Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.
 
Serving the Tennessee counties of Shelby, Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton.
Hablas Espanol? Póngase en contacto con nosotros en el (901) 523-8822.
Mals 40th

Welcome to Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.’s Website
A Case For Your Support!

Harrison D. McIverMemphis Area Legal Services, Inc. (MALS) entered its fifth decade with the same commitment and determination that inspired 30 members of the legal profession in the wake of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death to coalesce around a shared vision to establish an organization whose single purpose was to provide means by which the legal problems of the poor could be addressed.

Today, MALS continues that tradition of "excellence in legal advocacy," as a non-profit firm geared to provide the highest quality legal assistance possible to the most vulnerable residents of our community.

Even with a dedicated staff, it cannot meet the compelling need today that is more acute because the "justice gap" is widening only compounded by the economic woes of our time. As the recent census reveals that more than 57 million individuals live at or below the poverty line, representing more than a 14 million increase since the 2000 Decennial Census.

Your support for the 2011 Campaign is more crucial today than ever before for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), MALS’ largest funder (40%), is facing a new threat in the 2012 federal budgeting and appropriation processes.

We thank you, our supporters, who softened the blow and impact in 2011. In 2012, your support is being called on once again, as the cornerstone of our democracy - "equal justice under law" - will be undermined, should the proposed cuts occur.

What can you do? Simply, volunteer your time willingly and generously contribute $300.00 minimally, or just give what you are able to give to the 2011 Campaign for Equal Justice, chaired by George T. "Buck" Lewis.

Again, welcome to our website. We hope you find it informative and leave with a better understanding of the various activities and important services we provide our community.
read more

Client Services

SENIOR ISSUES
ADVANCED DIRECTIVES AND ESTATE PLANNING

MALS may be able to help if you are seeking assistance with the following:

  • preparation and execution of various Advance Directives, including but not limited to a Last Will and Testament and Powers of Attorney
  • addressing the physical, psychological, emotional and/or financial abuse or exploitation of a senior adult
  • a Medicaid problem for a person living in a nursing or boarding home
  • a Qualified Income Trust to preserve Medicaid eligibility

Advanced Directives, why are they important?

Advanced Directives ensure that your wishes are carried out when you are not able to communicate them. There are a number of Advanced Directive tools available to you.

Powers of Attorney:

  1. Financial Durable Power of Attorney – allows a person you appoint called an attorney-in-fact to act on your behalf for financial purposes. It may take effect immediately or at some point in time and is not affected if you become disabled
  2. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care/ Appointment of Health Care Agent – names someone your agent to make health care decisions for you when you are not able to

Medical Directives:

  1. Living Will – instructs your health care provider whether or not to provide artificially provided nourishment and fluids if you are terminally ill or in a vegetative state
  2. Advanced Care Plan – tells your medical provider what type of medical treatment you want to receive if you are unable to make treatment decisions. The form also provides a place to appoint a person to be you health care “agent” to make decisions about your medical care if you become unable to do so.

To be valid, the Care Plan must either be notarized or witnessed by two disinterested adults.

Last Will & Testament

What is it?

A legally binding document directing who will receive your property at your death. A person who makes a will is called a testator.

Why do you need one?

  1. To direct where and to whom your property will go after your death
  2. If you die without a will, your estate will be distributed according to state law. The law may not distribute your property how you want it to be distributed.
  3. With a will, you can appoint a personal representative or executor to carry out the terms of your will.

Will Revocation

A will may be revoked by physically destroying it, signing a new will, or revoking it in writing.

Requirements for a will

  1. Legally competent – 18 years of age and sound mind
  2. Sound mind – acting voluntarily and free of undue influence. You must understand such things as what property you own, its value, and whom you are leaving it to
  3. Testator signature – testator must sign the will in front of 2 witnesses
  4. Witnesses signature – witnesses must sign the will in the presence of the testator and each other

Handwritten Will

  1. Will must be entirely in the testator’s handwriting
  2. Signed by the testator
  3. Following the testator’s death, the authenticity of the testator’s handwriting must be proved by 2 individuals

It is recommended a will be prepared by an experienced attorney

Click here for a PDF copy of this information (Printer Friendly)

Click here for further information (Printer Friendly)
MALS