Low-income seniors and people with a terminal illness can get a legal hand with making a will, through programs offered by Access Pro Bono.

Last year, 231 individuals accessed the Wills Clinic Program provided by Access Pro Bono, in partnership with the federal Department of Justice and the provincial Ministry of Justice. Volunteer lawyers and articling students, trained by Access Pro Bono in wills and estates practice, assist low-income seniors (55 plus) and people with terminal illnesses who wish to create a simple will, representation agreement or power of attorney.

The free Wills Clinic operates Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Vancouver Justice Access Centre located at 290 - 800 Hornby St. For an appointment, call 604 424-9600 or email: willsclinic@accessprobono.ca

If you live outside the Lower Mainland, Access Pro Bono's provincewide Wills & Estates Program features a roster of volunteer lawyers willing to provide pro bono legal assistance or representation to low-income individuals with wills and estate matters that may involve basic wills, letters of administration, powers of attorney, committeeship applications, probate letters and representation agreements. To access this service, call 1 877 762-6664 and ask for the lawyer roster service.

Why It Matters:

The province is raising awareness about the importance of creating or updating a last will and testament by proclaiming March 31 through April 6, 2014, as Make-a-Will Week. Implementation of the new Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA) on March 31, 2014, has made it easier than ever to make a will.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Honourable Suzanne Anton -

“Make-a-Will Week is a reminder to all adults in our province to either review or create your will today. Organizations like Access Pro Bono are doing important work in ensuring low-income seniors and the terminally ill receive assistance in writing their wills.”

Access Pro Bono, executive director, Jamie Maclaren -

“We hope Make-a-Will Week spurs members of the public to either review or create their will. Our Wills Clinic Program and Wills & Estates Program provide free yet valuable legal services to low-income seniors and the terminally ill in our province, whom we are pleased to support.”

Quick Facts:

• Having a will allows you to set out your wishes.
• A set formula will be applied to divide your property if you don’t prepare a valid will.
• The legislation will not invalidate any wills validly made before it comes into effect.
• Some of the laws governing the interpretation of wills are changing, so individuals who already have a will may choose to have it reviewed by a professional to ensure their wishes are upheld.

Learn More at:

Make-a-Will Week launch: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/04/isnt-it-about-time-to-make-a-will.html

Make-a-Will Week: www.ag.gov.bc.ca/make-a-will

Access Pro Bono: www.accessprobono.ca/willsclinic

Media Contacts:

Lori DeLuca
Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 953-3196