Introduction
Holding two separate board certifications from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, one in labor and employment law and one in family law, Russell Amsberry occupies a rare position in the Texas legal market. The Amsberry Law Firm, based in San Antonio with offices for both general family law matters and elder law services, has served clients since 1995: three decades of active practice across areas of law that directly affect families at every stage of life.
The firm is multi-generational in both its clientele and its perspective. From divorce and child custody matters to estate planning, Medicaid navigation, and nursing home abuse claims, the Amsberry Law Firm addresses the legal needs that arise across a family’s lifetime. Attorney Amsberry’s service as a reservist assistant Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Army adds a dimension that is particularly relevant for military families facing divorce or other legal matters governed by military-specific rules.
Practice Areas
Family Law
Divorce and Property Division
Texas community property law governs the division of marital assets and debts in divorce proceedings. Property division disputes require careful identification of what is community property and what is separate, followed by an analysis of how a court would value and divide each category. Attorney Amsberry’s board certification in family law signals that his expertise in this area has been independently verified.
Child Custody and Visitation
Custody arrangements in Texas address both conservatorship (legal decision-making authority) and possession and access (physical time with the child). Courts apply a best-interest-of-the-child standard, which takes into account a range of factors specific to each family’s situation. The firm represents clients in both initial custody determinations and contested modifications.
Paternity
Establishing paternity has legal consequences for child support, inheritance, and a child’s access to a parent’s benefits and medical history. The firm handles paternity actions for parents seeking to establish or contest a legal parent-child relationship.
Child Support and Alimony
Texas child support guidelines tie the amount owed to the obligor’s net resources, but deviations are possible depending on the circumstances. Spousal maintenance in Texas is available under specific statutory conditions. The firm assists clients in both pursuing and defending support claims.
Domestic Violence
Protective orders are a critical legal tool in situations involving family violence. The firm handles emergency and final protective order proceedings for clients who need protection, as well as representation for clients who need to respond to protective order requests.
Adoption
Adoption proceedings establish a legal parent-child relationship where none existed before or replaces an existing one. The legal requirements vary depending on the type of adoption, and the firm guides clients through those requirements from petition to finalization.
Post-Divorce Modification
Court orders do not always remain appropriate as circumstances change. The firm represents clients seeking modifications to custody arrangements, child support orders, and other post-divorce provisions when a material and substantial change in circumstances has occurred.
Military Family Law
Attorney Amsberry’s background as a reservist assistant Judge Advocate General gives the firm specialized knowledge in the intersection of military service and family law. Division of military retirement benefits, deployment considerations in custody arrangements, and other issues specific to service members and their families require a practitioner who understands the governing federal statutes and military regulations, not just Texas family law.
Elder Law
Estate and Retirement Planning
The firm’s elder law practice, located at 8610 Broadway, Suite 440, San Antonio, addresses the legal needs of older adults and those planning for their own future care. Estate planning encompasses wills, trusts, and durable powers of attorney, as well as medical care directives that specify healthcare preferences when a person is unable to communicate them directly.
Medicaid and Long-Term Care
Qualifying for Medicaid benefits while preserving assets for a surviving spouse or heirs is one of the most complex planning challenges in elder law. The firm assists clients in structuring their assets in compliance with Medicaid rules to protect wealth while still qualifying for benefits that can cover the substantial cost of nursing home and long-term care.
Grandparents’ Rights
Texas law provides specific grounds under which grandparents may seek court-ordered access to or custody of a grandchild. These cases require an understanding of the statutory framework and how Texas courts have applied it.
Guardianship
When an adult becomes incapacitated, a guardianship proceeding establishes legal authority to make decisions on their behalf. The firm is familiar with the Texas Health and Human Services rules that govern guardianship, which adds a regulatory dimension to these proceedings beyond the standard court process.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Abuse in nursing facilities takes several forms: pressure ulcers from inadequate repositioning, malnutrition, medication errors, and physical abuse. The firm pursues claims on behalf of residents and their families when facilities fail to meet their duty of care.
Financial Fraud and Medical Malpractice
Financial exploitation of older adults is a recognized and serious problem. The firm handles claims arising from financial fraud targeting elderly clients, as well as medical malpractice claims when healthcare providers cause harm.
Attorney Profile
Russell Amsberry
Attorney Amsberry holds two separate board certifications from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization: one in labor and employment law and one in family law. Board certification in any area requires demonstrated competence, peer evaluation, and ongoing continuing legal education. Holding certifications in two distinct areas is uncommon and reflects the breadth of his verified expertise.
His service as a reservist assistant Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Army provides a foundation of knowledge in military law that is directly applicable to family law cases involving service members. He has been serving clients since 1995, building a practice that now encompasses both family law and a dedicated elder law office in San Antonio.
Location and Service Area
Primary Office:
24165 IH 10 West, Ste. 217, #230
San Antonio, TX 78257
Elder Law Office:
8610 Broadway, Suite 440
San Antonio, Texas
Phone: (210) 354-2244
Website: https://amsberrylaw.com
The firm serves clients in San Antonio and the surrounding Texas communities.
Client Focus
The Amsberry Law Firm’s multi-generational approach reflects the reality that legal needs do not stop at one life stage. A client who came to the firm for a divorce matter may return years later with estate planning or elder law needs, or may refer aging parents who need guidance on Medicaid planning and nursing home rights. The firm’s dual focus on family law and elder law makes it a resource across that spectrum.
Attorney Amsberry’s military background is a specific differentiator for clients who are active duty service members, veterans, or military retirees. The intersection of military regulations with Texas family law and estate planning requires specialized knowledge that many general family law practitioners do not possess.
Each client receives individualized attention. The firm’s approach is not to process matters efficiently in volume but to understand each client’s specific situation and craft a legal strategy that fits it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that Attorney Amsberry holds two separate board certifications?
Texas Board of Legal Specialization certification in a given area requires the attorney to handle a minimum number of cases of that type, pass a written examination, demonstrate ongoing continuing education in the field, and receive peer recommendations. Russell Amsberry has completed that process twice: once for labor and employment law and once for family law. The two certifications are independent credentials, each requiring its own qualifications. This is a genuine indicator of depth across two distinct legal disciplines.
How does the firm’s elder law practice differ from its family law work?
The elder law practice operates from a separate office location and focuses on the legal needs of older adults and their families: estate planning, Medicaid qualification, guardianship, grandparents’ rights, and claims involving nursing home abuse or financial exploitation. The family law practice handles divorce, custody, support, adoption, and related matters. While the two practice areas are distinct, they share a focus on families and an understanding that legal decisions in these areas have long-term personal consequences.
Can the firm help if a family member in a nursing home has been abused or neglected?
Yes. The firm handles claims involving nursing home abuse and neglect, including pressure ulcers caused by inadequate care, malnutrition, medication errors, and physical abuse. If a family member has been harmed in a nursing home or long-term care facility, the firm can evaluate whether a legal claim is appropriate and what remedies may be available.
Does the firm handle family law cases involving military service members?
Attorney Amsberry’s background as a reservist assistant Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Army gives the firm specific knowledge of military family law issues, including the division of military retirement pay under federal law, the effect of deployment on custody arrangements, and other matters where military regulations and Texas family law intersect.
How long has the firm been in operation?
The Amsberry Law Firm has been serving clients since 1995, a span of more than three decades. During that time, Attorney Amsberry has handled thousands of matters in family law and elder law across San Antonio and the surrounding region.
Closing
The Amsberry Law Firm’s three-decade presence in San Antonio, combined with Attorney Amsberry’s dual board certifications and military legal background, reflects a practice built on depth rather than breadth of marketing. Whether the matter involves a contested Texas divorce, a child custody modification, Medicaid asset protection planning, or a nursing home abuse claim, the firm’s credentials and track record provide a substantive basis for confidence. Contact the firm at (210) 354-2244 or visit https://amsberrylaw.com.