Luzerne County Bar Association Offers Free Legal Services to Heroes

The Luzerne County Bar Association, officially known as the Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association, is collaborating with the Pennsylvania Bar Association to host a Wills for Heroes event on December 5. This initiative will take place at the Karambelas Media and Communication Center at Wilkes University, offering complimentary legal services to first responders and military veterans.

The event aims to provide essential legal documents, including wills, living wills, and powers of attorney related to health care and finances, at no cost. Volunteer attorneys will be available to assist all active and retired first responders from Luzerne County and neighboring areas, as well as Pennsylvania military veterans and their spouses or partners. Participants are required to present proof of service, such as the DD Form 214 for veterans.

December 5 marks an important date for those seeking legal assistance. The program is exclusive to Pennsylvania residents and has certain eligibility limitations. Notably, individuals whose estates exceed $1 million will not qualify for these services. This threshold is set to manage the complexity of estates, which include cash, personal property, stocks, bonds, real estate equity, savings, and the cash value of any whole or universal life insurance policies.

Event Details and Scheduling

Time slots for legal consultations will commence at 11 a.m. on December 5, with appointments lasting approximately one hour. Each session aims to provide participants with notarized legal documents tailored to their needs. For those attending with a spouse or partner, back-to-back appointments will be arranged, ensuring a streamlined experience. However, no additional appointments will be available after the last time slot of the day.

Individuals interested in participating must schedule their appointments in advance by visiting www.pabar.org/wfh/, using the password “Luzerne.” This proactive measure is essential given the limited time and resources available for this community service program.

For further information about the Wills for Heroes program, please visit the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s website at https://www.pabar.org/site/For-Public/Wills-for-Heroes. This initiative underscores the commitment of local legal professionals to support those who have served their communities and country, providing vital legal assistance to ensure peace of mind for first responders and veterans alike.