And they’re doing it in a close partnership with the Cleveland/Bradley County Public Library.
In keeping with a pledge last November to host a free Community Legal Forum each quarter, the association of Cleveland and Bradley County lawyers will host its second such seminar on Thursday, March 31, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the library.
While the inaugural forum featured issues related to basic family law, this one will concentrate on preparations for doling out inherited property among surviving family members through Wills, Trusts and Estates.
Cleveland attorney Jack Tapper, who worked to organize the Legal Forum series and who moderated the first seminar, will be one of three participating attorneys and will again lead the panel’s discussions. Others will be Ginger Wilson Buchanan and Marcia McMurray.
The broad gamut of issues to be covered will include issues concerning probate and what it really means, revocable living trusts and whether they are needed, the aftermath of dying without a Will, TennCare and its relation to parents’ assets “and whether you can save Mama’s home,” powers of attorney and what to consider when signing them, Tennessee gift tax and inheritance tax, administering estates (such as an intestate estate), the functions of an executor, Living Wills, Advance Health Care Directives and other topics of interest as presented by the panel members and asked by audience members.
“This is the public’s chance to find out what they need to know about Wills and estates issues in a friendly open forum, free of charge,” Tapper said. “We’re looking forward to an enthusiastic turnout as part of an ongoing public service project of our county Bar to support ‘equal access to justice’ for all citizens.”
All attorneys participating in the Legal Forum series are volunteering their time, talents and knowledge of the respective fields.
The forum won’t be all about presentations. Time will be allotted for audience members to participate, interact with panel members and to ask questions whether generic or family-specific issues that might be of interest to other audience members.
Although seating is first-come, first-served, area residents planning to attend are urged to call ahead at 423-472-2163 (Extension 126) at the library to confirm attendance.
Last November’s Legal Forum was well attended because of the subject matter, the expertise of the panelists and because these forums offer a unique opportunity for area residents to receive professional advice and information at no charge.
The public library is located at 795 Church Street.
