WACO -

The Baylor Law Veterans Clinic has announced that for the ninth consecutive year, it will offer free estate planning for veterans and their spouses in Central Texas to commemorate Veterans Day. Space is limited and is available by appointment only from Monday, November 2, through Friday November 6, 2020. The free estate planning clinic is made possible by a grant from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation.

There are over 19,000 Veterans in Central Texas, many of whom would benefit from legal guidance with end-of-life decision making, including making long-term healthcare decisions and effectively planning for future financial needs, but are unable to afford legal counsel. To meet this need, Baylor Law is once again hosting its annual Veterans Day Estate Planning Clinic, providing pro bono estate planning aid for local veterans and their spouses. “It is an honor to serve our veterans,” stated Clinic Director Josh Borderud, adding, “many of our student volunteers are themselves veterans, or are family members of veterans, and they wish to use their legal training to serve those who have served our country.”

During this year’s clinic, the telephonic intake appointments will cover the five documents to be drafted by the clinic: will, power of attorney, medical power of attorney, declaration of guardian, and directive to physicians. Second and third year law students will then draft the documents with two levels of attorney supervision, culminating in a socially-distanced, in-person signing ceremony few weeks later at Baylor Law.

While Baylor Law's Veterans Day Estate Planning Clinic is an annual event, serving veterans and their spouses is a year-round mission for Baylor Law students. The Baylor Law Veterans Clinic provides pro bono legal advice to military veterans and their spouses at monthly legal clinics held at the Heart of Texas Veterans One Stop in Waco. At the clinics, Baylor Law faculty, staff, and students work together with local lawyers to serve the tens of thousands of veterans residing in McLennan County and its surrounding counties, many of whom cannot afford to hire an attorney. These clinics also help instill a culture of community and service in Baylor Law students: the desire to use their legal training to help others. During the 2019-2020 school year, a total of 30 students volunteered at six monthly legal advice clinics and 16 weekly legal advice clinics, which served 257 veterans and their spouses. In addition, A total of 29 students drafted 66 wills for veterans, first responders, and their spouses.

Veterans who are interested in the Estate Planning Clinic should call (254) 710-4244 or email LegalClinics@baylor.edu to schedule their appointment.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ed Nelson, Director of Marketing & Communications
EMAIL: Ed_Nelson@Baylor.edu
PHONE: 254-710-6681

ABOUT BAYLOR LAW
Established in 1857, Baylor University School of Law was one of the first law schools in Texas and one of the first west of the Mississippi River. Accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the Association of American Law Schools, Baylor Law is one of the leading smaller law schools in the nation, known for its rigorous, results-oriented legal training. With more than 7,600 living alumni and a record of producing outstanding lawyers, many of whom decide upon a career in public service, the Law School boasts among its notable alumni two governors, members or former members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, two former directors of the FBI, U.S. ambassadors, federal judges, justices of the Texas Supreme Court and members of the Texas Legislature. In its law specialties rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranks Baylor Law’s trial advocacy program as among the best in the nation at No. 2, while the Law School is ranked in the Top 50 of the 2021 edition of “Best Graduate Schools.” The National Jurist ranks Baylor Law as one of the “Best Schools for Practical Training,” and in the top 15 “Best Law School Facilities” in the country. The Business Insider places Baylor Law among the top 50 law schools in the nation. Baylor Law received the 2015 American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award, making it only the third law school in the nation to be honored with the award since the award’s inception in 1984. Learn more at baylor.edu/law

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more at baylor.edu