{"id":47,"date":"2014-03-19T01:50:36","date_gmt":"2014-03-19T01:50:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stone.radixinteractive.com\/?page_id=47"},"modified":"2017-11-21T19:01:18","modified_gmt":"2017-11-21T19:01:18","slug":"elder-law-estates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/","title":{"rendered":"Elder Law &#038; Estates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_section-b92486d26d0fe95406c371e59968afe8\">\n.avia-section.av-av_section-b92486d26d0fe95406c371e59968afe8{\nbackground-repeat:no-repeat;\nbackground-image:url(https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Panama-City-Elder-Law-Attorneys.png);\nbackground-position:50% 50%;\nbackground-attachment:scroll;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section av-av_section-b92486d26d0fe95406c371e59968afe8 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-first  avia-full-stretch avia-bg-style-scroll av-minimum-height av-minimum-height-custom  container_wrap sidebar_right'  data-section-bg-repeat='stretch' data-av_minimum_height_px='300'><div class='container av-section-cont-open' style='height:300px'><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-47'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_heading-e3d3f4c4d2688498ddbf89757e262652\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-e3d3f4c4d2688498ddbf89757e262652{\npadding-bottom:0px;\ncolor:#ffffff;\nfont-size:90px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-e3d3f4c4d2688498ddbf89757e262652 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-e3d3f4c4d2688498ddbf89757e262652 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:90px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-av_heading-e3d3f4c4d2688498ddbf89757e262652 .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#ffffff;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-av_heading-e3d3f4c4d2688498ddbf89757e262652 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-av_heading-e3d3f4c4d2688498ddbf89757e262652 av-special-heading-h1 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote modern-centered  avia-builder-el-1  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  av-inherit-size'><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Elder Law <span class='special_amp'>&amp;<\/span> Estate Planning <\/h1><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_section-6a3dfa10873d5560cc736d4f37f34688\">\n.avia-section.av-av_section-6a3dfa10873d5560cc736d4f37f34688{\nbackground-color:#7f121d;\nbackground-image:unset;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_2'  class='avia-section av-av_section-6a3dfa10873d5560cc736d4f37f34688 main_color avia-section-small avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_textblock  avia-bg-style-scroll av-minimum-height av-minimum-height-custom  container_wrap sidebar_right'   data-av_minimum_height_px='100'><div class='container av-section-cont-open' style='height:100px'><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-47'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_headline_rotator-20526964b5a43a141888642418c4497d\">\n#top .av-rotator-container.av-av_headline_rotator-20526964b5a43a141888642418c4497d{\ntext-align:center;\nfont-size:24px;\ncolor:#ffffff;\nmargin:0 0 0 0;\n}\n#top .av-rotator-container.av-av_headline_rotator-20526964b5a43a141888642418c4497d .av-rotator-container-inner{\nfont-size:24px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-sub-av-av_headline_rotator-20526964b5a43a141888642418c4497d\">\n#top .av-rotator-container .av-rotator-text-single.av-av_rotator_item-a6fb339ff3c9ed88b31c85ffefe2081e{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n#top .av-rotator-container .av-rotator-text-single.av-av_rotator_item-3f42e5ce36bceba6d93d355036cb5cc2{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n#top .av-rotator-container .av-rotator-text-single.av-av_rotator_item-12e6bcf7bd102dba7f65f50618478186{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n#top .av-rotator-container .av-rotator-text-single.av-av_rotator_item-0bc956b95b69fb4e5131f97b588b7f97{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n#top .av-rotator-container .av-rotator-text-single.av-av_rotator_item-c5bf3a5ccce484a1c885243c76487c41{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-rotator-container av-rotation-container-center av-av_headline_rotator-20526964b5a43a141888642418c4497d  avia-builder-el-3  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  av-fixed-rotator-width' data-interval='4' data-animation='0' data-fixWidth='1'><h3 class='av-rotator-container-inner'><span class='av-rotator-text av-rotator-multiline-off'>\n<span class='av-rotator-text-single av-av_rotator_item-a6fb339ff3c9ed88b31c85ffefe2081e av-rotator-text-single-1'>Pam Sutton has trained Tyndall AFB JAG officers in Florida estate law<\/span>\n<span class='av-rotator-text-single av-av_rotator_item-3f42e5ce36bceba6d93d355036cb5cc2 av-rotator-text-single-2'>A will must be written and executed correctly to be valid and accomplish what the signer intended.<\/span>\n<span class='av-rotator-text-single av-av_rotator_item-12e6bcf7bd102dba7f65f50618478186 av-rotator-text-single-3'>Having a durable power of attorney can help ensure your wishes are followed<br \/>\nwhen you can no longer voice them.<\/span>\n<span class='av-rotator-text-single av-av_rotator_item-0bc956b95b69fb4e5131f97b588b7f97 av-rotator-text-single-4'>We provide probate representation throughout the state of Florida<\/span>\n<span class='av-rotator-text-single av-av_rotator_item-c5bf3a5ccce484a1c885243c76487c41 av-rotator-text-single-5'>There are different probate options allowed by Florida law.<br \/>\nWe can help you figure out which one you should use.<\/span>\n<\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_2'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-47'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'><\/p>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-0366cc7376be6c9e82a3e9cc8987b64f'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>Panama City, Florida Elder Law\u00a0and Estate Planning\u00a0Lawyers<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Planning for the future<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>As we age, we face special legal problems.\u00a0 <strong>But, it is not just the elderly who need to have plans for their future.<\/strong>\u00a0 In these uncertain times, the whole family needs a strategy for what will happen in the event of death or disability.<\/p>\n<p>Estate planning prepares for the distribution of your property after your death.\u00a0 It also includes making lifetime plans for managing your finances or making decisions if you become unable to do so.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Our approach to elder law and estate planning \u2013 a personalized assessment of your needs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Panama City attorney <strong>Pam Sutton<\/strong> is a Harvard graduate with the highest peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell.\u00a0 She provides legal services in this area of law, including:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_half-352b07ef7d3bc99b2e9f92e7a9e06bdb\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_half-352b07ef7d3bc99b2e9f92e7a9e06bdb{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_one_half-352b07ef7d3bc99b2e9f92e7a9e06bdb av_one_half  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_one_half  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding column-top-margin'     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_iconlist-4c40081b1dd9ee0a61cdc521c00ce182\">\n#top .avia-icon-list-container.av-av_iconlist-4c40081b1dd9ee0a61cdc521c00ce182 .iconlist_icon{\ncolor:#ffffff;\nbackground-color:#333333;\nborder:1px solid #333333;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .avia-icon-list-container.av-av_iconlist-4c40081b1dd9ee0a61cdc521c00ce182 .av_iconlist_title{\ncolor:#333333;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container av-av_iconlist-4c40081b1dd9ee0a61cdc521c00ce182  avia-builder-el-6  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big av-av_iconlist-4c40081b1dd9ee0a61cdc521c00ce182 avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-av_iconlist_item-8de5c06c48f5d4aabf76972512ca5b74 avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue879' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"headline\" >Wills<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-av_iconlist_item-656af7890c025b11c779463b24bc8b71 avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue879' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"headline\" >Trusts<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-av_iconlist_item-146280b57486d4e92171a70b637df3ad avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue879' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"headline\" >Power of Attorney<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-av_iconlist_item-fbf16da50ebcd93d84898eeb0b8ab4bc avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue879' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"headline\" >Health Care Surrogate<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-av_iconlist_item-e2bf0c12b923156abe29a6349b91050b avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue879' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"headline\" >Living Will<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-av_iconlist_item-77dd7332db6d9b4fd643e66ee96bcbb2 avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue879' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"headline\" >Probate Proceedings<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_half-2a64de42b738552fe666ca889af77e28\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_half-2a64de42b738552fe666ca889af77e28{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_one_half-2a64de42b738552fe666ca889af77e28 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_textblock  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding column-top-margin'     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_iconlist-4c40081b1dd9ee0a61cdc521c00ce182\">\n#top .avia-icon-list-container.av-av_iconlist-4c40081b1dd9ee0a61cdc521c00ce182 .iconlist_icon{\ncolor:#ffffff;\nbackground-color:#333333;\nborder:1px solid #333333;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .avia-icon-list-container.av-av_iconlist-4c40081b1dd9ee0a61cdc521c00ce182 .av_iconlist_title{\ncolor:#333333;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container av-av_iconlist-4c40081b1dd9ee0a61cdc521c00ce182  avia-builder-el-8  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big av-av_iconlist-4c40081b1dd9ee0a61cdc521c00ce182 avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-av_iconlist_item-8b874a53e12a5cc6b746bfb91046a4a5 avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue879' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"headline\" >Guardianship<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-av_iconlist_item-e5385436757e3d84f63af1a80e884ad3 avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue879' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"headline\" >Special Needs Trusts<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-av_iconlist_item-36fa2926bf456e3add2d15ef33b7026c avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue879' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"headline\" >Deeds<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-av_iconlist_item-7ce2ba12f4b52b08ab45db03408135b2 avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue879' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"headline\" >Asset Protection<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class='iconlist_icon av-av_iconlist_item-b005e5ce881ea3b5cb97bf60295d1b1e avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue879' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class=\"iconlist_content_wrap\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"headline\" >Ancillary Administration of Estates<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content '  itemprop=\"text\" ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class=\"iconlist-timeline\"><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-0366cc7376be6c9e82a3e9cc8987b64f'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Don\u2019t be intimidated by the length of this list.\u00a0 Most people do not need all of these services.\u00a0 We will help you figure out what you need and what you don\u2019t need.<\/p>\n<p>We schedule an initial consultation to analyze your specific circumstances.\u00a0 <strong>This consultation is very valuable.<\/strong>\u00a0 You will get lots of information and we will ask you questions you may not have thought about.<\/p>\n<p>Often, people think they need elaborate estate planning lawyer arrangements, especially involving trusts.\u00a0 This is not always true.\u00a0 Some clients find that they don\u2019t even need a will.\u00a0 We are able to offer clients options that may be less complicated and less costly but still will satisfy their needs.<\/p>\n<p>We also work with lawyers from other states and with financial advisors and tax professionals where appropriate to ensure that clients get all the professional advice and information they need to make good decisions.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Wills and Trusts<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Both wills and living trusts are documents that provide instructions concerning what will happen to a person\u2019s estate after he or she dies.\u00a0 The functions of wills and trusts often overlap and people may have both.<\/p>\n<p>A <strong>will<\/strong> is the most common document for accomplishing estate planning.\u00a0 In a will, normally you identify your beneficiaries and what they receive.\u00a0 A will may include special provisions, such as naming a guardian for your minor child, stating whether you wish to be cremated, authorizing a separate list to give away items of personal property, and ratifying distribution of assets from joint accounts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A will must be written and executed correctly in order to be valid and to accomplish what the signer intended.<\/strong>\u00a0 We have seen many cases in which, after death, a will is rejected because it was not properly drafted or executed or is enforced very differently from what the deceased person intended because the drafter didn\u2019t understand the legal consequences of what was written down.<\/p>\n<p>A <strong>trust<\/strong> is a means of changing the ownership of your assets.\u00a0 A <strong>living trust<\/strong> may provide that you transfer ownership of assets during your lifetime but that you still may retain the benefit of owning and managing those assets.\u00a0 A living trust may also direct what happens to trust property when you die.<\/p>\n<p>A will can contain trust provisions.\u00a0 For example, you can name someone to supervise assets left to minor children or grandchildren until they are old enough to take control of the money or property themselves, or you can make provisions for the care of disabled family members.\u00a0 This is called a <strong>testamentary trust<\/strong>.\u00a0 Trusts tend to be more expensive to prepare than simple wills but may provide more flexibility.<\/p>\n<p>There are many factors to be considered when you choose a will or a living trust or both.\u00a0 To discuss your options, call <strong>Pam Sutton<\/strong> at <strong><span style=\"color: #7f121d;\">850.785.7272<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate Designation, Living Will<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>These are basic estate-planning documents that are often part of an estate plan and that everyone should consider obtaining.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Long-term care and power of attorney<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>While some decisions may need to be made by a guardian when a senior is incapable, there are arrangements he or she can make before that time comes.\u00a0 By choosing a trusted individual to have power of attorney, you can help to assure that your wishes are followed when you can no longer voice them.<\/p>\n<p>A <strong>power of attorney<\/strong> is a document authorizing someone else to act for you.\u00a0 In estate planning, a <strong>durable power of attorney<\/strong>, if correctly written and executed, will allow you to choose someone to manage your financial affairs during your lifetime and may continue to do so even if you become mentally incapacitated, without the need to obtain a guardianship.\u00a0 More than one person may be designated under a power of attorney to act for you.<\/p>\n<p>Determining the appropriate person to entrust with planning your long-term care as well as dealing with financial, legal, or health care matters can seem challenging.\u00a0 Numerous bumps in the road may arise and should be discussed with a legal advisor since your decisions may need to be included in legal documents.<\/p>\n<p>To discuss creating your power of attorney, call <strong>Pam Sutton<\/strong>.\u00a0 She has experience in these matters that may help your unique case.\u00a0 <strong><span style=\"color: #7f121d;\">850.785.7272<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Health Care Surrogate\/Living Will<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>With a designation of <strong>health care surrogate<\/strong>, you can choose who will make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself.<\/p>\n<p>A <strong>living will<\/strong> contains instructions about your wishes for treatment if you are found to be in a persistent vegetative state, or are diagnosed with an end-stage or terminal condition illness.<\/p>\n<p>One of the important goals of this process is to give you choices and control, to the extent possible, over what happens to you and to your assets.\u00a0 You need to be aware of the risks as well as the rewards of your estate planning decisions.\u00a0 Call for an appointment at <strong><span style=\"color: #7f121d;\">850.785.7272<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Probate proceedings<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Probate is a court proceeding to administer a person\u2019s estate after death.\u00a0 A probate court will settle the deceased\u2019s debts and formally transfer property ownership to the beneficiaries or heirs.\u00a0 These proceedings can be complicated and take a considerable amount of time.\u00a0 In Florida, there are less complicated (and sometimes less expensive) options available, depending on the situation.\u00a0 You need skilled legal guidance from the beginning of the process.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes, a deceased non-resident owned property in Florida.\u00a0 While that person\u2019s estate would be probated in another state, an <strong>ancillary administration<\/strong> would need to be filed in Florida to transfer title to that property to the non-resident\u2019s beneficiaries.\u00a0 We often work with lawyers in other states and represent clients in ancillary estate proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>Much of our practice is in Bay County.\u00a0 We regularly represent clients in nearby counties of the Florida panhandle, including Washington, Holmes, Jackson, Gulf, Walton, and Calhoun Counties.\u00a0 We also represent clients in probate cases <strong>throughout the state of Florida<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Incompetency proceedings and Guardianships<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>When people become too impaired to be able to care for themselves or to manage their affairs, sometimes it becomes necessary for someone \u2013 usually a family member or close friend \u2013 to step in to take over.\u00a0 A petition for a declaration of incompetency would then be filed with the court.<\/p>\n<p>As part of this proceeding, Florida law requires that an independent examining committee be appointed and also that a court hearing be held.\u00a0 Once a determination of incompetency is made, the court normally will appoint a guardian.<\/p>\n<p>The guardianship procedure is expensive and requires annual reporting to the court.\u00a0 Many guardianships could have been avoided by better lawyer estate planning.\u00a0 However, sometimes pursuing this legal option is unavoidable.<\/p>\n<p>The main goal of bringing a guardianship proceeding is to protect a defenseless person from losing money or suffering from neglect of physical needs.\u00a0 If you find that a loved one is in need of such protection, let us help you with this emotionally challenging process.\u00a0 Call <strong><span style=\"color: #7f121d;\">850.785.7272<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Another type of <strong>guardianship<\/strong> involves managing the assets of minor children.\u00a0 In a number of situations, such as if a minor receives an insurance settlement or inherits money, Florida law may require that a guardianship be created to manage the funds until the child grows up.\u00a0 Because of our experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims, we frequently have been asked to set up such guardianships.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Health Care and Long-term Care<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Older people are faced with some difficult decisions as they approach the later years of their lives.\u00a0 As we age, we all deserve respect and protection.\u00a0 Society does not necessarily provide adequate assistance.\u00a0 With so many of us living longer, legal planning for those years becomes even more important.<\/p>\n<p>These Elder Law issues include:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>Long-term care<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>Medical coverage and health care benefits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>Eligibility for government benefits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-35972167d9f102c5ddaec0c531c98b9e'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Medicare is available to help pay medical bills but does not cover all health care needs and does not provide for long-term care.\u00a0 The time to consider these needs is before they become urgent. To discuss legal options and protections available to the elderly, call Panama City elder law attorney <strong>Pam Sutton<\/strong> at <strong><span style=\"color: #7f121d;\">850.785.7272<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Elder Abuse and Nursing Home Abuse<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>As our population ages and the economy remains uncertain, mistreatment of the elderly has become an increasing problem.\u00a0 Sometimes the mistreatment results from well-meaning caregivers who are not able to provide proper care, sometimes because of deliberate understaffing, poor training, or inadequate supervision in facilities that are cutting corners to make a bigger profit.<\/p>\n<p>Elder abuse can be very hard to identify or prove.\u00a0 Symptoms of abuse may be mistaken for those of illness.\u00a0 Victims may not be able to communicate mistreatment or may be afraid to do so. An elder abuse lawyer may be able to help discover the truth and get justice for your loved one.<\/p>\n<p>At STONE &amp; SUTTON, our overlapping experience in the areas of personal injury and elder law enhance our ability to effectively investigate and pursue cases of abuse for our clients.\u00a0 If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving, please call us to discuss the problem. <strong><span style=\"color: #7f121d;\">850.785.7272<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Need justice?\u00a0 Call Stone &amp; Sutton at <strong><span style=\"color: #7f121d;\">850.785.7272<\/span><\/strong> to speak with a Florida elder law and estate-planning attorney.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":101011,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Panama City Elder Law - Estate Planning Lawyers | Stone &amp; Sutton Law<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Serving the Panama City communities, Stone and Sutton Law lawyers provide elder law and estate planning services for interested parties.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Panama City Elder Law - Estate Planning Lawyers | Stone &amp; Sutton Law\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Serving the Panama City communities, Stone and Sutton Law lawyers provide elder law and estate planning services for interested parties.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2017-11-21T19:01:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/\",\"name\":\"Panama City Elder Law - Estate Planning Lawyers | Stone & Sutton Law\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2014-03-19T01:50:36+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-11-21T19:01:18+00:00\",\"description\":\"Serving the Panama City communities, Stone and Sutton Law lawyers provide elder law and estate planning services for interested parties.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Elder Law &#038; Estates\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/\",\"name\":\"\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Panama City Elder Law - Estate Planning Lawyers | Stone & Sutton Law","description":"Serving the Panama City communities, Stone and Sutton Law lawyers provide elder law and estate planning services for interested parties.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Panama City Elder Law - Estate Planning Lawyers | Stone & Sutton Law","og_description":"Serving the Panama City communities, Stone and Sutton Law lawyers provide elder law and estate planning services for interested parties.","og_url":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/","article_modified_time":"2017-11-21T19:01:18+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"12 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/","url":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/","name":"Panama City Elder Law - Estate Planning Lawyers | Stone & Sutton Law","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2014-03-19T01:50:36+00:00","dateModified":"2017-11-21T19:01:18+00:00","description":"Serving the Panama City communities, Stone and Sutton Law lawyers provide elder law and estate planning services for interested parties.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/elder-law-estates\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Elder Law &#038; Estates"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/","name":"","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101011"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stonesuttonlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}