James F. McCollum, P.L. has practiced "Elder Law" long before the term was invented.

We have advised senior citizens and their families regarding the options they face.  These include the need for Health Care Surrogates, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Trusts, Wills, Probate, Miller Trusts and numerous other options.

Members of the firm are available to speak to civic organizations, community associations and other groups concerning these matters.

When necessary, we will meet with families in an Assisted Living Facility or Hospital.

It would be our pleasure to aid you with any questions or concerns that you may have.  We look forward to working with you soon!

To contact Mr. McCollum, please click the following link.
 jim@jimmccollum.com
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Wills, Trusts, and Probate Information
James F. McCollum, P.L., Highlands County, Sebring, Florida
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This a checklist of documents and information which individuals should assemble and keep current after age 65.

The information should be kept in a place known to children or other professionals such as your attorney.  It is not a particularly good idea to keep it on a computer because it may not be located after death or incompetency.  This information should be safeguarded and provided at least to the individual named as personal representative of the estate.  Note that if the personal representative has an unpaid loan to you, it would be wise to provide a copy to someone who does not have such a conflict of interest to make sure that it gets paid.

I.                    NAMES, ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS OF THE FOLLOWING:
                      a.  Medical providers (physicians, dentists, optometrists, hearing aid
                      suppliers, pharmacists and others)
                      b.  Estate Planning team (lawyer, financial advisor, accountant, insurance
                      agent, real estate agent)
                      c.  Banks
                      d.  Stockbroker
                      e.  Other Attorney
                      f.  Other Insurance Agent

II.                  WILL AND CODICIL (AMENDMENTS TO THE WILL); BETTER YET, A
                     REVOCABLE INTER VIVOS TRUST:
                     a.  Health Care Proxy; Living Will; Durable Power of Attorney
                     b.  Location of Wills, etc.

III.                KEYS OR COMBINATIONS:
                     a.  Safe Deposit Box
                     b.  Post Office Box
                     c.  Automobile
                     d.  House

IV.                 LOCATION OF HIDDEN VALUABLES, INCLUDING CASH

V.                  INSURANCE POLICIES:
                     a.  Life
                     b.  Health
                     c.  Disability
                     d.  Long Term Health Care
                     e.  Mortgagor Loan
                     f.  Homeowners
                     g.  Accident
                     h.  Credit Card
                     i.  Any business related insurance

VI.                IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
                    a.  Social Security Card
                    b.  Medicare and Medicaid Card
                    c.  Birth Certificate
                    d.  Marriage Certificate

VII.              SPARE RENTAL AGREEMENTS OR OTHER BUSINESS CONTRACTS

VIII.             DOCUMENTS RELATING TO ANY REAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING DEED,
                    MORTGAGE, TITLE INSURANCE, INSURANCE

IX.               COMPLETE LIST OF ASSETS INCLUDING
                   a.  Savings, Checking and Money Market Accounts
                   b.  Stocks, Bonds, and other Securities (including the purchase
                   price and date of each purchase)
                   c.  Real Estate; Mortgage; etc.
                   d.  Financial Statement

X.                REAL ESTATE
                   a.  Deeds
                   b.  Mortgage
                   c.  Appraisals
                   d.  Tax Bills

XI.               TITLE TO ALL AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES

XII.              BUSINESS OWNERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS

XIII.             PROFIT SHARING AND PENSIONS PLANS

XIV.             KEOGH ACCOUNTS (IRA Keogh, SEP, etc.)

XV.              LIST OF ALL DEBTS
                   a.  Mortgages
                   b.  Loans
                   c.  Credit Card Debts
                   d.  Outstanding bills and other liabilities

XVI.            LIST OF ROUTINE HOUSEHOLD BILLS
                   a.  Utilities
                   b.  Insurance premiums
                   c.  Car payments

XVII.          COPIES OF STATE AND FEDERAL TAX RETURNS FOR THE PAST 3-5 YEARS

XVIII.         RECEIPTS FROM PROPERTY TAXES AND OTHER LARGE PAYMENTS

XIX.            RECORDS OF PERSONAL LOANS PARTICULARLY WITH FAMILY MEMBERS
                   BUT INCLUDING BUSINESS ASSOCIATES OR OTHERS

XX.              FUNERAL
                   a.  Name of preferred Funeral Home
                   b.  Title to any funeral plots
                   c.  Any preneed information
                   d.  Funeral information

XXI.            LIST OF INDIVIDUALS TO NOTIFY IN CASE OF DEATH (Name, Address,
                   Phone Number)
Checklist for Senior Citizens