Free Estate Planning For Veterans, Responders Being Offered

March 8, 2024

A patch on the shoulder of a Pennsylvania National Guard member in 2019.
Credit: PA Internet News Service

Bucks County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court Linda Bobrin is launching the first of four free estate planning events for 2024.

The program works to provide critical legal documents such as wills, living wills, and powers of attorney for health care and finance to military veterans, first responders, and their spouses or partners.

The first is already full and will be held on Saturday, March 9, at Bucks County Community College’s campus in Bristol Township.

Three additional “Wills for Heroes” sessions are scheduled throughout the year.

The events will take place on May 11 at Falls Township American Legion Post 834 in Levittown; June 22 at the Lower Southampton Fire Department in Lower Southampton Township; and September 14 at the Bucks County Bar Association in Doylestown Borough. Each session is set to begin at 11 a.m. and will offer one-hour appointments for individuals or couples, which must be arranged in advance through online registration at www.buckscounty.gov/willsforheroes.

The “Wills for Heroes” program is a collaboration between the Bucks County Register of Wills and the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.

Local businesses, including Newtown Bagel, contribute to the cause by providing meals for volunteers.

Originating after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the “Wills for Heroes” initiative addresses a significant need within the first responder and veteran communities.

“Two thirds of those who died responding to 9/11, died without estate plans. We are a generous nation, and much was donated for heroes’ families. Much care was exercised in distributing those offerings but without Wills, we can never know if the wishes of those who died were realized. We take care of the heroes we see, first responders and veterans, so their wishes are met,” said David Trevaskis, pro bono coordinator for the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Since its revival in Bucks County in 2023, the program has assisted over 73 residents in obtaining wills and other estate documents, with an additional 71 people expected to benefit from the upcoming event.

For further information or to register for an event, interested parties can contact Linda Bobrin at lbobrin@buckscounty.org or Rachel Landsberg at ralandsberg@buckscounty.org.