’s digital assets to clear, there are certain steps you
and Councils.