For the past seven months, the 4th Circuit has had a new resource for low-income people in need of probate assistance, will creation and advance directives creation.
Since September, pro bono attorneys from area law firms have offered a monthly opportunity “estate planning intake night.” These firms have helped launch the initiative: Akerman, Terrell Hogan, Marks Gray, Rogers Towers, Gray Robinson, and Fisher Tousey.
Estate planning intake night is held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Downtown office of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, 126 W. Adams St. Additional firms are needed to staff the monthly events.
Here’s how it works: The law firm that is staffing a specific night provides four attorneys who serve as intake interviewers. People needing probate, will creation or advance directives assistance are pre-screened and scheduled for 45-minute appointments beginning at 5:15 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.
Using an interview checklist, pro bono attorneys get the facts of the estate planning matter. The interview checklists are provided ahead of time and attorneys need not have expertise in estate planning.
If the firm has an attorney with estate planning expertise, that attorney serves as an expert resource outside of the interview rooms for attorneys who have questions during the course of the interview. So the firm may provide five attorneys to staff the intake night.
If the firm doesn’t have an attorney with this expertise, an attorney from another firm will be available to provide guidance and help evaluate cases.
Each interviewing attorney will speak to up to three applicants. In some cases, documents can be created on estate planning intake night.
Attorneys may agree to assist the client with the matter and accept it as a pro bono case. However, case acceptance is not a requirement for participation in estate planning intake night. When probate assistance is needed, only uncontested matters will be opened. For contested matters, applicants are referred to The Jacksonville Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service. Estate planning intake night is a joint project of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and Three Rivers Legal Services.
Since its beginning, estate planning intake night has assisted nearly 100 people. Applicants receive services in areas that help ensure stability and dignity during times of need. They get legal help resolving estate matters and moving ahead with closure and optimism.
Firms interested in staffing an estate planning intake night are encouraged to contact Kathy Para, chairwoman, The JBA Pro Bono Committee, at [email protected].
Attorneys who would like more information on the depth and variety of pro bono opportunities are also encouraged to contact Para. The need is great and the legal services organizations in the 4th Circuit are deeply appreciative of the participation of every pro bono attorney.