For low-income and vulnerable clients, advance planning is vital to protecting limited personal resources. Pro bono attorney Elizabeth Lasseter recently assisted a client in taking steps to ensure that his final wishes could be easily carried out by family members. Lasseter accepted a pro bono case in which the client simply wanted to execute a will and other advance directive documents. It was a simple case, but it mattered deeply to Lasseter’s client.
Lasseter’s client came to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) and requested assistance in drafting a will, durable power of attorney, living will and designation of a health care surrogate. The client was a military veteran and, although he had no urgent medical issues, he did have some serious ongoing conditions. These conditions made him acutely aware that it was important for him to memorialize his directions while he was of sound mind. The client wanted to organize his affairs so that his family would know his desires. Lasseter said they were able to discuss his options and determine what best suited his needs. When the documents were created and executed, he was very relieved that his affairs were in order. Lasseter reported that although her assistance was quite straightforward and easy to accomplish, the process really helped give her client peace of mind.
Regarding pro bono work, Lasseter states, “It is a rewarding experience for everyone involved. It takes the ‘work’ out of practicing law and reminds us that we are here to help. I was amazed by my client’s gratitude for such a simple matter.” In fact, Lasseter’s client was so grateful, he wrote a thank-you note to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and made a donation on behalf of Lasseter.
JALA has developed many free, online CLEs to support pro bono attorneys. For example, JALA is midway through a four-part elder law series.
Pro bono attorneys can request the presentations and materials that have already been conducted and/or sign up for upcoming live webinars. These webinars are designed to give the pro bono attorney the tools needed to assist a client in these areas of law:
1. Wills and Advance Directives, presented by Robert Morgan, Esq., in June. The Web link and all materials are available upon request from JALA ([email protected]).
2. Special Needs Trusts was presented by attorney Rebecca Berg in July. The Web link and all materials are available upon request from JALA ([email protected]).
Attorneys can still sign up for these webinars:
Friday, Aug. 24, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Basic Probate presented by Rebeccah Beller; reserve your webinar spot now by registering at www3.gotomeeting.com/register/538303214; and Friday, Sept. 14, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Introduction to Guardianship presented by Rebeccah Beller; reserve your webinar spot now by registering at www3.gotomeeting.com/register/534606830.
For more information on pro bono opportunities throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit, contact Kathy Para, chairwoman of The JBA Pro Bono Committee at [email protected]. Pro bono attorneys are needed for one-day events and outreach efforts as well as for case representation. Attorneys willing to consider case representation may go to www.jaxlegalaid.org and click on “Cases Awaiting Placement with Pro Bono Attorneys.”