HBA to Provide Wills for Habitat Homeowners

Tommy Proctor announces the Habitat Wills Initiative at the HBA Committee Chairs Breakfast on June 12 at The Houston Club

HBA President Tommy Proctor has announced that the HBA will implement a new program in partnership with Houston Habitat for Humanity to provide free wills for new Habitat homeowners in Houston. Volunteer attorneys, working through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program (HVLP), will provide wills and medical directives to approximately 125 homeowners during 2007. By qualifying for a Habitat home, the homeowners also meet eligibility requirements for services through HVLP. �Most of these new homeowners have not previously had wills, but as property owners it is important that they make plans for the future,� said Proctor. �This seems a natural extension of our Habitat program and a service that lawyers are uniquely qualified to provide.�

In addition, the HBA will develop an educational component for homeowners on wills, medical directives and estate planning that will be taught by volunteer attorneys. Habitat homeowners must meet certain financial guidelines to obtain a mortgage, attend classes that prepare them for homeownership, and agree to work on other Habitat homes, as well as their own.

Since 1997, the HBA has partnered with Houston Habitat for Humanity to build nine houses that have become home for 36 people, including 24 children. During 2006-2007, the HBA�s Habitat Committee celebrated the 10th anniversary of the program by building, for the first time, two Habitat homes in one bar year. During the 2007-2008 bar year, the HBA hopes to continue that new tradition by once again building two homes. If you are interested in volunteering for the program to provide wills for Habitat homeowners, please contact Marisa Flores at (713)228-0735.