For many first responders, the risk of passing away in the line of duty is something that comes with the job. Despite these brave men and women putting their lives on the line for our communities, many first responders have not drafted a will or other estate planning documents. On Oct. 23 and 24, more than 20 volunteer attorneys and 15 law students determined to change that by providing free estate planning services for firefighters and their spouses from the Boise Fire Department at an annual event called “Wills for Heroes.”
The Young Lawyers Section of the Idaho State Bar partnered with Parsons Behle & Latimer (Parsons) and volunteer attorneys to provide wills, financial power of attorney, and healthcare power of attorney documents for more than 50 firefighters and their spouses. Parsons both sponsored and staffed the event, with Parsons Associate attorney Justin Eckman presenting a CLE and training on estate planning and Parsons’ Associate attorneys Nicole W. Hardesty and Jeffrey T. Jorgenson serving as attorney volunteers. Parsons administrative staff members Davonna Wolff, Kristin Middleton, Rebecca Ford, Patricia Trunnell, Tawna Woods and Samantha Martindale also served as witnesses and notaries for the event.
Justin Eckman, Parsons Behle & Latimer associate attorney and Young Lawyers Section of the Idaho State Bar treasurer said, “This was such an important project for us, both as the Young Lawyers Section and as a Parsons’ attorney. We have such respect and appreciation for the work our firefighters and emergency responders do to make it possible for us to live and work in our community that we wanted to do something to give back.”
Boise attorney and Young Lawyer Section President Audreanna Lowry said, “This has been a passion project of mine ever since I was able to participate in a similar program in Utah before I moved to Boise. There is such a need for this service among our first responders, and I am so grateful that Parsons ran with this idea as soon as we presented it to them.”
Cody Wohner, Class I firefighter with the Boise Fire Department, said “As soon as the guys heard about this opportunity there was a huge amount of interest. We know there is always a possibility that one of us won’t come home, but we don’t spend a lot of time planning for that. I have heard from several of the firefighters that it is such a relief to have this taken care of. The spouses. too. One spouse told me, ‘Worrying about my husband while he is on shift is a full-time job. I’m still going to worry, but this gives me a little peace of mind.’ We are just so grateful that this opportunity was available for us.”
When asked if they intend to continue the program, Eckman responded “Of course. Our vision is to have clinics like this at least once a year until we can help every first responder in the state.”
To learn more about the Young Lawyers Section of the Idaho State Bar, click here.
l to r: Justin Eckman, Nickie Hardesty, Captain Williams, Firefighter Barkley, Firefighter Wohner, Audreanna Lowry, Jeff Jorgensen
