Managing Attorney Deborah Concepcion and Paralegal Mary Rodriguez Deliver Peace of Mind for Senior Citizen

At age 82, Geraldine Ueckert knew she needed to get her affairs in order. It was weighing on her mind, but she didn’t have money for an attorney – and she didn’t know where to start. She had a will, but it was ten years old. She wanted help drafting a new one; she wanted to name her son as beneficiary.

Ms. Uekert lives in Huntsville, but Lone Star Legal Aid doesn’t have an office in her town. She called our 800 number and spoke to Ms. Haney, who answers calls from 72 counties in East Texas. Ms. Haney found an attorney in the Conroe office – about 30 minutes away from Huntsville.

When you’re 82, however, thirty minutes is still too far to drive. Ms. Uekert’s son would have to take her to the office. Attorney Deborah Concepcion spoke to Ms. Uekert over the phone. Then she began drafting a will and several other planning documents. Ms. Uekert needed to establish power of attorney (both medical and statutory.) Her son would serve, but they needed a legal document to formalize his role.

Paralegal Mary Rodriguez solved the problem. At first, Ms. Uekert’s son would drive her, but they couldn’t find a time that worked for both of them. Maybe Ms. Uekert could print the documents at home? No, she didn’t have a printer. They pushed the meeting back, but still couldn’t find a time. Concepcion’s assistant, Linda Hyatt, called the county judge in Huntsville. The judge’s staff agreed to print the documents and Ms. Uekert went to the courthouse. Mary Rodriguez drove thirty minutes from Conroe. They still needed two disinterested witnesses, which she found. The assembled group sat at a desk in the courthouse and worked through the documents. After Ms. Uekert signed each one, the witnesses signed, and Ms. Rodriguez notarized it. Thankfully, Ms. Rodriquez is a commissioned notary, like most of our paralegal staff.

“Lone Star Legal Aid is a Godsend service and is such a valuable resource to the community,” Ms. Uekert said when she called. She thanked attorney Deborah Concepcion and paralegal Mary Rodriguez for their help.

If you or a loved one needs estate planning assistance, don’t wait. We can help you secure your future and bring peace of mind to you and your family.

Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income populations by providing free legal education, advice, and representation. LSLA serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines, who live in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties in Southwest Arkansas. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org.

Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org