Senior citizens can now rest a little easier. A recent advance directives program has helped several senior citizens get their legal issues in order.
On Oct. 8, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Florida Coastal School of Law, The Jacksonville Bar Association, and The Northeast Florida Paralegal Association offered free legal services by Florida licensed attorneys, paralegals, and law students in support of the senior citizens in the community’s HUD residential centers. The Advance Directives for Seniors Pro Bono Project provides many area senior citizens with the opportunity to create these documents free of charge and with the assistance of a licensed attorney.
The goal of the event was to create advance directive documents including Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate Designation, Living Will and in some cases, Designation of Pre-Need Guardian and a Simple Will.
“For all of us, it’s important that we have legal documents designating those trusted persons who will make decisions on our behalf if we become unable to make those decisions for ourselves,” stated Teresa Swanner, Service Coordinator for Pablo Hamlet. This program gives residents peace of mind that the documents are in place when the time comes that the documents and designees are needed.
“Sometimes when my residents try to talk to their children about getting everything in place for their not so distant ‘future,’ the children don’t want to talk about it and it makes it difficult on the resident to proceed,” she said. “I was touched that so many people volunteered and graciously worked with my residents and even said they would do it again for other residents!”
Ms. Swanner said the program was a great success and stated that plans are underway to offer the service at other senior residential centers.
Advance directive documents were created for 13 residents. A special thank you to all the volunteers: Attorneys: Jessica Dunn, Rick Fairweather, Hollyn Foster, Pat Vail; Paralegals: Nancy Mason, Stacy Burlog, Cristina d’Esterhazy, Cathie Reid; Legal Assistant: Susan Engelke; Law Student: Amy King.
Attorneys interested in pro bono opportunities throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit are encouraged to contact Kathy Para, Chairperson, The Pro Bono Committee of The Jacksonville Bar Association, [email protected].