ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

WITH TECHNOLOGY

Richard LeMay, Director of Litigation

Legal Services of North Dakota

Two constants of Public Interest Law

1) Never enough funding

2) More than enough clients

Given these constants it is imperative that providers of services to elderly and low-income persons utilize technology to the fullest.

In North Dakota and many other rural states clients may live hours from your office. This requires either the client to drive to you or you to drive to the client. In many instances this can amount to half a day of windshield time. Not the most efficient use of time.

In many situations it is absolutely necessary to observe and communicate face to face with your client. So its “back on the road again.”

Wait there is an alternative to Willie Nelson and the car radio. It is called Skype or Face Time. These services allow users to communicate with peers by voice using a microphone, video by using a webcam, and instant messaging over the internet.

North Dakota has helped seven clients complete Advance Directives using Skype. Ordinarily helping these clients would have taken roughly 28 hours of windshield time plus time in actually meeting with the client.

Skype minimum requirement Windows XP-OS Microphone (built in) Web Cam (29) Internet Access Skype software

Process of Completing Skype Advance Directives1) Obtain info (phone call or questionnaire)

2) Complete documents

3) Send to client and schedule appointment

4) Make Skype call

5) Review documents with client

6) Execute document

7) Client returns executed document in self addressed stamped envelope

8) On return, notarize clients signature

9) Send out documents

10) Close file

Legal Services of North Dakota launched its online web application in 2000, in 2004 LSND began promoting the application with statewide agencies. Today 20% of our applications come through the website.

It takes time to change public perception and usage patterns

Legal Services of North Dakota is continuing to add to its partners and will continue to utilize Skype whenever possible.

One Day in the not too distant future LSND will have one staff person doing all the rural advance directives from a central location