081822_SW_THE ARTS_DIGITAL EDITION

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6 x August 18 — 31, 2022 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com During a time of concern for the environmental health of the world, many people are more aware of their personal impact on the planet than ever before. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines carbon footprint as “the amount of greenhouse gases and specifically carbon dioxide emitted by something (such as a person’s activities or a product’s manufacture and transport) during a given period.” If you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint, below are some tips to get you started: Say no to single-use items. In recent years, much awareness has been brought to the forefront on the impact something as small as a plastic straw can have on the environment. In fact, you may already carry a reusable straw. Go even further by replacing paper towels with dish towels, which you can use to clean up spills and messes, throw in the wash, and use again. Instead of single-use plastic water bottles, purchase or install a water filter to have access to clean water without HOW Protect the Planet Various Lifestyle Changes Can Help the Environment plastic consumption. In that same vein, you can switch to refillable and sustainable products. Many household items can be bought TO ... by Lauren Salinero Everybody plays a part in protecting the environmental health of the planet. as refillables (hand soaps, beauty products, etc.) or even made at home from organic, nontoxic ingredients (cleaning solutions, detergents). You can also make a concerted effort to purchase products that use recycled materials or minimal or plastic-free packaging. While many people already recycle as they throw things away, think about recycling more than just trash. You can donate unwanted or unused items, shop at secondhand stores for clothing, and repair torn or worn-out clothes instead of buying new. Don’t choose short-lived fashion trends, but opt for classic pieces that will last for years and never go out of style. It isn’t just what you put on your body that has an impact on the environment, it is also what you put in your body. Eating in-season locally sourced foods can do more than just help the environment. Supporting area farms and other businesses boosts the local economy. Buying locally also cuts down on food transportation, which reduces gas emissions caused by ground and air transport. Eating foods that are currently in season alleviates the need for long-term storage and ensures that what you’re eating is fresh, which also tastes better. You can also change the way you move around in the world. Try limiting your use of a personal vehicle, and consider walking or biking to nearby stores, carpooling with others when going to the same or a nearby location, and using public transportation when possible. This will not only reduce emissions, but has the added benefit of saving money on gas. Another way to save money is to assess your energy usage at home. Orlando has co-ops available for those wanting to explore the option of solar energy. You can also change your lightbulbs to LED, shop for Energy Star-certified appliances, keep your home at a moderate temperature, take shorter showers and use cold water to wash laundry. These small steps can add up to making a big difference. Whether you are starting small or making big lifestyle changes, everything you do to help sustain the planet’s health will help future generations. ª Nurse Practitioners: Esther Pelissier, ARPN-BC Irene Gan, PMHNP Raykha Crag-Chaderton, PMHNP-BC Rachael Pittala, ARPN-BC Therapists: Michael Kellogg, LMHC, ATR-BC Randie Morillo, LC<strong>SW</strong>, AC<strong>SW</strong> Amy Singleton, LMHC Brooke Parker, LMHC Cristal Daniel, LMHC Rachael Pittala Esther Pelissier
For many years I lived in my parents’ home caring for them until their deaths. My mother, 90 years old, was last to die. Months prior to her death I invited my younger sister to move in with us to help care for mom because I was being assigned by my firm to its North Dakota branch which removed me from Florida for over a year. During my absence, my sister, without my knowing, took mom to an attorney to prepare a last will naming her as sole executor and beneficiary of all mom’s assets other her home and its contents which she named me as sole beneficiary. Subsequently, she assisted mom in securing a Reverse Mortgage on her home whereby she received a lump sum of $250,000. She deposited the money in a joint account in both my mom’s and her names. Following the funeral, the bank account was closed and I have not seen my sister since. Meanwhile, I am left with a mortgage on the family home owing $250,000. This has been the family home for more than 45 years with a current value of $526,000. Regardless of my sister’s actions, I do not wish to give up on the family home, but the mortgage company will not allow me to continue payments. I have heard a lot of troubling things about Reverse Mortgages and am worried I can lose the home. How do Reverse Mortgages work and what must I do to force the company to provide me the balance owed? No mortgage company is required to speak to anyone other than the person who signs the mortgage. Understanding probate, most Reverse Probating Reverse Mortgages by: Kristen M. Jackson / Attorney www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x August 18 — 31, 2022 x 7 Mortgage companies will continue a dialogue with family members following someone’s death. To guarantee dialog, you must file probate. Once named as the executor in your mother’s will, by filing probate, the court will grant you the authority to take over the obligations of your mother. Once appointed legally by the court, the mortgage company will notify you of the amount owed on the loan. Unless you have the cash to pay off the loan you will have to refinance the home with a Traditional loan. Reverse Mortgages are available to seniors 62 years of age or older. Responsibility of paying off the loan is no different than paying off any type of mortgage. The primary difference between a Traditional Mortgage and a Reverse Mortgage is that a Traditional requires you to pay back the loan monthly whereas with a Reverse, repayment generally occurs within one year after you move out of the property or when you die. In other words, when your mom died, the entire mortgage amount became due and family members wishing to save the home have to pay the entire amount of the outstanding mortgage. If they have insufficient funds, but wish to keep the property, after it is retitled into another’s name through probate, they need to refinance the Reverse Mortgage to pay it off. Be aware, however, it is best to act quickly because interest accrues the entire time the loan remains outstanding so the balance keeps rising during this time. Upon the death of the last parent with a Reverse Mortgage, be sure to consult with a Probate Attorney if you wish to keep their home. Legal Areas of Practice By our Team of Attorneys Administrative Advance Directives Bankruptcy Business Buy / Sell Contracts Commercial Contracts Corporation Criminal Employment Estate Planning Family Law Guardianship Litigation Last Wills Medicaid Powers Of Attorney Pre-Nuptials Probate Real Estate Special Needs Title & Closings Trusts Trademark Real Estate Closings, Title Insurance, Sales & Purchases, Leases, Contract Review, Contract Preparation Estate Planning Wills, Trusts, Probate, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, Pre-Need Guardians, Trust Administration, Pet (Animal) Trusts Probate With or without a Last Will, in order to obtain assets, pay debts and taxes and distribute remaining assets to the heirs or beneficiaries, the deceased’s estate requires the assistance of an attorney to manage the court supervised administration. Corporation & Business Law Contracts, Start-ups, Purchase or Sales, Corporations (Inc.), Limited Liability Companies (LLC’s), Trademarks, Copyrights, Franchise Agreements (407)363-9020 www.JacksonLawPA.com Offices: Orlando Credit Cards Accepted Kristen Jackson Attorney At Law
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Page 9 and 10: gained self-sufficiency through emp
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Page 13 and 14: Southwest Orlando Home & Real Estat
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Page 19 and 20: Foundation (OMYF), held its 31st an
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