Probate Clinic - Volunteers Wanted
by Amy Radbill

Each Wednesday and Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., SCBA and VLSP co-sponsor a free probate clinic at the Family Relations Courthouse on Power Inn Road. Funded by a grant from the family relations court, the clinic is a vital resource for low-income clients who wish to apply for guardianship or conservatorship as well as for those who need advice on small estate issues.

Joan Maredyth, a staff attorney with VLSP, says the vast majority of clients who come to the clinic require assistance with guardianship applications. Many of these cases involve a grandmother, aunt or uncle. The process can be complicated: Every effort must be made to locate relatives who may have custody rights to the child, and cases may involve groups of children who have only one parent in common. In some instances, speed is essential to protect a child or keep a child in a stable home environment. Invariably, guardianship applications require a great deal of paperwork, an aspect of the process that can be quite daunting to the inexperienced applicant.

The clinic is free to clients who meet VLSP's income guidelines. According to Chamandeep Grewal, the clinic coordinator, appointments are generally made in advance, though walk-in clients are helped whenever possible. When a client arrives, a student volunteer or intern completes the intake information before assigning the person to an attorney. The interns are also available to help clients complete any forms they need to file. Depending on the complexity of the case, an attorney may spend from one-half hour to two hours with an individual client.

The clinic's services are in great demand, and VLSP is presently looking for more attorneys to help counsel clients. While they certainly welcome volunteers with expertise in guardianship and general probate matters, VLSP can provide training and mentorship to any attorney interested in serving the low-income community. Attorneys can earn MCLE credits by completing one of VLSP's training seminars, and those who volunteer for the clinic receive advice and ongoing support from the staff attorneys and more experienced volunteers. New volunteers also receive a comprehensive homework package, which makes it easy to learn how to complete guardianship forms. While working on cases for clinic clients, attorneys are able to use VLSP's office space and equipment.

But the real benefits are the intangible ones. Maredyth, a family law specialist, says she has enjoyed the chance to become more knowledgeable about probate law and to advise clients on cases different to those she sees in her own practice: "Every week I learn new things." Although she has always done pro bono work for VLSP, she was very pleased to have an opportunity to work on staff because she wanted to do more consistent public benefit work than she can from her private practice. Working with VLSP's clients has been rewarding as well. "The clients are very grateful; you get a lot of hugs! If we don't help them, most of them won't be able to get legal assistance."

Scott Paul, a volunteer attorney with the probate clinic since May, also cites learning a new area of law and working with the clients as major benefits of volunteering. But he adds that he really values the chance to work with VLSP's staff and the other volunteers, "They're all really nice people, and it's a good chance to meet other attorneys."

VLSP's pro per clinics and pro bono services help meet the desperate need in our community for free legal assistance. The staff and volunteers are a joyful, committed group of professionals who are dedicated to improving people's lives. They need help to continue doing it. Volunteering needn't take more than a few hours out of your year, and you may get hooked! After all, as Maredyth says, "If you can help an abandoned or endangered child find safety and security with a court-appointed guardian, you go home feeling good."

If you are interested in volunteering, please call 875-3406 for more information.