Free set of estate planning documents for veterans at legal clinic Oct 18

Veterans of any military branch can receive a free set of estate planning documents (a will, advance health care directive and power of attorney) on Saturday, October 18 from the Washington Veterans Will Clinic.

This is the first year the clinic has been available in the Puget Sound area. It originated in Spokane in 2012 and has served over 300 veterans.

To qualify, the veteran needs discharge papers (DD 214), proof of Washington residency and have less than $500,000 in assets ($1 million if married; spouses and widows are welcome at the clinic).

Veterans can register online now (full details and disclaimers on the website). Attorneys will use the online registration to prepare draft documents. The veteran will then be scheduled for a one-hour meeting with an attorney on Saturday, October 18. Changes to the documents will be made on-site. 

The documents are printed, signed and notarized at the clinic. The veteran walks out with a complete set of documents at no cost. To obtain these documents privately, the average cost is $500-$1000. The majority of Washingtonians do not have estate planning documents so the clinic provides a much needed resource.

Several veteran service organizations will also be at the clinic to answer questions and provide resources. The North Sound clinic will be at the University of Washington School of Law in north Seattle on Saturday, October 18. Free parking is available for all veterans. For further information or questions, contact the North Sound clinic or 425-610-6353.

The clinic will be held on the UW campus. The law school address is 4293 Memorial Way Seattle, WA 98195. The law school is near the northwest corner of the University of Washington campus near the intersection of 15th Avenue NE and NE 43rd Street, just behind the Burke Museum. The parking lot between the Burke Museum and the law school will be set aside for the clinic.