Planning and Estates Law Project Emergency Initiative

The PLANNING AND ESTATES LAW PROJECT (PELP) of the CITY BAR JUSTICE CENTER (CBJC) is a resource for New Yorkers in need.  PELP provides low-income New Yorkers with free legal assistance by preparing documents (wills, health care proxies, powers of attorney, standby guardianships, and other end-of-life planning), providing assistance with probating wills and administering estates, and offering guidance on related matters.

PELP’s panel of experienced volunteer Trust & Estates attorneys are available to provide immediate legal services to help with the estates of New Yorkers who have unexpectedly died in a mass disaster, natural disaster, or other crisis situation.

PELP volunteers are available to assist with obtaining or correcting a death certificate, completing the necessary paperwork for the filing of New York probate petitions or administration petitions, making claims with a life insurance company, the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS), or the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS), and related matters.

Please contact Marisa Guerrero, PELP’s Senior Project Coordinator, at 212-382-6756 if you need assistance.

The CITY BAR JUSTICE CENTER (CBJC), the non-profit affiliate of the New York City Bar Association, increases access to justice by leveraging the resources of the New York City legal community.  The CBJC provides free legal assistance to more than 20,000 New Yorkers in need;  educates the public on legal issues; mobilizes lawyers, law firms, corporate legal departments and more to provide pro bono legal services; and impacts public policy.