LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan State Bar's "A Lawyer Helps" announcing a new initiative, Tuesday, that will provide free legal help to front line workers.
The Michigan State Bar president, Dennis Barnes, said, "What we did is recognized a couple different needs among many, one is that we've got first responders, health care workers police officers the whole gamut of first responders out there putting their lives and health on the line and their families for us, to take care of the rest of the public."
Through the Frontline Responders Legal Helpline medical workers and first responders can get help with crucial legal documents that the Michigan State Bar says can be hard to think about even under normal circumstances. Legal documents like wills, medical powers of attorney, and financial powers of attorney.
Barnes said, "...so what we did is assemble a panel of volunteers from the State Bar of Michigan to provide a rapid response for first responders where on a pro-bono basis, no charge, these attorneys from the State Bar of Michigan will help with a simple will or simple estate planning issues durable power of attorney or attorneys."
The Michigan State Bar says normal income restrictions for pro-bono work has been waived.
Barnes says these frontline workers should first recognize if they have a need and go to michbar.orgor they call (800) 968-0738.
"They can talk with an attorney, is the point, and the attorneys have the expertise in drafting these instruments a lot of times it will be simple and quick but talking with the attorneys that can work through what issues you have and what can you can do about them especially on short notice," Barnes said.