Jim had been trying to create a will for a while.

In fact, in 2001, he drafted his own version but couldn’t find an affordable lawyer to help him make it official. 15-years later, Jim found himself 63 years old, unmarried, and without children. Even so, there were people in his life for whom he wanted to leave a better world. He often thought of his house in the Bayview and of his roommate and nephew that lived there. What would happen if he died? Would they be able to afford the rising rent in San Francisco? When Jim looks back now, he can still feel the weight of those questions. “The will loomed over my head for years! Everything in the city is so expensive, and I wanted to get it done before I couldn’t anymore.”

The will loomed over my head for years! I wanted to get it done before I couldn’t anymore.

Then, out of the blue, Jim found his answer. “It was a Wednesday,” he remembers. Jim had just checked in for his Uber shift when his first passenger stepped in his car. Her name was Rose, and as it turned out, she worked for a nonprofit legal clinic called Open Door Legal. Goldman could not resist asking if they worked on wills. When she said “yes,” his heart nearly leaped out of his chest. Here was the service he had never known to look for.
Jim didn’t wait to set up an appointment with Open Door Legal. He stopped by that week and began working with our co-founder, Virginia Taylor. “Virginia was awesome, and everyone was so cordial. Turns out I even went to high school with one of the attorneys.” Two months later, Virginia finalized Jim’s will. Jim knew exactly how his legacy would have a profound impact on the people he loves. “It’s a huge relief, especially as my health issues intensify.” Since that day, Jim has showered the Open Door Legal team with kindness by bringing cookies to the office and even becoming a donor.

It’s a huge relief, especially as my health issues intensify.

Jim continues to be proactive about “getting his affairs in order”. With the will taken care of, he’s moved on to renovating his home and taking care of his garden. He often encourages his friends to be proactive as well by referring them to Open Door Legal. “What you guys do for the community is so important. Keep up the great work!”