×

PA Bar Association makes Wills for Heroes initiative

Members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association are giving back to veterans and emergency responders.

The Wills for Heroes programs provides free estate planning — will, living will, and power of attorney — for veterans, their spouses, including surviving spouses, and first responders, according to Attorney Sara Flasher.

According to information from the Bar Association’s website, “A program cosponsored by the PBA Young Lawyers Division, ‘Wills for Heroes’ provides free basic estate planning documents to first responders and military veterans in Pennsylvania. “Wills for Heroes” provides police, fire, emergency medical personnel, other first responders and military veterans – those on the frontlines for our personal safety – the tools they need to prepare adequately for the future.”

A simple will includes guardianship for children, Flasher said. Included services available are power of attorney and living wills.

“A lot of people don’t take the time to sit down and make sure they have a will,” Flasher said. “It’s an important document and it’s a way that attorneys can give back.”

“The Warren County Bar Association is supporting getting the program under way,” she said. “I participated in the program in Allegheny County,” Flasher said. “I want to bring it here.”

Attorneys have to register with the Bar Association to volunteer for the program.

Flasher is working with Warren County Veterans Affairs Director Ed Burris and the Warren County commissioners. For now, she will hold clinics in the courthouse. Eventually, she hopes to offer evening and weekend hours, possibly at a central location, or in fire halls and other public places.

At Monday’s meeting of the Warren County Commissioners, the commissioners agreed to provide Flasher with whatever she needs for the program.

Mostly, she needs an accessible space.

To qualify, a veteran or responder may not have more than $750,000 in “liquidable assets,” Flasher said. Those who are interested “go online and sign up. They have to fill out a packet of information.”

Information and the packet is available by visiting www.pabar.org, clicking on the ‘for the public’ tab, selecting Wills for Heroes, and clicking on ‘first responders.’

Flasher can be reached at (412) 977-2437.

Flasher expects to meet with individuals and couples for about an hour to finalize the paperwork. Flasher is able to provide the notary services necessary for the wills.

“They put their lives on the line,” she said. “We want to give back to the people who give so much. It’s a good program. It’s a good deed.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today