Elder E-Letter: September 2018

2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions. Join our team for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease. Together, we can advance research to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s, and provide programs and support to improve the lives of millions of affected Americans.

Date: October 20, 2018
Registration at 7:00am | Ceremony at 9am | Walk at 9:30am
Route Length: 2 miles
Location: Palo Alto College
1400 W. Villaret Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78224

2018 Buddy Walk

The Buddy Walk is an event that celebrates individuals with Down syndrome and increases awareness and inclusion. This one-mile walk is a family event and will include onsite activities such as music, face painting, inflatables, a train, vendor booths, and food trucks. Activities will be from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. The program will begin at 10:00 am and the walk at 10:30 am.

Date: October 20, 2018
Register online
Location: Enter Gate B: River City Community Church,
16765 Lookout Road,
Selma, TX

By, Jody Hudspeth, Paralegal for The Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC
One of the many hats I wear as a paralegal is answering phone calls and emails from concerned loved ones and caregivers. This column, “The Elder Law Askit Basket”, features some of the scenarios we hear on a frequent basis. If you have a question you’d like to see answered here, please email me at: jhudspeth@assistingseniors.com.

My father was single when he died 10 years ago, and he left everything to me in his Will, which I still have in a drawer somewhere. I am a very busy person, and I haven’t had time to deal with his estate. After all these years, my dad’s daughter from another marriage (my half sister) has come out of no where, and she wants to sell the house. She thinks she’s getting half of the proceeds, but she doesn’t know he left me everything. I guess it’s time for me to get a move on things so she’ll leave me alone. Is this something your law firm can help me with?

Your dad’s Will may have left you his estate, but that doesn’t mean it became yours automatically when he died. One must put the Will through probate to transfer the title of assets, such as a house. However, Texas law says an executor has four years from the time of death to probate the Will. Generally, the court will not accept a Will for probate after four years.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you will not be able to use your dad’s Will to settle his estate. You will have to use a different type of probate measure that follows the rules of intestate succession (the legal heirs of an estate without a Will). In short, you’ll be sharing your dad’s estate with your half sister and any other siblings or half siblings you may have.

I know this isn’t the news you were expecting, but I hope you found my answer helpful. If you’d like to discuss your situation further, please contact us to schedule an appointment.

Sep. 3 – The Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC observes Labor Day

Sep. 9 – Carol speaks about basic estate planning at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio

Sep. 25 – Carol presents a speech titled My Wishes, My Desires at the San Antonio OASIS

August 7/14 – Carol led two classes on First Responder Training for approaching people with Alzheimer’s for the Alzheimer’s Association

August 9-10 – Carol attended the Texas NAELA Annual Conference in Galveston, TX.

August 14 – Carol spoke about Who Decides When I Can’t – Guardianship and Powers of Attorney at OASIS

August 23 – Carol spoke about the The Essentials of Caregiving: Legal and Financial Planning for UT Caring for the Caregiver

Sep. 10 — Memory Cafe at Cisneros Senior Center | 9:30am-11:30am

Sep. 13 — The Essentials of Caregiving: Navigating Challenging Behaviors | 2:00-3:30PM

Sep. 17 — Memory Cafe at Bob Ross Senior Center | 9:30am-11:30am

Sep. 20 — Caregiver Skills Training Workshop | 3:30PM-5:30PM

Sep. 27 — The Essentials of Caregiving: Family Dynamics | 2:00-3:30PM

Click here for caregiver resources in Bexar County that are sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association.

The Caring for the Caregiver program of the School of Nursing and the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases work together to support the health and well-being of people with dementia and their family caregivers.

Location: UT Health San Antonio Academic Learning & Teaching Center
3rd Floor, Room 304
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229

Refreshments will be provided. Free parking and admission.

RSVP at utcaregivers.eventbrite.com

Contact Sara Masoud with questions
(210) 450-8487 or masoud@uthscsa.edu

Sep. 11, 2018 – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, a seminar sponsored by Arden Courts

During this seminar, Tam Cummings will discuss:

RSVP by calling (210) 408-9100 or e-mailing SanAntonio@arden-courts.com

We appreciate your feedback. Do you have a book or a topic you’d like to see featured in our newsletter? Please email your suggestions to jhudspeth@assistingseniors.com. All ideas are welcome.