Community Law Program Helps Low-Income Seniors in St. Pete Get Free Legal Services They Otherwise Could Not Afford

“This Community Law Program is great.  Living strictly on Social Security as my income, there is no way I could afford to hire an attorney to help me write a new will and the advance directive documents that I need.  I am really greatful for this program.” – Isabella Stryker, Old Northeast senior resident

Over the past several years, hundreds of low-income local seniors have been able to obtain various elder law services at the Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N., thanks to the St. Petersburg Bar Association's “Community Law Program.” 

On the first Friday of every month, from 9 a.m. to noon, an elder law attorney from Fisher & Sauls is available to help anyone 60 or older with limited financial resources (based on a percentage of income within U.S. poverty guidelines). 

In particular, according to Kimberly Rodgers, executive director of the program, there is a strong “focus” on preparing wills and advance directives, such as living wills, powers of attorney and health care surrogates.  

When it comes to the legal needs of older citizens, advance directives are a high priority and for good reason. According to a study of 3,746 people, published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine, more than one in four elderly Americans lacks the capacity to make his or her own medical care decisions at the end of life. 

However, the study showed among those elderly who had advanced directives, they almost always received the care they wanted.  Hence, as noted by lead author for the published study, Dr. Maria Silveria, “Our research shows that a substantial number of older adults need someone else to make decisions about whether aggressive, limited or comfort care should be provided at the end of life.” 

Someone who can easily relate to this need, who was recently at the Sunshine Center for the Community Law Program, is Christine Hill.  Christine has been dealing with health problems related to her heart and is trying to get her legal matters in order, while she is still of sound mind and body. 

Her main objective, with the help of the Community Law Program, is to have an attorney draw up for her advance directives and make them “iron clad.”  She is looking forward to having peace of mind knowing the individual she wishes to be her power of attorney will have that responsibility and not an estranged relative she is worried might try to take over. 

“I didn’t know about this program until I called Legal Services and they referred it to me.  I am on a limited income so this is wonderful.”

For more information on the Community Law Program, please call 727-582-7480 or send an e-mail to: clp@lawprogram.org. No appointment for the monthly program at the Sunshine Center is necessary; clients are served on a first-come basis. It is recommended that you call in advance to be sure you qualify and get on a list for when you plan to attend.