AUBURN - A free law clinic provided pro bono face-to-face consultations for senior citizens with seven local attorneys on legal issues facing older adults Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Auburn.
Attorney David Stapleton, secretary of the elder law section for the New York State Bar Association, said the pro bono unit of the Bar Association became active in elder law in the fall of 2006. An executive committee officer, he contacted the Cayuga County Office for the Aging, and together they were able to effectively start the service locally.
“After our successful start in Cayuga County,” Stapleton said, “I became coordinator of similar clinics throughout New York state. Questions are not limited to elder law,” he said. “There is no limit to the topic. Many times all people want is direction.”
He said there is at least one clinic for each of the 12 judicial districts in the state, with more than one clinic in some of the judicial districts.
“The clinics in Cayuga County are the most well attended,” he said, “even compared to those near New York City.” He said that the city clinics don't have inter-connected networks and contacts available like Cayuga County.
Nancy Siefka, director of the Cayuga County Office for the Aging, said that this pro bono legal service is offered both in spring and fall.
Seniors with appointments stopped at the registration desk, where they were given handouts of a DVD, “Never Too Old to be Well,” explaining a number of services available in Cayuga County. They also got a packet for health care proxies, and a copy of the senior newspaper if they didn't receive it.
“A lot of seniors don't know if they need an attorney,” Siefka said. “Most of them were so appreciative,” she said. “Many people don't know what direction to go in, and this is a perfect way to get some direction.”
Many clients found out about this program through “Senior News and Views,” a senior newsletter sent to more than 8,000 homes in the area by the Office for the Aging to residents 60 or above, Siefka said.
“We're happy to mail it to anybody who requests it,” she said.
“At one time they took everyone 60 or older from the tax rolls to put on the list. There were more than 10,000 names sent by bulk mail,” Siefka said. “The post office complained that many addresses were wrong and they were getting the newspapers back. Some people even called to say they weren't senior citizens.”
David and Stephen Cadwallader of Auburn, not senior citizens, sought advice for their father, David Sr., 78, who had received letters from the city about the state of his home. He has lived in it since 1983. He was cited for peeling paint and for needing a new roof, among other things, but to do them all at once would be a financial burden. They were anxious to get some sound advice about where to turn.
“I feel a lot better leaving than I did when I was coming in,” David Cadwallader Jr. said. “We got several good suggestions.”
Marchell Teodecki and her mother, Genevieve, both of Auburn, came in to discuss an accident her mother had in a public place.
“We were offered a settlement,” Marchell said, “but no one ever spoke to my mother.” After Genevieve sent medical bills to the insurance company of the establishment where the accident occurred, she was offered a settlement. She wanted to know if it was fair.
“They insisted that she take an ambulance, then she got the bills, Marchell said. Both she and her mother were very pleased with the advice they received.
Peter and Joann Jackobsen came with concerns about Joann's mother, Flora Burdick, 86, and wanted to understand the difference between power of attorney, durable power of attorney, and health care proxies as well as living wills.
Fran Fiermonte came to inquire about selling a house without a real estate agent and wondered whether that was a smart thing to do. She already had an offer on her house.
“It's a good thing for lawyers to do pro bono work,” attorney Robert Bergan said. “Some of the situations are unusual, not what we hear on an everyday basis.”
The legal process appears to be very complicated to some, when there's sometimes an easy solution.
“It was very meaningful for me,” Bergan said.
Other attorneys volunteering their services included Earl Thurston, David Thurston, Pat Carbonaro, David Tehan and Louis Contiguglia.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
“After our successful start in Cayuga County,” Stapleton said, “I became coordinator of similar clinics throughout New York state. Questions are not limited to elder law,” he said. “There is no limit to the topic. Many times all people want is direction.”
He said there is at least one clinic for each of the 12 judicial districts in the state, with more than one clinic in some of the judicial districts.
“The clinics in Cayuga County are the most well attended,” he said, “even compared to those near New York City.” He said that the city clinics don't have inter-connected networks and contacts available like Cayuga County.
Nancy Siefka, director of the Cayuga County Office for the Aging, said that this pro bono legal service is offered both in spring and fall.
Seniors with appointments stopped at the registration desk, where they were given handouts of a DVD, “Never Too Old to be Well,” explaining a number of services available in Cayuga County. They also got a packet for health care proxies, and a copy of the senior newspaper if they didn't receive it.
“A lot of seniors don't know if they need an attorney,” Siefka said. “Most of them were so appreciative,” she said. “Many people don't know what direction to go in, and this is a perfect way to get some direction.”
Many clients found out about this program through “Senior News and Views,” a senior newsletter sent to more than 8,000 homes in the area by the Office for the Aging to residents 60 or above, Siefka said.
“We're happy to mail it to anybody who requests it,” she said.
“At one time they took everyone 60 or older from the tax rolls to put on the list. There were more than 10,000 names sent by bulk mail,” Siefka said. “The post office complained that many addresses were wrong and they were getting the newspapers back. Some people even called to say they weren't senior citizens.”
David and Stephen Cadwallader of Auburn, not senior citizens, sought advice for their father, David Sr., 78, who had received letters from the city about the state of his home. He has lived in it since 1983. He was cited for peeling paint and for needing a new roof, among other things, but to do them all at once would be a financial burden. They were anxious to get some sound advice about where to turn.
“I feel a lot better leaving than I did when I was coming in,” David Cadwallader Jr. said. “We got several good suggestions.”
Marchell Teodecki and her mother, Genevieve, both of Auburn, came in to discuss an accident her mother had in a public place.
“We were offered a settlement,” Marchell said, “but no one ever spoke to my mother.” After Genevieve sent medical bills to the insurance company of the establishment where the accident occurred, she was offered a settlement. She wanted to know if it was fair.
“They insisted that she take an ambulance, then she got the bills, Marchell said. Both she and her mother were very pleased with the advice they received.
Peter and Joann Jackobsen came with concerns about Joann's mother, Flora Burdick, 86, and wanted to understand the difference between power of attorney, durable power of attorney, and health care proxies as well as living wills.
Fran Fiermonte came to inquire about selling a house without a real estate agent and wondered whether that was a smart thing to do. She already had an offer on her house.
“It's a good thing for lawyers to do pro bono work,” attorney Robert Bergan said. “Some of the situations are unusual, not what we hear on an everyday basis.”
The legal process appears to be very complicated to some, when there's sometimes an easy solution.
“It was very meaningful for me,” Bergan said.
Other attorneys volunteering their services included Earl Thurston, David Thurston, Pat Carbonaro, David Tehan and Louis Contiguglia.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.