East Haven law firm offers free living wills, health care proxies during pandemic

Apr. 18--EAST HAVEN -- As the coronavirus spread, Joseph Fournier, who runs Fournier Legal Services in East Haven, thought about the elderly community along the Shoreline.

He noticed that many were afraid to go into a law office, he said, adding that the fear was justified -- he, too, wanted to limit person-to-person contact.

But the situation created a barrier to services that potentially could be more important than ever, especially for older adults, Fournier said, included designating a health care proxy and creating a living will.

That's why Fournier's firm decided to take an unusual step. For the months of April and May, it is offering to provide health care proxies and living will advance directives, free of charge, Fournier said.

Health care proxies, or health care representatives, are those who make medical decisions for individuals who cannot do so themselves.

Living will directives provide instructions for preferred medical treatment. For example, many clients prefer not to be kept alive by artificial means if there is no chance for recovery, Fournier said.

The firm's effort to help people obtain living wills and designate health care representatives is meant to be a gift, Fournier said, adding that the service does not make the firm obligated to represent recipients other matters.

But if a doctor were to question the validity of the documents, the attorneys would step in for free, according to Fournier.

The firm has set up the program so that it is both easy to use and limits possible exposure to the coronavirus. All you have to do is fill out an online form, said Ben Frosceno, who took advantage of the service.

"I couldn't believe how simple it was," he said.

Soon enough, Frosceno received an email with the documents, Frosceno said, adding that it is not legally valid until it is notarized and signed by two witnesses.

While Frosceno does not think he has COVID-19, at 56 years old he thought designating a health care proxy was an important step to take, especially given the current climate, he said.

"I think it's a great idea, I think his [Fournier's] timing was perfect," Frosceno said.

While the service is free, Frosceno pointed out that it is a smart business decision, as he now feels comfortable turning to the firm in the future to create a full will, he said.

Most of the clients Fournier has heard from are new to using his estate planning services, he said.

But the attorney represents some in their business ventures, including Daniel Vigliotti, who runs DuVig Brewing Co. in Branford and said he has used Fournier's services for about five years.

When Vigliotti heard Fournier was offering free health care proxies, he took the opportunity to designate one.

"What with everything going on, you just don't know," Vigliotti said. "You hope for the best but prepare for the worst."

Like Frosceno, Vigliotti also emphasized how easy Fournier's service was to use, noting that he may not have otherwise gotten around to creating a living will, simply because it can be a hassle.

Under normal circumstances, Fournier's firm would be unlikely to provide this type of service -- typically, he would recommend that his clients create a full will, and he would also work with them in person, he said -- but, the attorney noted, the coronavirus pandemic does not constitute "normal circumstances."

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com

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