The ABA YLD is eager to help your organization host Wills for Heroes events locally. The program is a rewarding experience, an excellent opportunity for attorneys to apply their legal skills, and a chance for your organization to give back to the community.

The Wills for Heroes Foundation will work with you to locate a first responder department and the ABA YLD will assist you in developing the necessary templates if they are not already available in your area.

Implementation Timetable

Typical development time is four to six months.
Expected Time Period
Steps

Month 1 and 2

BOARD APPROVAL & FORMS SUBMISSION

  • Obtain approval from your Bar Association’s Board of Governors. (Informational flyer and other resources are available on the Wills for Heroes homepage.)
  • Complete and submit the following:
  •     Wills for Heroes Request Form (See Below)
  •     Memorandum of Understanding
  •     Two Sublicensing Agreements

Months 2 through 4

CREATE OR REVISE ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS

  • States without Templates:
    ABA YLD can assist your organization in getting the necessary materials and training
    • Form a Trusts & Estates team.
    • Revise Wills for Heroes forms (estate planning questionnaire, disclaimer and estate planning documents) to comply with your state law.
    • Collaborate with LexisNexis to assemble estate planning documents into HotDocs.
  • States with Templates:
    • Form a Trusts & Estates team.
    • Contact ABA YLD for location of templates.

States' Template Status

Templates Available
Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia

Currently Developing Templates
Kansas, Michigan, and Utah

 

LOCATE A FIRST RESPONDER GROUP
Wills For Heroes Foundation can assist you in locating a first responder department

  • Contact first responder organizations to determine interest and garner support.
  • Finalize department/location for “test-run” event.
 

MARKETING & RECRUITING

  • Develop a marketing and communication plan (Wills for Heroes Foundation will help coordinate).
  • Implement viable goals (i.e.: brochure, web page, etc.)
  • Develop a CLE program to recruit and train new and existing volunteers.
  • Reach out to other bar associations to partner with Wills for Heroes program.
  • Recruit attorney, witness, and notary volunteers.

1 Day
in Month 4 or 5

TEST-RUN

  • Conduct small “test-run” Wills for Heroes event.

Month 5

FINALIZE PROCESS

  • Evaluate program and make any necessary adjustments before continuing with program expansion.
  • Request any changes to HotDocs forms from LexisNexis.

Month 5 through 6

EVENT ROLLOUT

  • Official Wills for Heroes event rollout coordinated by Bar Association’s communications department and Wills for Heroes Foundation (i.e.: press release and media event).

Post-Implementation Activities

  • Continue to develop relationships with the first responder community.
  • Continue to employ marketing and communication plans.

Additional Information

If you are interested in volunteering at a Wills for Heroes event, please check your state or local bar organization for upcoming programs.

Interested first responder groups should contact the Wills for Heroes Foundation.

For questions about implementation, please contact

Advertisement