On Nov. 7, 2009 there will be a pro bono opportunity for Philadelphia-area attorneys and paralegals to partner with PECO/Exelon through Wills for Heroes. You do not need to be a trusts and estates expert to participate. Training is provided that morning. In addition, certified experts are on-hand for training, questions and a final expert review of the documents with the client.

Wills for Heroes provides free wills, living wills, health care and financial powers of attorney to first responders and their spouses/partners. The foundation was started in response to the tragic events of 9/11. Of the 403 first responders who died that day, most did not have a will in place.

This program provides free wills and other estate planning documents to our local heroes using a program supplied free-of-charge by LexisNexis. In Pennsylvania, it is a project of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and co-sponsored by Ballard Spahr L.L.P.

Wills for Heroes will provide computers and printers. Several attorneys who are well-versed in estate planning and the LexisNexis software package that we will use, will be at the event on Nov. 7 to answer any questions that may arise.

Clients will sign-up in advance and receive a questionnaire that needs to be completed and brought to their scheduled appointment. Data entry will be required and all participants will receive a single copy of their will. Typically one client is serviced per hour. Spouses/partners will have the option of waiving the conflict and of working with the same attorney(s) - in that case, the appointment is generally 1.5 hours.

During the summer of 2008, the late Verdina Showell of Exelon worked with Dan McKenna of Ballard Spahr (also a board member of Wills for Heroes and the PBA YLD Coordinator) to organize the first Pennsylvania Wills for Heroes event at Exelon's Limerick Nuclear Generating Station. Since then, Exelon participated in a clinic with the FOP of Philadelphia in June (for PECO's all-hands pro bono project and where the first annual Verdina Y. Showell Award was awarded in her memory by the PBA), and a small PECO/Exelon team participated in a clinic in September at the State Police barracks in Avondale.

If you have any questions about the program please contact Daniel McKenna at mckennad@ballardspahr.com. For more information on the program visit the Wills for Heroes Foundation at www.willsforheroes.org.

Sign-up Flyer [PDF]
More Information on Wills for Heroes - PA
Online Registration Form for Volunteer Attorneys and Paralegals