The Montana Legal Services Association would like to extend a personal invitation to you to our upcoming seminar on drafting Indian wills, which has been approved for 3 CLE credits by the Montana State Bar. The seminar will be held in Wolf Point on January 15, 2008. Please click to see the application and the terms of pro bono service for details.

In the wake of recent federal legislation affecting the descent and devise of Indian lands, there is an enormous need for estate planning services in Indian Country. To address this need, Montana Legal Services created the Indian Wills Project in 2006. Through the Project, we aim to provide attorneys around the state with the tools and support necessary to draft Indian wills. We also hope to develop a network of pro bono attorneys to participate in our Project. To this end, we are offering our Indian Will Drafting Seminar at no cost to attorneys who agree to draft a will for a Native American client. The seminar will include instruction on the history of allotment and the American Indian Probate Reform Act, testamentary rules for devising trust property, the nuts and bolts of drafting Indian wills and issues regarding execution and storage of wills.

Please return the enclosed application, along with a check for $75.00 if you chose not to draft a will, to the above address by January 9, 2009. Should you be unable to attend the seminar, but are interested in participating in the Indian Wills Project, please contact Joe Hardgrave at the above number.

We hope to see you in January!

Sincerely,

Joe Hardgrave

MLSA