The Elder Law & Advocacy Center (ELAC), in partnership with the City of Detroit and the Detroit Public Library (DPL), is proud to announce the continuation of its “Life and Legacy Program” with a new slate of 2025 estate planning workshops.
Kicking off this spring and continuing through the summer, the workshop series will be hosted at 20 Detroit Public Library branches across the city, empowering Detroiters with the knowledge and resources to secure their families' futures and preserve generational wealth.
Detroit City Council Member Scott Benson (D3), a passionate advocate for economic equity, is leading this initiative through his role as Chair of the City’s Wealth Generation Task Force. His work in partnership with the Duggan administration has been instrumental in bringing this vital programming to life.
“A key finding of my Wealth Generation Task Force was the lack of estate planning among Detroit families and how that impacted not only the transfer of real estate upon the death of a loved one, but also how it has impaired Black families’ abilities to build wealth,” said Councilman Benson.
Each educational workshop introduces essential estate planning tools - such as Powers of Attorney (Financial and Health Care), Last Will & Testament, Ladybird Deeds, and Trust Agreements - and provides access to an attorney to draft and execute your Life and Legacy documents.
"The Detroit Public Library is pleased to facilitate these free information workshops on estate planning to help people make important decisions about what will happen to their home and other assets after they're gone. An estate plan is a gift that makes things easier for the loved ones left behind." Margaret Bruni, Director for Public Services, Detroit Public Library.
Additionally, the Detroit Public Library provides a variety of resources to help individuals and families manage their finances, from books, electronic databases and workshops on budgeting, investing or planning for retirement.
Workshops are free and open to the public. Residents are encouraged to register in advance here.
- Main Library – Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 2:00 pm
- Chase Branch – Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Jefferson Branch – Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 5:30 pm
- Conely Branch – Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Jefferson Branch – Friday, June 6, 2025 at 3:00 pm
- Hubbard Branch – Monday, June 9, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Lincoln Branch – Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 2:00 pm
- Wilder Branch – Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 4:00 pm
- Franklin Branch – Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Chandler Park Branch – Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 4:00 pm
- Edison Branch – Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 4:00 pm
- Bowen Branch – Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Knapp Branch – Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Redford Branch – Monday, July 21, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Elmwood Park Branch – Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 5:00 pm
- Duffield Branch – Monday, August 4, 2025 at 11:00 am
- Chaney Branch – Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Parkman Branch – Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Douglass Branch – Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 2:00 pm
- Campbell Branch – Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 5:00 pm
This initiative represents a powerful step toward closing the racial wealth gap, empowering Detroit families to take control of their financial futures.