The YLD Habitat for Humanity Wills Clinic Committee holds clinics around the state providing wills, health care powers of attorney and living wills free-of-charge to Habitat for Humanity homeowners. No wills experience is necessary; training and forms will be provided. Attorney and non-attorney volunteers are needed. The clinics fulfill a critical need in the community, so please consider volunteering!

2013 Clinic schedule and contact information:

History
The Habitat for Humanity Wills Clinic Committee was formed in response to a great need in the community brought to the attention of YLD by the Central S.C. Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Habitat homeowners in South Carolina were not able to afford attorneys to execute wills, and as a result, there were times when Habitat homeowners passed away without a will, making the ownership of the house unclear. Habitat homeowners are required to pay a mortgage on their houses, and when a homeowner dies without a will, the associated responsibility of paying the mortgage becomes unclear. This situation put Habitat homeowners, their families and the Habitat organization in a very tough position. In response, YLD agreed to provide wills, health care powers of attorney and living wills to Habitat homeowners though a series of clinics throughout the state. In its first year, more than 100 volunteers served 175 homeowners!  

2013 Count 
Homeowners helped: 108
Volunteers: 72

Process
Homeowners complete an intake form prior to their clinic dates, which contains questions created to help them consider how they want their documents completed. On the date of the clinic, homeowners are assigned an attorney who has a will, health care power of attorney and living will on his/her laptop, ready to be filled out. The attorney and homeowner work together to complete the forms in accordance with the homeowner’s wishes. The forms are printed and fully executed at a notary and witness station, and homeowners leave with fully executed documents.

Committee members