Program Overview

The MSBA Probate Section's Wills for Heroes project is designed to provide free legal services to prepare basic estate planning documents for Minnesota First Responders. First Responders include: police officers; firefighters; paramedics; EMTs; and corrections officers (in addition to the spouses or widow/widowers of such personnel). This program has been implemented in five other states (South Carolina, Arizona, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia) and is maintained by the bar associations of these states. A committee of the Probate and Trust Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association has developed and will oversee the program in Minnesota.

The volunteer attorneys will draft basic Wills, Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives for the First Responders and their spouses (or domestic partners) who individually have a net worth of less than $500,000. First Responders having assets in excess of $500,000 will not be eligible to participate in the program.

To participate in the program, contact will be made with the MSBA Probate Section Wills Project team by an eligible group to set up a specific time and location for a group's members to meet with our volunteers. A questionnaire and information will be provided in advance so the people who need legal assistance will have time to gather appropriate paperwork and information. The questionnaire gives a brief explanation of the process, outlines important caveats, and asks the participant to answer key questions necessary to draft the Will, Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive. By receiving the questions ahead of time, the participants were able to think through the decisions that need to be made and discuss the issues with their spouse or other trusted friends.

With laptops and a portable printer, a group of attorneys will arrive at the location (police station, fire station, etc.) and work with each First Responder to discuss his/her matter in a confidential manner. The participant will sit with an attorney to review their completed questionnaire. Simultaneously, a paralegal, law student, or other support staff member will sit next to the attorney and enter the information into the laptop. Once the questionnaire has been reviewed and the process explained, the Will, Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive will be generated. The attorney will review the entire document with the participant to ensure they fully understand what they are executing. After the document is explained, and any corrections made, the Will, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Directive will be executed and notarized. The goal is to complete the entire process in one meeting.