Anoka County Attorney Robert M.A. Johnson was
honored recently by the Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA)
for his efforts to establish the “Wills for Heroes” program in
Minnesota. The program provides free basic estate planning to all
first responders including police officers, firefighters,
paramedics, EMTs, and corrections and probation officers. Local
attorneys volunteer their time to draft wills, healthcare
directives, and financial powers of attorney for first responders
and their spouses or widow/widowers who have assets of less than
$500,000.
Johnson first heard about the Wills for Heroes
program from Jim Crawford, retired Golden Valley Police Chief and
LEMA founder, a year ago and soon after approached the Minnesota
State Bar Association with the idea of implementing the program
here. Founded in South Carolina shortly after September 11, 2001,
the program is currently available in five other states (South
Carolina, Arizona, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia). A committee of the
Probate and Trust Section of the state bar association has developed
and will oversee the program in Minnesota.
“First responders have the potential of facing
dangerous situations each and every day,” Johnson said. “This is one
small thing we can do to provide some piece of mind for people who
risk their lives for others on a daily basis.”
The free legal clinics are held in police or fire
stations across the state using laptops and portable printers
donated by the state bar association. Participants are provided
information and fill out a detailed questionnaire in advance so they
have the appropriate paperwork when they meet with the attorney. By
receiving the questions ahead of time, participants are able to
think through the decisions that need to be made and discuss
important issues with their spouse or other trusted friends, Johnson
said. The goal is to complete the entire process in one meeting.
For more information about the Wills for Heroes
program, visit the LEMA Web site at www.mnlema.org or the Minnesota
Bar Association Web site at www.mnbar.org.
CUTLINE
Anoka County Attorney Robert M.A. Johnson, center,
accepts a framed print in appreciation for his efforts to bring the
Wills for Heroes program to Minnesota from David Pecchia, left, Lino
Lakes Police Chief and Jeffrey Beahen, Elk River Police Chief, on
behalf of the Law Enforcement Memorial Association.
download high resolution image for print
