April 2007 - On Top of the World Communities Info

2 The World News® April 2007Golden Oldies Humorby Stan GoldsteinThe World News is a monthly publication of On Top of the World Communities in MarionCounty, Florida. This publication is written and prepared by On Top of the World residents forour neighbors and those interested in becoming a part of our community. The World Newsstrives to publish only “good, informative news.”(352) 854-0248 • Fax (352) 237-5224The World News, On Top of the World Communities, Inc.9850 SW 84th Ct., Suite 300, Ocala, FL 34481Publisher: Ken ColenEditor: Lynn Peithman StockPhotographer:Larry ResnickDistribution:Ray UtissProduction Staff:Proofreaders:Margaret AdamsGitte AgarwalMargitta ClaterbosJerry ThompsonTypists:Jewel HaferSherry SurdamThe World News is partially subsidized by advertising, and advertisers appreciate yourpatronage. Management of On Top of the World News does not endorse or sanction anyproduct or service by advertisers contained within this publication. Management reservesthe right to accept, deny or edit content of ads and requests for advertising spaceby advertisers. For advertising rates, please call 854-0248. Fax: (352) 237-5224. E-mail:otownews@otowfl.comDownload a PDF of the World News at www.OnTopoftheWorldInfo.com“Funny, I don’t remember being absent-minded.”Citizens EmergencyResponse TeamCaroline ScottFebruary was a very busy month for all ofus.At our monthly meeting we had a refreshercourse on triage. Triage is the art of sorting.As it applies to us, we have to be preparedto know who is “green,” meaning anyone whomay be injured but is able to walk under hisor her own power, take directions, and answersimple questions. This type of person can be agreat asset in times of emergency.Then we have the classification of “yellow.”Any victim in this category is injured andneeds medical attention. Although a “yellow”can wait for attention, they have to be checkedconstantly to make sure their condition doesnot deteriorate into the next category, whichis red.The “reds” are seriously hurt and needimmediate attention, and should be the firstones taken care of.All of these victims are tagged with correspondingcolored tags and separated intogroups so they can be treated accordingly.During our meeting, with different scenarios,we had to answer questions as to thecolor for each of eight victims. As with anygroup, we had a few differences of opinionand discussions as to which was which. We allrealized that each circumstance must be determinedseparately.Five of us attended the Sholom Park concerton Feb. 18 as a first-aid station. Althoughour expertise was not needed, we enjoyed aconcert of Irish music on a beautiful crisp day.I would encourage anyone who can, to go tothese free concerts for a lovely afternoon ofentertainment. We’ll be there for the next onein the same capacity.On Feb. 24, eight of our members got intoour golf carts and stationed ourselves at differentintersections of the Williamsburg areafor the safety of the walkers who participatedin the “Hoofin’ It for Hospice” walk. RuthGoldstine, one of our members, chaired thisvery important event. With so many residentsthat ordinarily walk for their health, theycould also walk for Hospice one day a yearand feel even better about themselves. Try itnext year.We meet the second Tuesday of each monthat 9 a.m. in Suites E, F and G at the Arbor ConferenceCenter, and all are welcome to comeand see what else we do. Is It Legal?Gerald ColenNote: I will be holding three classes at theCircle Square Cultural Center, at On Top ofthe World in Ocala, on the following days andtopics:• Tuesday April 24 from 3 to 4 p.m. Thetopic will be Florida Law.• Tuesday May 15 from 3 to 4 p.m. Thetopic will be Annuities.• Tuesday June 12 from 3 to 4 p.m. Thetopic will be Mid-Year Check-up.For the meeting on April 24, I will discussa variety of issues such as homestead protectionagainst claims of creditors, homesteadexemption, different ways of having jointownership of property in Florida, pre-nuptialand post-nuptial agreements. I will also discusspersonal injury law but for that one, I willbring with me attorney Michael Uzdavines, apersonal injury attorney, and he can talk toyou about that.For the meeting on May 15, I will speak toyou about annuities — not the good, but thebad and the ugly.For the meeting on June 12, I will take sometime and discuss the things I think you shoulddo in order to get your legal affairs in order.As always, I’ll stay as long as you mightwish and answer any questions you have.Q. I have been separated from my husbandfor the last seven years. He lives in the stateof (an eastern state) and is living with a companion.The home he is living in is ours fromduring the time we lived together (31 years)and it’s in both of our names. I rent a homebut want to buy one and live with a friend whowould contribute half of the purchase priceand then title would be in both of our nameswith joint ownership with survivorship. If myfriend and I split up or if he dies, will I be ableto sell the home?A. Wow! A bunch of questions in a fewshort lines. OK. I’ll try to answer them. Youhaven’t really asked any question(s) about thehome your now-separated-from-you husbandis living in and I can’t anticipate what theymight be, so I’ll pass on that. As for what youintend to do in the state of Florida, here aremy thoughts. First, if you and your friend splitup, then each of you would be entitled to onehalfof the value of the home when you sell it.If you don’t sell it but one of you remains init (presumably that would be you), then youwould still have to split the proceeds of anysale with him and you might have to pay allthe expenses for upkeep; but if you did, youcould probably claim that as a credit againstwhat might be owed to him when the homeis sold. If he dies, then you would own theproperty outright … “but” and it’s a rathersubstantial “but,” if your husband is still alive,and no matter where he is living, you wouldmore than likely need to have his signature onany deed of conveyance. So, the best thing foryou is to sit down with your attorney and discusshow you want to handle all of the variousissues that might arise.Q. I haven’t seen or heard from my wifefor the last 22 years, but I know where shelives because my kids are in touch with her.I also know that there has never been a divorce,at least not in state of (a mid-westernstate) where she and I were married and whereshe still lives. I am seeing a very nice lady andPatrick’sHeating & Air Conditioning, Inc.Water HeatersSales & ServiceWe are a full-service companyWhy not give us a try?want to marry her but I don’t see the need fora divorce since they are quite expensive. So,what’s wrong with that?A. Do you mean so what’s wrong withthat other than that if you are not or don’tget divorced you will be committing a criminalevent, to wit: Bigamy? Or do you mean sowhat’s wrong with that other than if you arenot or don’t get divorced you really won’t bemarried to your next wife and thus your “marriage”will be voidable? SIGH.Gerald R. Colen is an attorney and memberof the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneysand the Elder Law section of the FloridaBar Association. He concentrates his practiceof law in the areas of elder law, wills, trusts,probate, real estate, business law and simpleand complex estate planning. This columnis not intended to provide legal advice. Youshould always consult your own attorney forsuch advice. Mr. Colen is available for conferencesat his law office at 7243 Bryan DairyRoad, Largo, Fla. 33777; (727) 545-8114 orat On Top of the World, in Clearwater. InOcala, Mr. Colen is available, by appointment,for legal conferences at the new On Top ofthe World sales office annex which is nearSid’s Coffee Shop. He responds to e-mail atgcolen@tampabay.rr.com or through his Website: www.gcolen.com.Upcoming Publication DateMay issue: Thursday, April 26Schedule YourSpring MaintenanceTune UpHEAT PUMPS • WATER HEATERS • GAS LINESTECO GasAdvantage PartnerDriver Safety ProgramSave money on your car insuranceClasses monthly.For information,call Larrie, at 873-1537State CertifiedLicense # CAC1813636Family Owned & Operated35 Years Experience(352) 236-0400Bonded & InsuredCredit Cards Accepted