Sativa Boatman-Sloan

Sativa-headshot-webMy elder law practice assists people with all phases of their life planning. It is a rewarding career and I truly enjoy resolving issues for my clients. I was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri and graduated from Glendale High School in 1989. I graduated from St. Louis University School of Law in 1996, and practiced law in St. Louis for several years before returning home to Springfield in 2004.

For my early years practicing law, real estate and business law were my primary areas of focus. As my estate planning practice began to grow, it became clear that many clients needed additional information concerning planning for long term care expenses. Their needs prompted me to add elder law to my practice areas. For estate planning, I concentrate on educating my clients about how to avoid probate and properly direct their assets to their chosen beneficiaries. With nursing home planning, I inform my clients about their options to avoid spending their life savings paying for nursing home care. In cases of disability, I explain Powers of Attorney, Special Needs Trusts, and guardianships with families. When a relative dies and probate was not avoided, I guide my clients compassionately through the process.

It is important that people understand how to protect their assets whether it is in relation to disability, long term care, or upon death. As an attorney, my philosophy is to inform my clients about their options so they can make educated decisions about all aspects of their life planning.

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BOARD MEMBER

Emily Blinzig

417 Law Firm Emily Blinzig Attorney

I grew up in St Louis Missouri, then moved to Oklahoma to attend college. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2005 with a major in International and Latin American studies and a minor in Anthropology. While looking for a job in my field, I worked at The Hartford Insurance Company which services small businesses and AARP policyholders. During the training process, I was introduced to insurance law and it was so interesting to me that I decided to go to law school. While in law school, I was drawn to the transactional side of law practice, including contracts, estate planning, and business transactions. After graduating from law school in 2012, I moved to Springfield to be a Trial Attorney for the Public Defender’s office where I handled juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect cases, and later took a position with a local personal injury law firm. Although the work was interesting and challenging, I knew the best fit for me was in transactional law with a focus on seniors and business owners.

In May of 2018, I joined the Law Office of Sativa-Boatman Sloan, LLC and every day I wake up excited to go into work. I enjoy being able to meet with clients and help put their minds at ease, knowing that everything they worked so hard for will be protected and handled the way they want it after their death. The other aspects I find equally rewarding are helping families through the difficult process of making decisions about nursing home care for their loved ones, or guiding them through the process of guardianship.

Outside of work, I enjoy yoga and being in nature, whether hiking, camping, kayaking or swimming. I also love being a part of the Springfield community and experiencing all of the great events and festivals. I have two fur-children who I have raised for the past 13 years and we go on as many adventures as we can find time for.

EDUCATION

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Missouri, 2012

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Rachel Fortenberry

417 Law Firm Rachel Fortenberry Attorney

My life’s mission is to help people. At the law office, I do that by guiding clients through difficult situations and protecting their loved ones. I was born and raised in the Springfield area, attending Logan-Rogersville High School and graduating cum laude from Missouri State University. I spent the better part of three years in Cleveland, Ohio, graduating from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2015 where I received the Hugo Grotius Scholarship and Frederick K. Cox International Center Fellowship.

I began my career as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Christian County, where I spent three years in the courtroom. I prosecuted a large range of offenses starting with traffic tickets and misdemeanor assault, moving on to DWI and manslaughter cases, and finally to the felony property crimes caseload in my last year, which included burglary, robbery, as well as financial exploitation of the elderly.

In late 2018, I moved to civil practice in an effort to help clients more directly. Through my work in personal injury and worker’s compensation, I found that I loved being able to help my clients make sense of the oftentimes complicated and confusing legal process. This passion is what I bring to my clients when assisting them in making wills and trusts, guiding them through complex Medicaid and nursing home planning, or managing the probate process.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Brad, giving back to the community through Junior League of Springfield, and spending time outdoors in the Ozarks.

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