Novel setting

Dear Ms. Price, I am a 50-year-old woman who recently relocated to St. Petersburg from Pittsburgh, PA, where I was born and raised. Moving here was my lifelong dream. As much as I love my new home, I am feeling the loss of my old friends. Don’t get me wrong, the people here are super friendly, and I am trying to get out and socialize. I just haven’t settled into a groove and feel like something is missing in my life. Should I worry that I have no close friends? -Flying Solo Dear “Flying,” Congratulations on your move, and welcome to St. Petersburg. You’re entering an exciting phase of life, and part of that new chapter is the adventure of making new friends. You mentioned that you recently moved, so I assume it’s been less than a year. I would encourage you to be patient with yourself and the process. You mentioned that you are getting out there and meeting people, which is fantastic. You’re doing all the right things to build new friendships. Keep in mind that it is more challenging to forge close friendships as we age. As long as you’re putting in the effort, involving yourself in projects that bring you joy which will put you in the orbit of new, like-minded friends, you’re taking all the proper steps. I hope you’re keeping in touch with your precious friends from your past, as this will help to anchor you as you move forward in your new adventure. Best wishes to you! -Ms. Price

A Slice of Advicewith Ms. Price

To submit your questions, email advicemsprice@gmail.com.

Dear Ms. Price, I am a single woman, 46 years old, and I have been working at the same business (a local bank) for over 10 years. I’m not currently in a romantic relationship, and it’s not something that is a priority for me. Lately, my coworkers have started to ask me about my dating and love life, insinuating that my time is up and I should be getting serious about settling down. How should I answer these nosy busybodies? -MYOBeeswax in Clearwater

Dear “Beeswax”

How rude! Nosy busybodies are certainly irritating. My best advice is to stay professional and positive but keep your boundaries firm. Just because someone asks a question does not obligate you to answer. A brief response, “I don’t discuss my personal life at work, but thank you for your interest,” should suffice. When asked about her love life, Cameron Diaz replied, “I’m in love with life.” -Ms. Price

ONCE WAYWARD BABY BOOMERS FIND REDEMPTION THROUGH EXPUNGEMENT

by William R. Mumbauer - Attorney - www.flwillstrustsprobate.com

Baby Boomers now in their 50’s and 60’s and beyond may be unpleasantly surprised to learn that their “youthful indiscretions” may follow them even into their golden years. Baby Boomers hoping to downsize are sometimes shocked to find that they have been denied an apartment lease because of that unfortunate drug possession arrest from their college partying days forty years earlier. Or perhaps they are denied that parttime cashier’s job at the corner hardware store desperately needed to supplement meager retirement savings because of that long forgotten shoplifting charge incurred as a teenager. A criminal record can even result in higher auto insurance premiums and higher interest payments on consumer loans, often without the person even knowing they are being singled out to pay more. Despite the fact that one’s criminal record may be very old and even if the charges were dropped or a formal adjudication of guilt withheld, the criminal charge remains a public record for one’s lifetime. In part due to the present economy, landlords, employers, insurance companies, credit card companies and banks, to name a few, are ferreting out and scrutinizing unflattering public information now more than ever. But there may be hope for those whose criminal history is now causing problems or for those who, because they are entering a more mature stage in life, simply desire that their slate finally be wiped clean. Florida law permits an individual who meets certain statutory criteria to petition the Court to have his or her criminal record expunged. Expungement means that the criminal record is physically destroyed. Sometimes, an individual may not qualify for an expungement but may still qualify to have his or her criminal record “sealed”. Sealing means the criminal record remains physically intact, but it is sealed from public view. The sealed criminal record can only be made public again through an extraordinary Court Order finding a “compelling public need” to reopen the criminal record to public view. With very specific exceptions, an individual who has successfully had his criminal record expunged or sealed is entitled to legally deny that the criminal charges ever existed. If you are experiencing repercussions or are just embarrassed because of a single mistake made many years ago, it makes sense to discuss your particular situation with an attorney knowledgeable in this area of the law. If you do qualify to have your criminal record expunged or sealed, your attendance at the court hearing is usually not required.

Mr. Mumbauer, a 5th generation Floridian, has maintained a law practice in Brandon, Florida since 1980 with emphasis on estate planning. Mr. Mumbauer takes special pride in representing the senior community by maintaining a sensitive and practical approach to problem solving. Mr. Mumbauer is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar. Mr. Mumbauer is also a Mentor in probate law and has been qualified by the Second District Court of Appeal in Florida as an expert witness in matters involving the drafting of Wills. Mr. Mumbauer’s Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating among judges and lawyers for Legal Ability is High to Very High and his General Recommendation Rating is Very High. His articles are based on general principles of law and are not intended to apply to individual circumstances.