Brundageba

Thanks Doug...we need to make an appointment with Atty Contreras ( today!) and discuss this option......all options actually. We did recently get an apostilled copy of our marriage certificate from Florida so as to obtain a certification of marital status here in Panama, in that our Corporation papers lists us both as single, At the time we formalized our corporation we were told by the woman in the govt office that "this was just how it's done here" ( which we thought at the time was mighty weird...not thinking about Probate or other such thoughts). Anyway...just to be certain Panama sees us as official man and wife we'll obtain certification of marital status from Panama.

Yes. This was discussed in the Tuesday meeting by atty Contreras. The % is the tag on by attorneys who handle the estate through the Probate process. This is an important topic and one many here are not aware of. Even if your home is in a Corporaton, and there is a Will here in Panama, it will go through probate according to atty Contreras. I agree with Penny....it's a legal scam. Only way to avoid Probate is to have your possessions within a Foundation according to this same attorney.

Rules (laws) change and can change to our disadvantage when residing in a foreign country. Conditions can change ( I'm thinking a change from crimes of opportunity to home invasion crimes of a more violent nature happening more often) . When my husband and I decided to retire outside of the USA we studied quite a bit. When we chose Panama, the first thing we did was to engage an attorney for immigration as well as property possession. We applied for residency immediately. One thing that we did decide on that was fairly important for both of us was.....if we had to suddenly pick up and leave Panama ( lets say for good) we would be OK financially if we never saw another cent out of our investment in our home here ( lets say we could not sell or decided to not bother with renting it out). I'm not saying that's the preferred way we would want to exit...but...we could if we had to and be OK with it. Pantah said: The point I am making is Panama is not following their own laws. They are not "playing by the rules" Listen ( I agree with Keith)....Panama can play by the rules they choose and as well change them as they desire. How their rules are applied is as well their option. ( I'm thinking about the informal change of the visa renewal from 90 to 180 days without changing their own law in their own court) Keeping abreast of the changes in laws ( I'm thinking now about the holding of a home in a corporation with anonymous Bearer Shares....well, that changed) is our responsibility. Accepting change as it happens makes your life easier than getting bent out of shape because of it. Heck when we moved here FACTA was not a fact-a....that's change. It is what it is.

Well this situation will probably impact the non-tourist tourists who have dropped anchor but have not made a move towards meeting a permanent residency requirement.

I'd like to rid the geckos from my security system.....but Peacock feathers and egg shells aren't an option. All the security sensors are under the eaves of the house. The little critters love that area....

Ok...good you clarified that Bud, I thought it was you. ( Now I see Hank sign the message) That said, Hank sounds like a great person for the job. Congrats Hank ! Alison

Congratualtions ! Couldn't be happier . Bill and I first fell in love with Latin culture having traveled and lived in a teeny home we purchased in the mountains of Silvia, Cauca, Colombia. We said then...lets live somewhere like this when we're old ! We're old...and we have. Bud...hats off to you for your on-going accomplishments. Bonnie...I graduated FSU !. I never knew your talents and Tallahasee history. Congratulations to both of you. Alison

No...they only reproduce and thrive. 9 years here and we've given up. They run across our motion sensors and ...well, it's disturbing to say the least.

Less wind...more moisture, thank God. I'm optimistic for more green in April

Stay the sweet advanced CL member that you are and continue to help us understand how this blue marble rolls. ( actually I do believe "expert status" is well within your grasp) We appreciate you here.

"Ning has improved since its chaotic transformation after Lee died." Not enough to win my vote..... I'm sorry but this entire issue we are discussing here is very much out of place for a mature, well monitored public information forum. If Mrs Suarez wishes to take this on then she should follow advise given to her by Roger Bellido and do so in private on her own time. Her random remarks condemn this man who deserves the same fairness any of us would wish to have if we were accused of something horrible. She is the Ning monitor, the keeper of the gate . She has allowed the discourse and joined it in an accusatory fashion.

It's pretty heavy duty to accuse someone of pedophilia on a public forum based upon your feeling or hunch that the person is guilty. Olga Suarez has had no affiliation whatsoever with the mission nor knows the individual she is hardily accusing in a common public forum.

Yes. Package should come with instructions. Do-it has them I believe. There's a store close to Super 99 in David you might try. You want to avoid the cheaper models. it's a fairly common item. My husband thinks even Ivans might even have them.

I buy in-line switches and do it myself. Check out the better electrical stores to get the best made ones.

I agree with Keith. The movie " City of God" brought light to the problems surrounding Rio de Janeiro. Change has happened there. It's not a forever horror story as Marko has described there in Medellin. BUT, police, legislators, the public and businessmen of Panama all need to share some responsibility to make that change happen in a country. Many here think just changing a few laws concerning juvenile crime, or increasing the amount of jails is enough. It's not enough. It has to be a totally comprehensive plan. Solid education and opportunity for all children is at the core. For the poor here, education is lacking in Panama. Meanwhile, until this kid crime spree comes to a halt here, we need to have some understanding of how these juvenile gangs evolve and as well their mentality. It is scary and certainly not pleasant that's why Bud couldn't stomach watching the movie. I can fully understand. 24/7 both my husband and I are on our guard. We're not happy with living like that, but for now it is what it is. We do what we can...everything we can within reason.

"City of God" is for sure tough to stomach all the way through. That said, it gives a feel for the mentality of kids with guns who use them without conscience...like the murder and assaults recently around Bugaba, and the ones of recent history: Joe, Marion. These kids with pistols are as dangerous as a keg of dynamite next to a wild fire. Home security is serious business now around here. We hope to never let down our guard...ever... For the young expat families who think this is a place to bring their four young children, educate them and sustain quality of life ..."City of God" needs a look-see. Many new expat young families have been given a bill of goods that this is paradise and a better alternative than raising their children in their home country . They come without fully understanding the entire picture....naive as can be. Now that Ning has lost so much excellent data from respected residents, these families have fewer resources to draw on. International Living and Evangelical missionary come-ons lead them on.

Bud. Same thing happened again with a photo upload. Looks like I need to do one at a time . If I load 3...I can't get all three labeled. Page jams. I label two of the three and the page is stuck. I hit the discard but they loaded anyway (mighty wierd). I then loaded a single all over again. (Please nix the duplicate). From now on I'll load one at a time...label...submit...and then repeat from scratch. Sorry Bud. BTW Antigua Guatemala is quite something to see this Easter week. We've done it twice., Reserve well in advance. Alison

Thanks Bud. Each year a birthday roles around I wonder if this might be the last one for my waveski surfing. The trip last week was my 71st Birthday celebration. Everybody is very nice to me out in the surf...especially those that live there. Some of the tourist surfers on the other hand don't think I belong out there. They see me coming and fear for their lives......for good reason! (smile). The local surfers?..they always cheer me on and that makes for a really special 71st Birthday for me ! I feel totally blessed. s.

I uploaded two photos. I wrote the description on both . Only one description took and it jammed on that page. I started again. Apparently all the photos loaded. Now there's a duplicate. Could you erase that duplicate?...I can't. Alison The duplicate pic I need removed is below.