Goochland promotes free clinic for wills, powers of attorney, directives

A free legal clinic in Goochland could spare families the cost, delay and confusion that often follow a medical crisis or a death in the family by helping residents put a will, a power of attorney or an advance medical directive in place before they need it. Goochland County’s calendar says The Span Center will hold the Law Day Clinic on May 27, 2026, registration is required, and residents can call Candi May at The Span Center at (804) 871-0225 for more information.

The documents on offer are the kind that decide who speaks for a person when they cannot speak for themselves. A will designates wishes for property and final affairs, a durable power of attorney lets someone handle business matters, and an advance medical directive directs future healthcare. For older adults, people with disabilities and anyone without a current estate plan, that can mean less uncertainty for children, spouses and other caregivers when decisions have to be made quickly.

The Span Center brings regional reach to a local problem. Formerly known as Senior Connections, the organization says it provides free preparation of life-planning documents and that most of its services are available at no cost to those who qualify. It serves Planning District 15, which includes Goochland, the City of Richmond, Charles City, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan, making the May 27 clinic part of a broader aging and disability support network across Central Virginia.

Goochland has offered a similar Senior Law Day before. In 2025, the county advertised the service as no-cost for eligible adults and people with disabilities, said documents would be prepared and executed on site, and listed volunteer attorneys as the legal help behind the event. That clinic also carried income guidelines of $3,138 or less a month for a single-person household and $4,258 or less for a two-person household, underscoring how hard it can be for residents on fixed incomes to secure basic legal planning without help.

For Goochland families balancing care, money and home responsibilities, the clinic offers more than paperwork. It is a chance to put legal instructions in writing, lower the odds of conflict later and make sure healthcare and financial decisions do not land in a crisis without a plan.