FDA Fast-Tracked New Alzheimer’s Treatment to Mixed Reviews

Alzheimer’s is a debilitating brain disorder affecting memory and, eventually, language, reasoning, and social behavior. Diagnosed in nearly 6.2 million Americans, Alzheimer’s is a progressive, irreversible disease with treatments mainly focusing on symptoms, such as delaying memory loss, and not the underlying cause—that is, until now. In June of 2021—just in time for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month—the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) … Read More

Do It, Teach It, Lead It: National Healthcare Decisions Day 2021

photograph of author Jennifer O'Brien

Guest Blog By Jennifer O’Brien Photo by Lori Sparkman Originally published April 16, 2021 About a thousand years ago, I was the administrator for an otolaryngology department. The department put on a CME course on endoscopic sinus surgery, that attracted everyone from PGY1s to seasoned, community surgeons because it included a cadaver head lab and numerous didactic sessions, culminating with a … Read More

COVID-19 Virus Concerns for a Law Practice

legal needs new mexico

The legal needs of New Mexicans did not go away when COVID-19 came calling and disrupted everyone’s lives. In fact, the virus made legal issues more urgent, particularly for individuals who needed an estate plan or Powers of Attorney. Many of our clients are older adults, one of the most at-risk groups for the virus. Rather than delay addressing their … Read More

PBWS Law Recognized as a “Best Place to Work” for 2020

Pregenzer, Baysinger, Wideman & Sale, PC is pleased to announce that they have been named one of 31 finalists in “Best Places to Work 2020” in New Mexico by Albuquerque Business First.  As a finalist, PBWS Law is recognized for providing a comfortable job atmosphere for its staff and employees and going above and beyond to provide benefits and job … Read More

How to Make Life More Enjoyable Through Prolonged Quarantine

Older woman checking phone at home while ironing

As quarantine for COVID-19 continues, many people are wondering how much longer they can stand it. But there are ways that seniors, caregivers, and parents can help make the stay-at-home orders bearable for those that still need to stay home. Excitement as States Reopen The Governor of New Mexico recently announced that the state was lifting some restrictions that had … Read More

Erin Wideman, PBWS Managing Partner, in Albuquerque Journal Regarding Wills

Many individuals are seeking to update their existing wills or start their estate plans due to the uncertainties around COVID-19. Erin Wideman, Managing Partner at Pregenzer, Baysinger, Wideman & Sale, spoke with The Albuquerque Journal about why the pandemic is driving people to update their documents, and the legal process involved. Read the story

Webinar: Special Needs Planning 2020 Update

On May 7, 2020, the attorneys of PBWS presented an update on Special Needs Planning, with a focus on: The ABLE Act IEPs special education Medicaid/Medicare the SECURE Act family law If you missed the Webinar, you can access it here. You will need to register with your name and email address and use password 9U#A2t55. If you would like … Read More

How Divorce Can Affect Your Finances Later in Life

Older man and woman sitting on a bench by the beach

Divorce is generally a tumultuous time, no matter when it occurs. Financial issues are a common cause of strain during the divorce process, from how resources will be divided to alimony or childcare payments and which assets are included in the calculations. But you may be surprised to learn that those who divorce after the age of 50 are in … Read More

Pregenzer, Baysinger, Wideman & Sale, PC Announce Two New Attorneys

Wesley L. Enns and Jensen N. Wallace Join the Team September 3, 2019 ALBUQUERQUE — August 27, 2019 — The attorneys at Pregenzer, Baysinger, Wideman & Sale, PC (PBWS Law), a woman-owned law firm specializing in estate planning, probate, special needs planning, family law, guardianships and conservatorships, and fiduciary litigation are pleased to announce Wesley L. Enns and Jensen N. … Read More

PBWS Tenth Anniversary

Pregenzer Baysinger Wideman & Sale is approaching an exciting milestone—our tenth anniversary!  Our firm opened for business on August 4, 2008.  You may remember 2008, the year that the U.S. economy almost collapsed.  In September of that year, when our firm was operating out of a small office in the basement of our building, using camp chairs and boxes for … Read More

Special Needs Trust Fairness Act (SNTFA)

The Special Needs Trust Fairness Act (SNTFA) was signed into law by President Obama, after being approved by the House and Senate, in 2016. While Special Needs Trusts have been since the Omnibus Reconciliation Act was passed in 1993, there was an oversight when the Act was drafted. Before the SNTFA was signed into law, individuals with disabilities who had … Read More

The Alzheimer’s Association Report – Increasing Costs and Impact

The Alzheimer’s Association released a report on March 7, 2017 with updated statistics related to the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s dementia and the growing cost and impact of the disease on families and the economy.  Some startling findings: Unless a cure or improved treatments are discovered, the number of people age 65 or older with Alzheimer’s dementia may nearly … Read More

ABLE Act for New Mexico

In December, 2014, Congress passed the Stephen Beck, Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (“ABLE”). The federal law amends Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code as a new Section 529A. Only people whose disability was established prior to age 26 can open an ABLE account. Anyone can contribute to an ABLE account, but the total of all contributions … Read More

Happy Autumn. Happy Thanksgiving.

Leaves are turning color and falling, turkeys are on sale and our thoughts turn to thankfulness. In addition to the most obvious blessings of family, health, life, and friends, I am thankful for my law practice and for my clients. In an elder law practice, we meet people every day who live with incredible challenges, whether it be dementia, a … Read More

Aid in Dying in New Mexico

No, New Mexico does not allow physician Aid in Dying…yet. This is a controversial and extremely polarized subject. Where some consider physician Aid in Dying to be assisted suicide, others look at it as opportunity to die with dignity. Oregon was the pioneer in Aid in Dying legislation, adopting the Death With Dignity Act in 1997. Since then, Aid in … Read More

The Right of Same-Sex Marriage

The United States Supreme Court Upholds the Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, authored by Justice Kennedy, upheld the right to marry as a fundamental right in the U. S. Constitution, no matter the genders of the two who wish to marry.  There were several appellants in … Read More

NAPA Becomes Law

On January 4, 2011, The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (“NAPA”) was enacted by Congress.  This Act creates an integrated national plan to overcome Alzheimer’s, which includes providing information and coordination of research across all Federal agencies aimed at improving the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and to coordinate the care and treatment of patients who have Alzheimer’s. According to the … Read More

Ho Hum. Oh! Ho Ho Ho

The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, also known as the Tax Relief Act of 2010, was signed by the President on December 17, 2010.   For those of us interested in estate and gift taxes, we learned right away that this Act provides significant estate and gift tax relief by increasing the federal applicable exemption … Read More

PBWS Goes On The Road

Last week the annual Southern New Mexico Estate Planning Institute was held.  This is the 18th year of this institute, and it continues to be very high level and the best two day program addressing the issues of estate planning that is held in New Mexico.  It attracts lawyers, accountants, trust officers, development professionals and financial planners mostly from the … Read More

Restaurant Review

Ordinarily we would not do a blog about restaurants that we like, but this is not an ordinary restaurant.  We had lunch on Friday at Tim’s Place.  You may have read about this eatery in the local newspaper, because it opened just recently.  It was recommended to me by a friend in California.  Really!  From California.  He had heard about … Read More

Legislative Risk

No federal estate tax in 2010.  No step up in basis in 2010 (except for $1.3 million).  Will the Bush tax cuts expire?  No more two year GRATs?  What will happen in 2011?  Uncertainty.  Like we do not have enough of it! Are there opportunities for planning in all of this uncertainty?  Here are a few: If you have an … Read More