ACC-STL Chapter Members Volunteered for Second Veteran's Estate Planning Clinic

ST. LOUIS - July 9, 2024 - PRLog -- On June 11, Association of Corporate Counsel – St. Louis Chapter members volunteered their legal experience at the Veteran's Estate Planning Clinic. With a mission to provide free legal counsel to veterans and their spouses, the team prepared simple wills, powers of attorney, beneficiary deeds, and health care directives, all with the aim of ensuring that our nation's heroes receive the support they deserve.

Eight Chapter members volunteered and assisted 19 veterans and spouses by drafting 15 wills, 13 advanced directives, 13 healthcare Power of Attorney (POA), 15 general POA, and 9 beneficiary deeds. This is the second Veterans' Estate Planning Clinic that the Chapter's members have participated in this year. The first Estate Planning Clinic members participated in was March 19.

The event was a success, thanks to the dedication of the members who went above and beyond to help veterans and their families in the St. Louis area. Essica Zink, Senior Managing Counsel, Express Scripts, Inc., and 2024 ACC STL Pro Bono Committee Chairperson thanked Donte Tamprateep, Associate General Counsel, Anheuser-Busch, and Pro Bono committee member, who coordinated the event for the Chapter and the members for giving their time and legal expertise to help veterans and their families.

Zink also thanked Scotty Allen, MVC General Counsel, for his involvement and help with building a long-term partnership with the Chapter. "We are fortunate to have members like Donte who are willing to step up and lead the effort for Estate Planning Clinic and have members who volunteer their time for such an important project. We are also fortunate to have built a strong relationship with Scotty to help guide the process," said Zink.

Allen shared that this is the eleventh Estate Planning Clinic that Chapter members have staffed since 2019. The previous 10 events resulted in the execution of 901 documents for 251 clients with an estimated savings of pro bono services worth $450,500.

This clinic is part of MVC's commitment to supporting Missouri veterans and their families.  According to the MVC 2023 Annual Report, statewide the Will Clinic Program has provided:

• 799 Wills
• 702 Advanced Directives
• 789 Healthcare POA
• 751 General POA
• $1,675,500 – Estimated savings of in-kind services for Missouri veterans

Overall, the Chapter members' efforts at the Veteran's Estate Planning Clinic were a testament to the power of community and the importance of giving back. By preserving access to legal services for those in need, the team not only made a meaningful impact on the lives of veterans, and their families but also enriched their own lives personally and professionally.