Lawyers Back Inaugural Hospice Make A Will Week

Auckland law firms have responded in droves, to Mercy Hospice Auckland's request to assist them with a new initiative that aims to educate the public of the importance of having an up to date and accurate will.

Local solicitors will volunteer their writing services (between 60-90 minutes) to form a simple will and in exchange for this service a voluntary donation (approximately the cost of a simple will $120) is requested for Mercy Hospice Auckland.

Jan Nichols, Chief Executive of Mercy Hospice Auckland says about 25 legal firms are involved.

"With the support of the Auckland District Law Society, the reaction has been fantastic, not only in terms of the number law firms that are keen to be involved but also for their support for the concept and for Mercy Hospice Auckland. It's hugely encouraging. Also, we are seeing lawyers prepared to participate from right across Auckland so everyone in Auckland should have ready access to a participating firm during Make a Will Week."

Marcus Martin, Chairman of the Auckland District Law Society says many people are unaware of how important a will is, regardless of their age and stage in life.

"The reality is that people don't always realise what will happen if they don't make a will. They also think it's something you have time to sort in the future but it's in everyone's interests that people have a will. It ensures your wishes are adhered to, without a will there is no guarantee that this will happen. Of course the next step is to keep it up to date and Make A Will Week will hopefully remind people about this also."

Mrs Nichols says Make a Will Week got a real boost when television celebrity Nicole Whippy, who plays Casey in Outrageous Fortune came on board to support it.

"Nicole is a great advocate for Make a Will Week as she doesn't have a will yet. She now has a young child and together with her partner they have recognised the importance of sorting a will."

Ms Whippy says it wasn't until she had a child she suddenly became aware of the consequences of not having a will.

"As a parent your sense of responsibility is so much more heightened. My partner, Tom, and I realised that if something happened to us we hadn't organised what would happen with our house, sentimental jewellery let alone our beautiful daughter Pearl. Although, I must confess our lawyer had been at us about sorting a will."

Nicole's lawyer, Lianne Meyer from Rick Williams Associates law firm, has also committed to assisting Hospice during Make a Will Week.

"It's a brilliant concept, I'm sure it will get people thinking about a will and with the added bonus of helping Hospice, everyone involved benefits."

Ms Whippy says while she hasn't had any direct contact with Hospice, she is well aware of the work they do in the community.

"Hospice provides a vital service, which is not only free of charge but most importantly allows people to face their life limiting illness with professional support and highly skilled people at their side. What would we do without them? It doesn't bare thinking about. I'm thrilled to be able to support them plus it means we'll finally sort a much needed will!"

Click here to view Nicole talk to Good Morning about life after Outrageous Fortune, raising a toddler and supporting the "Make A Will Week" initiative.

Mrs Nichols says one aspect people might like to consider when having a will written is a bequest.

"It's something I have done and while I have a unique perspective being chief executive of hospice, the difference that we can make to the lives of patients and families that we care for with additional funding, through the likes of bequests, is significant. Whilst very much a personal decision, I hope that this initiative will encourage others to do the same."

Enthused by the interest expressed by the legal community, Mrs Nichols says that Mercy Hospice is running a specific public event, at the beginning of Make a Will Week, which will take place on Monday 28 at Freyberg Place on High Street from 12-2.30pm. There will be an opportunity, over a bite of paella, to speak with members of Mercy Hospice Auckland and some of the legal firms involved in a more informal setting.

"The idea is to make it very non-threatening for people to chat to a lawyer about getting a simple will sorted or an existing will updated and support a great cause at the same time, while nibbling on some paella for lunch!"

Make a Will Week begins 28th February, 2011, for more information and to find out participating legal firms near you, click here.