By Irene Bowers
The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Over the past year, the law practice at Virginia Beach’s Town Center has prepared more than 200 documents — estate planning of wills, advance medical directives and durable power of attorney — for law enforcement officers and their spouses throughout the area.
They are now broadening their services to include firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and emergency medical personnel.
“We felt strongly this was needed,” Sullivan said. “It is an absolute honor to do something for the people who go into harm’s way for us.”
Johnson, who was a police officer for 15 years, has known several colleagues who have either been killed or injured in the line of duty.
“They didn’t have estate planning, and they had difficulty in paying their bills,” said Johnson, a former Great Bridge resident whose son attends Greenbrier Christian Academy.
So far, many of those who have sought help ranged from captains to patrol officers from Chesapeake.
“They realize the need for estate planning and a will when they start having children or are about to retire,” Johnson said.
Upon the death of a spouse or parent without a will, one can not assume the estate will be equitably split - particularly in the case of today’s divided families.
“Generally, when someone dies without a will, if they have a child from a previous marriage, that child will get two-thirds of the estate and the spouse will get only one-third,” Johnson said. “And if no executor has been established, the courts will appoint one, and you get no say in that.
“It’s a lot of work for a grieving widow to go through. If you set it up ahead of time, it takes a lot of stress off the family and allows them to grieve your death without dealing with the business side of it.”
Time, money and the perception of difficulty keep far too many from getting their wills and estates in order,” Johnson added.
Then there is also the mind-set of first responders.
“You cannot do your job thinking you will be killed or get injured; you don’t think about it, so you don’t plan for it, either,” he said.
Foundation oriented
The law partners have joined the Florian Foundation and hope to attract other South Hampton Roads law firms to the cause.
The foundation, based in Fairfax, works to encourage free estate planning for firefighters, police and first responders. Executive director Sandie Doptis said Virginia ranked second only to Texas in 2007 for the number of first responders killed in the line of duty.
Research for the foundation, which was started in 2000, showed approximately 65 percent of the general population and 93 percent of public safety had no estate planning, Doptis said.
Johnson and Sullivan will be the first practice in Hampton Roads participating with the Florian Foundation.
“Jerrell’s extensive background in law enforcement gives him a unique credibility,” Doptis said. “We are thrilled he is interested in helping encourage other firms to become involved.”
The foundation works with 10 firms and has assisted more than 60 public safety departments in five states and the District of Columbia.
Johnson handles criminal defense, traffic offenses and personal injury, and Sullivan practices family law, criminal defense and other civil litigation. Both were military dependents who landed in Virginia Beach. Johnson attended First Colonial High from 1983 to 1985, and Sullivan graduated from Cox High in 1995.
“We understand the lifestyle and go out of our way to help service members,” Sullivan said, noting reduced rates for active-duty military.
“We’re prepared, and we want our clients prepared, as well,” Sullivan said.
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