Free Legal Documents Clinic

A team of legal professionals will visit Whitefish Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, to help limited-income seniors 60 and older complete important estate-planning documents.

It is estimated that only 45 percent of Americans have completed wills. Many of us also lack durable power of attorney documents appointing the person(s) we wish to make medical or financial decisions for us should we be unable to do so ourselves. Not having these important safeguards in place leaves us vulnerable and places stress upon family and friends when a crisis happens or a loved one dies.

Clinic participants can complete these and other estate-planning documents. Participants will leave with notarized documents, copies of original documents, and instructions about what to do with each.

Last year, similar legal clinics in seven Montana communities helped participants complete 959 documents and saved them an estimated $595,000 in legal costs. The program also utilizes one-on-one phone clinics to help seniors in some of Montana’s remotest areas.

The deadline for registration is Wednesday, July 18. Contact Katy Lovell at 406-444-7787 or 800-332-2272 to register. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.