Md. Law Organization to Offer Free Wills for First Responders

Sept. 25--First responders, who live in Harford County, have the opportunity to get wills produced for free next month during a local Wills for Heroes event sponsored by the Harford County Bar Foundation and the Maryland State Bar Association.

"In the spirit of Pro Bono Month (October), the Harford County members of the bar wish to protect those who protect us, and we thank all of them for their service to our community," Elizabeth Thompson, a Bar Foundation board member and attorney with Stark & Keenan of Bel Air, said during a presentation before the Harford County Council earlier this week.

Wills for Heroes

The Bar Foundation's Thompson said she expects 50 to 60 people will be served at the Oct. 8 event, which is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company's main station at 109 S. Hickory Ave.

Forty-four of 45 slots for first responders have been filled, and nine of those first responders have a "plus one," such as a significant other, who will also be served during the Oct. 8 session, according to Thompson.

The police, fire and EMS workers are from the Harford County Sheriff's Office, Harford County Department of Emergency Services, the Bel Air, Joppa-Magnolia and Fallston fire companies, the Susquehanna Hose Company, of Havre de Grace, the Aberdeen Police Department, Bel Air auxiliary police officers, the security division at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, as well as the Baltimore City Fire Department and the Baltimore and Montgomery County Police.

Thompson clarified to Councilman Jim McMahan that first responders who work for agencies outside Harford County are eligible, if they live in Harford.

"As long as they are residents of Harford County, we will provide the service," she said.

Thompson said seven members of the Harford County bar, including her, will take part in the Wills for Heroes event. Other members of the bar, who have said they do not specialize in wills, still want to help.

"They're acting more in an administrative, witness, notary capacity," she said.

The State Bar Association is also bringing five attorneys from Prince George's County to help at the event.

Councilman Joe Woods, who worked with Thompson to put the event together, asked if there is any other way for the public to contribute.

She said anyone interested in volunteering should contact her at her law firm, 410-838-5522.

"As long as you're 18 and competent you can witness someone's will, as long as you don't know them and you're not in it," Thompson said.

McMahan also asked if retired first responders would be served.

Thompson said several retired officers have contacted her, and she agreed to give them appointment slots.

"I've been extremely liberal," she said.

McMahan suggested working with the Harford County Commission on Veterans Affairs to expand the service to veterans.

"We have such a critical need for our veterans," he said.

Prompted by 9/11

The Wills for Heroes Foundation is a nationwide nonprofit organization started by an attorney in Columbia, S.C., who wanted to assist first responders following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to the organization's website.

The attorney, Anthony Hayes, contacted the Columbia Fire Department, and his research showed there was "a glaring need for estate planning services," according to the website.

The foundation was created to help Wills for Heroes expand nationwide and give local first responders an opportunity to have their wills and other estate planning documents completed for free.

The foundation provides paperwork and equipment to complete the documents, Thompson said.

Councilman Curtis Beulah told Thompson the program is "huge," in his view. He noted first responders can get their wills drawn up, as well as additional documents such as health care directives and powers of attorney.

"You're taking care of, really, all their estate planning needs right there," said Beulah, who is a wealth manager and an Army veteran. "They can go there one day, walk out, everything is completed and you don't have to worry about procrastination, paying a large legal bill."

Thompson told him first responders can ask any question they like during their sessions with an attorney.

"Thank you, that's huge," Beulah said. "I appreciate it."

Thompson worked with Woods, a former Fallston fire chief, as well as local law enforcement, municipal leaders, county officials, the county's Office on Aging and the Bar Foundation to put the event together.

She told council members she plans to have another pro bono event.

"I think it's a wonderful gesture to the community and probably greatly appreciated by those that are able to use the benefits of your service," Council President Richard Slutzky said.

Tax credit legislation

The property tax credit to aid families of fallen first responders, Bill 16-24, will have a public hearing on Oct. 18 at 7:15 p.m. in the council chambers at 212 S. Bond St. in Bel Air.

If approved, the bill would amend the county tax code to allow surviving spouses of fallen fire, rescue, law enforcement and EMS workers to get a property tax credit for a dwelling owned by either the fallen officer or his or her spouse when that officer died.

A 100 percent tax credit would be granted, if the fallen officer worked for a Harford County agency and a 50 percent credit if the officer served outside Harford, according to the legislation.

The council does not comment on legislation prior to the public hearing.

During the same council session, legislation was introduced under the sponsorship of County Executive Barry Glassman to provide up to a 100 percent property tax credit to the surviving spouses of "fallen" fire, rescue, law enforcement or emergency medical services personnel.

Harford County was rocked by February's fatal shootings of two Sheriff's Office deputies, the first such deaths since 1899, who had responded to what at first was supposed to be a routine call about a man who might have had an outstanding warrant from nearly 20 years earlier.

Since then, there has been heightened community awareness of the dangers police and other first responders face.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised for the families of Deputy Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey and Deputy First Class Mark Logsdon, as well as for the Harford County Deputy Sheriff's Benevolent Fund.

The deputies' deaths followed the January 2015 death of a paid paramedic working for the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, who was killed responding to a medical emergency call during a snowstorm.

Copyright 2016 - The Aegis, Bel Air, Md.