Veterans Initiative
The Veterans Initiative of the VOLS Senior Law Project strives to empower older New Yorkers who served in the military to age in place and with dignity, access their legal rights, and live without fear of homelessness. We partner with pro bono attorneys to provide wills, powers of attorney, and other essential advance directives and life planning documents to older adult veterans with limited resources in New York City. These documents enable our clients to ensure that their dying wishes are fulfilled and to maintain income and avoid homelessness and enable our clients’ caregivers to provide the care and services necessary for our clients to access health care and age in place. Through our strong community partnerships, the Veterans Initiative also provides support and trainings to social workers, health care professionals, and family caregivers.
The Importance of Life Planning
Obtaining your Life Planning Documents is now more important than ever. Please watch our VOLS Life Planning Documents Basics video to learn more about each document VOLS can help you obtain free of charge:
- Last Will & Testament
- Power of Attorney
- Health Care Proxy
- Living Will
- Control of Remains Form
How to Access Our Services
Call, Email, or Download our intake form.
347-521-5704 • seniorlaw@volsprobono.org
Additional Resources for Veterans & Their Loved Ones
53%
Proportion of NYC veteran population age 65+
1.5 M
# of veterans living in poverty in the US
210,808
Veterans in NYC
What's New: Veterans Initiative
NYC Veterans Law Working Group Submit Statement Highlighting the Importance of Veteran Focused Legal Service Programs and Law School Clinical Programs Focused on Assisting New York’s Military and Veteran Population.
The VOLS Veterans Initiative joined other members of the New York City Veterans Law Working Group in submitting a statement…
Chief Judge’s Hearing on Civil Legal Services in New York
The NY Veterans Law Working Group, co-chaired by VOLS Legal Director Peter Kempner submitted written testimony to the New York…
VOLS Submits Testimony to the NYC Council Committee on Finance on the Need to Maintain Funding to the DVS & Programs for Veterans
On Wednesday, May 24, VOLS Legal Director and Senior Law Project Director Peter Kempner gave testimony at New York City…
VOLS Submits Testimony to the NYC Council Committee on Veterans on the Need to Avoid Isolation for Veterans & Older Adults
On Tuesday, April 4, VOLS Legal Director and Senior Law Project Director Peter Kempner submitted testimony underscoring the impact of…
Veterans Initiative Presents on Life Planning Documents at MJHS Vet-to-Vet Café
VOLS was delighted to participate in the MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care’s latest Vet-to-Vet Café on November 30, 2022. VOLS…
NYC Veterans Law Working Group submits testimony to highlight the importance of culturally sensitive legal services for low-income veterans, military service members, and their families
The VOLS Veterans Initiative joined other members of the New York City Veterans Law Working Group in submitting a statement…
Veterans Initiative Stories
Bay Ridge Heroes Interviews VOLS Veterans Initiative
NOTE: Originally posted March 11, 2021 on the Bay Ridge Center's Website. To read the original article titled "Free Legal…
VOLS Prevents Eviction of Two Generation Veteran Household, Co-counsels with Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
About forty years ago, Mr. Hernandez[i], an honorably discharged Army veteran in his 30s, fell in love with Ms. Ortega,…
Pro Bono Week ’20: Meet Our Volunteers!
As part of our 2020 year-end reports, Volunteers of Legal Service today launches the new Pro Bono section of our…
Community Partners: Veterans Initiative
- City Bar Justice Center
- Feerick Center for Social Justice at Fordham Law School
- Legal Services NYC Veterans Justice Project
- NYC Department of Veterans Services
- NYLAG Veterans Rights Project
- New York State Division of Veterans Services
- NYC Veterans Alliance
- SAGEVets
- VA Harbor NY Health Care System
- Veterans Advocacy Project
- Veterans Mental Health Coalition
This content has been prepared for general information purposes only. It is not meant to provide legal advice and should not be acted upon without consulting a legal professional. If you have any questions or require additional information regarding this or other matters, please contact VOLS. This may be considered legal advertising pursuant to the rules of professional conduct.