Blogs for the Probate Practitioner

Slowly but surely, we're compiling a link list (there, on the right side of the screen) of web sites that are helpful to those involved in Bexar County Probate Court issues. The sites range from eminent domain to elder law, and have information helpful to the lawyer and non-lawyer alike.

Blogs are not included in this link list. However, more and more blogs (or sometimes, "blawgs") are popping up here in Texas -- recently, the Texas State Bar began providing a blog directory on its site. The Bar's Blog Directory covers a variety of legal specialties: there are blogs for family law practioners, tax lawyers, and personal injury attorneys, among others.

The Bar's directory is new and growing -- but as of today, there were no probate-specific blogs listed. We did find a few ....

First, we found Texas Estate Planning Blog provided by Ford & Mathiason, a law firm with offices in both Houston and Dallas. This blog began in February 2007 and looks promising.

There was Gary M. Howell's Texas Estate Planning and Probate Law Blog which has some good information -- but the blog died in November 2005, when attorney Howell took a spot with Merrill Lynch to work with high net worth clients (according to his farewell post).

And, we don't understand why Prof. Gerry Beyer's Blog hasn't made it to the Bar Directory yet. It's a great resource, updated often, and a real find for probate practioners everywhere.

As for law blogs that are not probate-specific, there are several that you may find worth your time:

Jerry Buchmeyer has been blogging since 2003, posting on the same humorous topics as his beloved Texas Bar Journal column. It's not probate-specific, but what the heck. It's funny.

Houston attorney Tom Kirkendall has posted to Houston's Clear Thinkers for awhile now. It's got lots of legal thought, plus a variety of entertaining issues. Especially if you like baseball.

Practical Lawyering is a blog written by Chicago attorney who has left a big government job to open a solo practice specializing in estate planning. So far, he hasn't revealed his name. Wonder why....

At the end of April 2007, the San Antonio Express News began a blog, SA Hearsay, where reporters Elizabeth Allen, Guillermo Contreras, and Maro Robbins post regularly. The blog promises to provide "[l]egal tidbits from Bexar County's courthouses and beyond."

While this blog is not probate-specific, Ms. Allen has been posting regularly on the BK Johnson trial, which is currently being heard in our sister court, Probate Court One, with Polly Jackson Spencer as presiding judge. FYI, closing arguments begin Monday.

Other law blogs you might find interesting:

The Wall Street Journal's Law Blog
The Supreme Court of the United States Blog
Yale Law Journal Blog - The Pocket Part
Ernie the Attorney

10 Tips When Visiting the Courthouse

For some, the nearest that they get to the Bexar County Courthouse is driving past it after they've taken a wrong turn getting to Market Square or San Fernando Cathedral. There will be a time for most County residents, however, when they'll need to come to the Courthouse: marriage licenses; deed records; probate files; and jury duty are all reasons to visit.

Here's some helpful tips for Courthouse visitors:

1. Parking
Parking can be troublesome and expensive. The lots closest to the Courthouse (and the Justice Center next door) cost more than those farther away. They fill up quickly, too. Expect to pay as much as $12 for parking.

If you are willing to walk, try the lots near Durango and save yourself a couple of bucks. Park and Ride is a great option: you'll be dropped right by the Courthouse steps.

2. Timing Your Visit
If you don't have to be here in the morning, then plan your visit for the afternoon. Dockets are called in the morning: hearings are begun in the various courtrooms and documents are filed with the various clerks' offices. By the afternoon, a lot of this business has concluded. You'll face better parking and less lines if you visit in the afternoon.

You'll fare even better in the latter part of the week. Trials begin on Monday. By that Thursday or Friday, some of those matters will have resolved themselves.

Always sidestep entering via the south entrance of the Courthouse on the first Tuesday of the month because the steps are crowded with folk involved with the foreclosure auctions. It's packed. Try the basement entrance, or the northside doors facing Main Plaza.

3. Avoiding the Stairs
If you want to enter the Courthouse without taking the stairs, you can. Go to the southwest corner of the Courthouse grounds, and follow the ramps down into the basement parking area and Courthouse entrance. Ask a guard at the door for directions to your particular destination.

4. Mailing a Letter
Three elevators make up the main elevator bank, located in the central corridor of each floor except the fifth. Next to the bank is an ornate metal mailbox, built into the wall. It's very old. It still works.

5. Grabbing a Meal or Snack
Go to the basement. Take the tunnel, just south of the elevators, to the Justice Center. There will be an entrance on your right to a small cafeteria, where you can grab a snack or have a hot meal. They've got vending machines, too.

6. Grab a Smoke
There is a smoking area across from the cafeteria (see above).

7. Find A Notary Public
If you need the services of a notary public, then you can find one via the Information Center. The notaries are independent from Bexar County; however, one should be available at the Courthouse during normal business hours to help you.

8. Asking Questions
An Information Center is located on the first floor. Call for questions at (210) 335-2011.

9. Online Map with Directions
At GoogleMaps, you can find a map with driving directions to the Courthouse. There may be street closures due to construction -- like the Main Plaza Redevelopment Project -- so be prepared for detours and alternate routes.

10. Call First!
Most callers to Bexar County Information (335-2011) ask for information regarding a pending case. These people can avoid a trip to the courthouse by having the case number in hand, and calling (210) 335-2231 for civil cases and (210) 335-2238 for criminal matters. (For criminal cases, the SID number is helpful, too.)

Additionally, frequently requested documents can be requested online or by mail. These include birth certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce records. For more information (including fees) check out the City of San Antonio FAQ site which also provides information on how to gather documents from other locations (including the Metropolitan Health District and the Texas Department of Public Safety).

CareGiver Support: Caring for the Elderly

1. CAPS (Children of Aging Parents)

For full information, check out their national website. This organization hosts local support groups, providing information and support for children caring for elderly parents.

There are several meeting choices. For the location nearest you call 684-7080, ask for Jim Vaughn, email him at caps4sa@yahoo.com, or just attend a meeting. Current groups are meeting:

11:30 a.m.
first Thursdays of the month
Incarnate Word Retirement Center, 4707 Broadway
For more information, call facilitator Jill Trevino at 829-7661.

6:15 p.m.
first Thursdays of the month
Jewish Community Center/Family & Children's Services, 12500 Northwest Military Drive
For more infomation, call facilitator Jim Vaughn at 684-7080.

6:15 p.m.
second Wednesdays of the month
call for street location, Helotes.
For more information, call facilitator Carol Deel at 647-0336.



2. Alzheimer's or Dementia Caregivers Support
This is a local support group focusing upon the special needs of those caring for loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's Disease or various forms of dementia. This group meets:

11:30 a.m.
first Wednesdays of the month
Homewood Residence, 1207 Jackson Keller, Bldg. 2.
For more information, call Janice Brake 375-8132 or email her at jbrake@arclp.com.


[Information correct as of June 18, 2007.]

June 2007: This Blog's Bloggers

After lying dormant for awhile now, it's time for a change.

This blog is returning to the web with regular weekly posting. The subject matter of the posts will continue to be information helpful to the probate community - including not only Bexar County probate practioners, but all those who have an interest in the matters coming before the probate courts.

However, posting responsiblities have changed. Assisting the Judge in this regular posting chore will be Court Staff, occasionally, and lawyer and professional writer/blogger Reba Kennedy (www.rebakennedy.com) who is providing her writing services gratis, as a community service.

Post contributions from the probate community are always welcome, of course. Please feel free to submit your contributions to the Judge at anytime.

Not Forgotten Coalition

MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the Not Forgotten Coalition is to enhance the quality of seniors’ lives through education and advocacy.
VISION:
A more educated senior and caregiver population that’s prepared for all that comes their way—both the good and the trying
GOALS:
· To educate the seniors, caregivers, adults with disabilities, and the community about issues affecting seniors and adults with disabilities
· To advocate for the needs of seniors and adults with disabilities
· To provide for seniors’ and disabled adults’ needs by maintaining an emergency resource room for APS clients and through the Adopt-A-Caseworker program
WHAT IS THE NOT FORGOTTEN COALITION?
The Not Forgotten Coalition is a group of concerned people from agencies, businesses, and groups dedicated to senior citizens and adults with disabilities. This is a partnership with Adult Protective Services (APS).
WHO IS ABUSED, NEGLECTED, AND EXPLOITED?
Abuse, neglect, and exploitation occurs to elderly men and women of all income levels, all cultural and ethnic groups, to those in good health and those incapacitated in some way, in poor neighborhoods and in suburbia. More than 8,700 elderly and disabled in this area were reported to APS as victims of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation in 2005, resulting in more than 4,400 confirmed as victims. We know that all too many victims are never reported to APS.
WHO ABUSES, NEGLECTS, AND EXPLOITS THE ELDERLY?
Abuse, neglect, and exploitation is perpetrated on the elderly by their adult children, spouses, grandchildren, other relatives, siblings, service providers, acquaintances, and strangers. Self-neglect also occurs.
WHAT KIND OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OCCURS?
The elderly are victims of
· Neglect – Physical, medical, and self-neglect
· Abuse – Physical abuse, including beatings, bruises, cuts, burns, confinement; emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse
· Exploitation – Illegal or improper use of the elderly’s resources for personal benefit without informed consent

For information, call Patricia Scrivano at 210 337-3297. To report abuse, neglect, and exploitation, call 1-800-252-5400.

Elder Law

The Elder Law Section of the San Antonio Bar Association
Invites you to a free forum:

AGING GRACEFULLY: Alternatives for Maintaining Independence

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Norris Conference Center • 4522 Fredericksburg Rd.
At Crossroads Mall • Next to Super Target

Free box lunch provided to first 100 persons who register by April 24, 2006

Topics Include: Understanding physical and mental changes • Discovering available community resources • Using legal alternatives to direct your medical and financial future
• Understanding the basics of Medicare/Medicaid.

*Attorneys and resource provider organizations will be present to answer questions.


For information or registration, call (210) 283 - 6672 • Seating is limited.

Elder Law

Meeting/CLE Notice: The Elder Law Section of the San Antonio Bar Association will be holding a lunch time CLE program. The speaker is David P. Stanush, Attorney with Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & Tate, who will speak on "Dangerous Clauses in Estate Planning Documents."
CLE Hours: CLE .75 hours (no ethics)
Audience: Attorneys, Judges, and interested non-attorneys.
Time: Noon, Friday, May 12, 2006
Place: Conference Room, 2nd floor of 111 Soledad, San Antonio, TX 78205 (opposite old Solo Serve and Mexican Manhattan; one block north of Bexar County Courthouse)
Food: Catered sandwiches, chips, and drinks
Charge: $10
PLEASE make reservations by calling in your name, telephone number, and number who will attend from your office to Cheryl McMullan's voice mail 212-4076 on or before noon on Tuesday May 9th Thank you

How This Works & How To Contribute

Periodically, short articles will be posted to this site - written by invited authors. Their byline, together with a short bio and photo (if they choose to provide one), will be included.

Topics will vary, and the articles may involve linking the reader to other information found on other sites. There's a lot of info out there.

If you would like to comment, suggest, or contribute, then please contact me at (210) 335-2546. However, I cannot address any communications dealing with specific cases, pending or past, as well as any questions requesting legal advice.

-- Judge Tom Rickhoff

The Professionals of Probate Court Two

The outstanding feature of this office is each and every individual who works as a part of this courtroom team. I hope to see their own contributions to this site at some point.

I simply have the best personnel of any court in the state, and I'm proud to claim it. Intuition, good fortune, somehow I stumbled upon a great group of people - I'm daily thankful they're here. And, from all the feedback I receive, everyone shares my appreciation.

In the photo are: (top row) Martin ("Marty") Collins, staff attorney; Herb Schaefer, administrative assistant; me; Eddie Maldonado, bailiff; (bottom row) Eleanor ("Elie") Castillo, assistant court auditor; Liz McDevitt, court auditor; Rebecca Gonzalez, court clerk; Sue Bean, court investigator; Veronica Bowles, court reporter.

To reach these folk, or to learn about our court procedures, please refer to the information provided at the Bexar County website.

- Judge Tom Rickhoff

This Blog's Purpose

This blog has been created and will be maintained as interactive support for those professionals dealing with the wide variety of issues facing our Bexar County Probate Court.

Invited contributors will include not only attorneys appearing in our court, but others who are critically involved in the sensitive issues we must address.

Health care professionals, agency workers, and representatives of various charitable organizations all have important information to share.

As a statutory probate court, the court over which I preside has original and exclusive jurisdiction (together with Probate Court No. One) over this county's probate matters, guardianships, and mental health commitments. Eminent domain controversies are also heard here.

Some of the most emotional and life-altering decisions, therefore, are addressed in these first floor courtrooms. Because our work is so important, sensitive, and specialized, I would like us to share the educational material we feel is most significant. As an example, attorney Kelly Cross provided research about the syndrome associated with hoarders so I could understand the Adult Protective Services case we were hearing, or there may be research about the value of an oak tree in a condemnation case that would be helpful to the commissioners.

- Judge Tom Rickhoff