HBA Providing Wills for Habitat Homeowners

Tommy Proctor announces the Habitat Wills Initiative at the HBA Committee Chairs Breakfast on June 12, 2007 at The Houston Club

In 2007 HBA President Tommy Proctor announced that the HBA will implement a 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), provide wills and medical directives to homeowners. 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 is 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. If you are interested in volunteering for the program to provide wills for Habitat homeowners, please contact Paula Cassidy at (713)228-0735, extension 119.