Legal services can be costly, so here are some opportunities for West Philly residents to get free legal help.

Cedar Park Neighbors and the Drexel University School of Law are inviting residents to a free will and estate planning workshop next Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. The workshop is for those who are seeking help with the following questions:

• If you own your home, do you know what will happen to it after you die?  
• If you get sick and can’t speak for yourself, do your doctors know what your wishes are?
• Do you need a power of attorney to have someone pay your bills and make financial decisions for you? 

After learning about simple wills, living wills, and powers of attorney attendees can sign up for a free one-on-one follow-up meeting at Drexel University to write the actual documents. Since the workshop is free participants are encouraged to join Cedar Park Neighbors if they are not already a member. Membership starts at $7/year for seniors, and you can sign up right at the workshop.

The workshop will be held at Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore). If you have questions, please call Cedar Park Neighbors at 267-BALT-AVE or email: contact@cedarparkneighbors.org

By the way, this Fall, the Drexel Law School has launched a free legal clinic for West Philly residents. The new Community Lawyering Clinic is located in Drexel’s Dornsife Center For Neighborhood Partnerships at 35th and Spring Garden. The clinic is a great opportunity for Drexel students to gain experience working with real clients, while helping neighborhood residents with “referrals, legal advice and direct representation in matters involving family, consumer protection, property and other legal areas affecting the community.” Training, pro bono programs and workshops on community-wide legal issues are offered at the clinic. “Law Days” take place once a month and topics range from foreclosure prevention to employment discrimination. The next Law Day is on Friday, Oct. 3 with a training session on consumer protection and bankruptcy. Read more about the clinic here.