Elder E-Letter: February 2025

BERTSCH & BOZE ELDER LAW, PC

Need assistance with Estate planning, probating a Will, Long-Term Care planning to assist you with protecting your assets so your loved one can qualify for Medicaid, or do you need a Trust for your family? The team at Bertsch & Boze Elder Law, PC can assist you. Just call us today at (210) 892-4555 or visit us at www.assistingseniors.com

As I have been helping the community better understand our firm's services, one common hesitation people have is not knowing what to ask for. Our colleague and longtime senior paralegal, Jody Hudspeth and I created this document below to help you, the consumer feel better in asking and using the correct terminology for your needs. Look below. You may learn something new. We hope you find this is helpful too.

Helen Flores--Director of Operations



When to Seek Help from an Elder Law Attorney

1. Long-Term Care Planning for a Chronic, Progressive Illness

🔹 An elder law attorney can help preserve wealth for your family.

2. No Long-Term Care Insurance & Dementia Diagnosis

🔹 We assist with Medicaid eligibility planning to help preserve assets for a spouse or family.

3. Outdated or Inadequate Powers of Attorney

🔹 Our powers of attorney include gifting language to help preserve assets, qualify a spouse for Medicaid, and potentially avoid probate.

4. Planning for a Loved One with a Disability

🔹 A Supplemental Needs Trust ensures your child or grandchild keeps their public benefits when receiving an inheritance.

5. No Lady Bird Deed in Place

🔹 We can prepare a Lady Bird Deed to protect your home from the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) and avoid probate.

6. Navigating the Loss of a Loved One

🔹 We guide you through the most efficient and cost-effective probate process—if probate is required.

Did You Know?

DID YOU KNOW? – Everyone talks about trying to avoid probate (the court procedure for passing on a deceased person’s assets and paying their debts), but Texas makes the process fairly simple if you have a well-drafted Will. In fact, you can complete the entire process without even having to go to the courthouse – Bexar County allows uncontested probate hearings to take place via Zoom videoconference – and a qualified attorney can guide you through the process with a minimum of stress and headache. If you are intent on avoiding probate altogether, you need to make sure that you have a well-crafted estate plan and that you follow that plan to a “T.” Give us a call to help make the process as smooth as possible for your loved ones!

--Brennen Boze

WHAT A GREAT PARTY IT WAS AT OUR

OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION!

We had a great time visiting with clients, caregivers in the community and our own team to celebrate Brennen Boze joining the firm as a partner! The Open House party was held at Bertsch & Boze Elder Law, PC at 8703 Broadway. Thanks to all who showed up to celebrate with us, we are so thankful for our clients, friends, neighbors and all those who joined us in celebrating our great team here at Bertsch & Boze Elder Law, PC.

Jill Piazzi, Chickie Backhaus of Texas Senior Services and Ellen Pfeiffer of First Light Home Care.

Toni O'Brien, mediator, Brennen Boze and Dr. Roxanna Delgado from UT Caring for the Caregiver.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

The Arc of San Antonio has been around for 70 years and really helps the community by developing programs and partnerships that address the most critical issues facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They offer great Family Support Services, Community Services Case Management, and Community Living Assistance & Support Services. If you're not sure which program is best for you, just call them at (210) 490-4300 or visit their web site here:

Home - The Arc of San Antonio

Coming up!

Catch our Attorneys at these events during the month of February:

On Tuesday, February 4, attorney Autumn Puckett will be giving a presentation titled, “Medicaid 101” at Brookdale Camino Real, 4415 Rio D'Oro St, San Antonio, Texas 78233. This presentation begins at 4:00 pm and will cover important information if your loved one needs Medicaid assistance for long-term nursing home care.

On February 6 & 7 Carol will be attending the UT School of Law Special Needs Trust conference in Austin, Texas.

On Tuesday, February 11, Brennen Boze will be presenting “The Thankless Job of Serving as an Executor” for OASIS from 10:00am to 11:30am.

On Wednesday, February 12, Brennen Boze will be volunteering at San Antonio Legal Services Association’s (SALSA) walk-in legal clinic at the Multi-Assistance Center at Morgan’s Wonderland. This event is limited based on income – if you’d like to see if you qualify, please reach out to SALSA at 210-678-8100.

Attorney Autumn Puckett, Attorney Carol

Bertsch, Attorney Brennen Boze

On Friday, February 14, Brennen will be presenting “Medicaid Update 2025” for the Gainwell Counseling Breakfast Group. The presentation will take place via Zoom.

On Wednesday, February 12, at 1:00 pm Autumn will speak at the NEISD Community Education Center at 8750 Tesoro Dr, San Antonio, Texas 78217 for the Academy of Learning in Retirement (ALIR). This presentation will highlight the basics of estate planning and why it’s beneficial to take care of these documents sooner than later.

On Tuesday February 25 at 6:00pm Attorney Autumn Puckett will be presenting "Tips and Tricks of Probate" at Shavano Park Assisted Living.

On Wednesday February 26 at 10:00am, Dr. Thomas Weiss will be at the Army Residence Community located at 4700 Crestway, to talk about isolation and the mental health crisis; the modern epidemic.

Our Menu of Services:

***Call us today to schedule an appointment at 210-892-4555

Please visit our YouTube page: Bertsch & Boze Elder Law, PC - YouTube