It’s not something any of us like to dwell on, but while confronting mortality can be difficult, no one wants to leave their loved ones with unnecessary financial or bureaucratic burdens. Advance planning can provide peace of mind for those near the end of life, but unfortunately, seniors with limited financial means are often unable to access legal services to prepare the documents needed. PILnet partnered with a Hong Kong based organization to provide pro bono legal services for low income seniors looking to put their affairs in order and provide comfort and reassurance to their loved ones.
AWEsum Care is an organization made up of legal professionals operating on a social business model— providing legal documents and document services for a fee to private businesses and individuals able to pay, and free of charge to underserved communities who would otherwise face challenges in securing legal documents. They offer pro bono preparation and witnessing of a variety of documents, including Enduring Power of Attorney, Advance Directives, and Will.
AWEsum Care turned to PILnet with a request for additional pro bono lawyers to work on their “witnessing days” events in Hong Kong, where volunteer lawyers spend the day witnessing enduring power of attorney documents for local senior citizens free of charge. An enduring power of attorney is an important document for seniors, as it ensures their wishes will be met for their end of life care, and it protects family members from unnecessary stress and heartache in the case of a medical emergency. However, the costs of preparing, checking, and witnessing the documents by a legal professional can be prohibitive for seniors on a limited income.
Witnessing Days: Compassion in Action
PILnet connected AWEsum Care with five lawyers from the law firm Lewis Silkin who volunteered at one of AWEsum Care’s witnessing days, where they checked and witnessed documents for 20 seniors. During a routine follow-up interview, PILnet’s Hong Kong Clearinghouse program staff learned that AWEsum Care plans to expand the range of document services offered and to hold monthly witnessing events at different senior centers around Hong Kong in the second half of 2025. PILnet is currently arranging volunteer lawyers for these events.
Bolstering Good Public Policy
AWEsum Care’s services reinforce the Hong Kong government’s “30 measures to promote a silver economy,” one of which is to “further promote the ‘Three Instruments of Peace’ (i.e. will, power of attorney, and advanced medical directive) by the legal sector.” PILnet is proud to be connecting lawyers with this social enterprise and to see underprivileged seniors receiving tangible support from this initiative.