Final Lawyer Call-In Program for 2012 Answered Consumer Estate Planning Questions

I always enjoy reporting out the success of one of the State Bar of Arizona’s signature initiatives: the Lawyers on Call program, an effort made possible by a partnership with the Phoenix NBC affiliate, 12 News KPNX –TV. This is an update about the program’s final 2012 event, which was held recently.

We’re considering an article in Arizona Attorney on the value that comes from volunteer lawyers answering legal questions. I’m sure we’ll include a focus on the generous lawyers who participate in Lawyers on Call.

Here is the information from the recent show, courtesy of my colleague Alberto Rodriguez:

The following is a recap from the October 2, 2012, Lawyers On Call public service program, on the topic of estate planning, wills and trust issues.

The lawyer volunteers were:

• Bob Ciancola
• Steve Evans
• David Horowitz
• Scott T. Jensen
• Lynn Keeling
• Bob Lord
• Brian Starr
• Ronald G. Wilson

The volunteer attorneys answered an impressive 169 calls on estate planning issues. Some of the most frequently asked questions were related to:

• Tithing of assets
• Estate taxes
• How can I break my lease?
• Effects of beneficiary designations
• Trust administration
• Costs associated with estate planning
• Differences between wills and trusts
• Living and holographic wills
• Necessity of retaining a lawyer for estate planning

Four of the eight attorneys were first-time volunteers. Calls were consistent from 5 to 7 p.m., which led to another successful phone bank.

Lawyers On Call has helped 603 Arizonans in 2012 and more than 1,526 Arizonans in 2011. The program has helped more than 14,462 people in the eight years 12 News KPNX -TV has broadcast the program.

This was the final Lawyers on Call public service program for 2012. The 2013 schedule will be determined and released in upcoming months.

Follow @azatty

 

Lawyers of @AZStateBar Pitch in for @UnivisionAZ Consumer Call-in Show

As I’ve talked about before, the gap between legal services and those who need them has never been wider. Fortunately, many, many lawyers do more than gaze into that chasm; they opt to offer their time and expertise on a free or reduced-cost basis.

October traditionally includes what the profession calls “Pro Bono Week,” a time to focus on the legal needs of many people. But lawyers give throughout the year, as we saw at an event last week.

The following news comes from my colleague Alberto Rodriguez at the State Bar of Arizona.

The State Bar and Univision 33 hosted Abogados a Su Lado (“Lawyers at Your Side”) on Thursday, August 23. The evening’s topic was personal-injury issues.

There were seven volunteer attorneys participating in the public service program (for this blog post, I’ve provided links where I could locate them): John Alston, Jess Gulbrandsen, Ridge Hicks, Jose M. Leon, Carlos Slack-Mendez, Patricio Smith and Julio Zapata.

The lawyers fielded 76 calls during the two-hour phone bank. The following is a small sample of the questions that were received:

• How long do I have to file a claim after a collision?
• How long does it take to resolve a claim after it has been filed?
• Can I change attorneys if I am not satisfied with my current attorney?
• Can I file an injury claim if the vehicle does not exhibit major damage?
• Can I file a claim if I don’t have a driver’s license?

All seven of the Abogados a Su Lado volunteers were first-time participants. They were satisfied with the quality of the questions overall and were excited to have participated in the Abogados a Su Lado public service program. Calls were consistent from 5 to 7 p.m., which led to a successful phone bank.

Congratulations and thanks to all the participating lawyers.

Follow @azatty

 

Successful Lawyer Call-In Show Focuses on Bankruptcy, Foreclosure

My State Bar of Arizona colleague Alberto Rodriguez provided the following in regard to Tuesday evening’s Lawyers On Call program:

The following is a recap from the February 7 Lawyers On Call public-service program.

Date: February 7, 2012

Topic: Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Issues

Volunteers: Eight Attorneys (Brian Blum, Diane Drain, Doug Edmunds, Tracy Essig, Macie Hawkes, Kristin Mathers, Leonard Sominsky, and Madeleine Wanslee)

Summary:

Volunteer attorneys answered an impressive 158 calls on bankruptcy and foreclosure issues.

Most-frequently-asked questions were:

• How do I modify my current loan?
• How do I avoid foreclosure? What are my options? Can I simply walk-away?
• Is a short sale a good alternative to a foreclosure?
• What are tenant rights after a foreclosure?
• What is the process of a bankruptcy? Should I pursue it?
• How do I deal with debt collectors?
• What types of bankruptcy are there? How do I know which is right for me?

Three of the eight attorneys were first-time volunteers. They were satisfied with the quality of the questions overall and were excited to have participated in the Lawyers On Call public service program. Calls were consistent from 5 to 7 p.m., which led to another successful phone bank.

Interesting call of the evening: Macie Hawkes received one call from an individual residing in Massachusetts. He mentioned that he had been researching free legal advice and stumbled upon the State Bar’s Lawyers On Call public service program. He set his calendar—taking time zone into consideration—and patiently waited a few weeks for his chance to speak with one of our volunteer attorneys.

Lawyers On Call has helped 158 Arizonans in 2012 and more than 1,526 Arizonans in 2011. The program has helped more than 14,010 people in the eight years that 12 News KPNX -TV has broadcast the program.

The next Lawyers On Call will be held on May 8, 2012, and will address divorce and child support issues.

For more on Lawyers On Call, click here.

Follow @azatty

 

Lawyers on Call Tonight

Lawyers on Call is a public service program sponsored by the State Bar of Arizona and Phoenix’s 12 News KPNX TV. On the first Tuesday of the month, members of the public can have their legal questions answered by volunteer lawyers.

Tonight, the topics are foreclosure and bankruptcy.

Thanks in advance to the lawyers who are pitching in pro bono to answer questions:

• James Andrews II
• Richard Chambliss
• Tracy Essig
• Scott Hyder
• Susan Johnson
• Jeff Katz
• Cristina Perez
• Shawn Stone
• Andrea Wimmer

More information is here and here.

Follow @azatty

 

Family Law Attorneys Step Up

Good-news follow-up from the State Bar of Arizona:

Last Thursday, December 1, the State Bar and Univision 33 launched the Spanish-language version of Lawyers on Call, Abogados a su Lado. This partnership has been a long time in the making. It is the first step in helping to close the gap in the need for consumer legal services in the Spanish monolingual community in Phoenix and Tucson. The following is a recap from last night’s Abogados a su Lado public service program.

Date: December 1, 2011

Topic: Divorce and Child Support Issues

Volunteers: Five Attorneys:

• Sylvina Cotto
• Esteban Escobedo
• Mark Hawkins
• Sarah Youngblood
• Yvonne Yragui

Summary:

Volunteer attorneys fielded an impressive 112 calls during the two-hour phone bank focused on divorce and child support issues. Most frequently asked questions were:

• How can I request/enforce/modify child support?
• What is the divorce process? Where do I begin?
• Do I need to hire an attorney for my divorce?
• How can I request/enforce/modify spousal maintenance?
• How do I request/enforce/modify custody rights?
• Can I seek back-pay for unpaid child support?
• How can I file for divorce if my spouse lives in another state/country?
• How can I seek child support if my spouse lives in another state/country?

Volunteers were satisfied with the quality of the questions overall and were excited to have participated in the first ever, Abogados a su Lado public service program. Calls were consistent from 5 to 7 p.m., which led to a successful phone bank.

Follow @azatty

 

Divorce the Subject of Volunteer Lawyers Event

The State Bar of Arizona hosts another in its series of successful lawyer-volunteer events this evening. “Lawyers on Call,” the successful longtime partnership with Phoenix’s 12 News KPNX TV, will focus tonight on divorce and child support. Read the Arizona Republic story here.

The event is held the first Tuesday of every month. As always, people with questions may call 602-258-1212 from 5 to 7 p.m.

I wrote before about the event and its remarkable track record of service to the public. That story includes the Bar’s upcoming roster of topics through the end of the year.

Congratulations and thanks to tonight’s volunteer lawyers (click on their names for more information):

• Jennifer Lambert
• Clarence Calvin
• Jennifer Moshier
• Cole Bastian
• Greg Davis
• Laura Gillis
• Jennifer Shick
• Heidi Lukacsik

(The news story spelled one lawyer’s name wrong; it’s not Heidi Kukascik, but Lukacsik.)

Follow @azatty

 

Attorneys Give Back With Lawyers on Call

In 2011, the State Bar continues its successful partnership with Phoenix’s 12 News KPNX TV in broadcasting Lawyers On Call. This public service has been offered for seven years, and it allows members of the public to get their legal questions answered by volunteer lawyers. And the Bar is always pleased to hear from lawyers who want to participate.

When Is It On?

Lawyers on Call is offered on the first Tuesday of every month. Lawyers answer calls from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The number to call is 602.258.1212. (Attorneys will be available at that phone number only at that date and time; the number is not in service at other times.)

What Questions Are Answered?

Each month, the program features a different topic of law (see schedule below). The lawyers who volunteer for the phone bank each month have experience in that area of law.

Who Can Participate?

Anyone can call, and Arizona lawyers are invited to answer questions as part of the phone bank. The event is covered on Channel 12 on the first Tuesday of the month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

What Is Scheduled?

August 2 …………………….. Immigration

Sept. 6 …………………………Divorce and child support

Oct. 4 …………………………. Employment law and wrongful termination

Nov. 8 ………………………… Landlord and tenant

Dec. 6 ………………………… Foreclosures and bankruptcy

2012 ………………………….. Topics to be announced

Lawyers on Call By the Numbers (2010)

• Total number of people helped in 2010: 1,676
• Hours of free legal advice: 194 hours
• Approximate value of free legal advice: $48,500
• Number of phone banks held in 2010: 11
• Number of participating attorneys: 97

In 2011 so far, Lawyers On Call has helped more than 923 Arizonans. The program has helped more than 13,249 people in its seven years.

For more information or to participate, write to Alberto.Rodriguez@staff.azbar.org.

Follow @azatty