For Alicia, it’s not just about the paperwork. It’s about supporting people during one of the most important times in their lives and ensuring they’re prepared for the future.

By Edith Ramirez, Community Outreach and Communications Coordinator

Alicia Myers brings deep compassion and a wealth of experience to her role as the Mid-Shore Life Planning Case Manager at Shore Legal Access. Since 2020, Alicia has focused on life planning, helping clients prepare essential documents such as wills, medical directives, and powers of attorney. Before that, she served as the outreach coordinator, a position that has greatly influenced her approach to life planning by emphasizing the importance of fostering and maintaining strong, empathetic relationships with clients and their families. 

Throughout her time at SLA, Alicia has had the privilege of working with clients who are appreciative and communicative. She shares, “My clients are wonderful. They show up for clinics, are invested in the process, and often bring their families. It’s amazing to see entire generations coming together to prepare for something so important and inevitable.” 

Alicia also finds the clinics themselves to be incredibly rewarding. Over the years, they’ve become more efficient, sometimes allowing clients to have their documents drafted on the same day. “I enjoy getting to know my clients on a personal level,” she says. “It’s about more than just paperwork; it’s about building a relationship with the clients, understanding what’s important to them, and making them feel comfortable with the staff and attorneys who are assisting them.” 

Alicia encourages everyone, regardless of age, to take advantage of our life planning services. “Even if you think you don’t need a power of attorney, will, or medical directive, give us a call,” she advises. “Whether you’re a young family with few assets or an older adult, it’s important to have these documents in place. Life is uncertain, and it’s better to be prepared.” She notes that many people don’t realize these documents can be updated as circumstances change. “I would love to reach out to more young families and provide them with the peace of mind that comes with having their affairs in order,” she adds.  

The benefits of having these essential documents in place are evident: they provide clarity and prevent unnecessary stress for loved ones during challenging times. Unfortunately, Alicia has seen too many instances where families are rushed to complete documents at the end of someone’s life. “It can be incredibly stressful for a family dealing with illness or the passing of a loved one,” she explains. “That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead. Don’t wait until someone is in critical care or in their most difficult times to start thinking about these documents.” 

One piece of advice that Alicia offers is to ensure that the original will is registered with the Register of Wills. “A lot of people don’t know this, but you can’t open an estate without the original will. I’ve seen cases where people thought SLA had their loved one’s will, but we only have copies, people need the original.” 

One of Alicia’s favorite aspects of her role is working with her clients and their families. “I love hearing family stories, especially from the children of our clients,” she says. “People open up and reflect on their lives, sharing both the good and the bad. It’s truly an honor to be a part of that process.” 

For Alicia, it’s not just about the paperwork. It’s about supporting people during one of the most important times in their lives and ensuring they’re prepared for the future. At Shore Legal Access, Alicia Myers exemplifies the compassionate approach that defines the organization’s work. If you haven’t already thought about your life planning documents, Alicia encourages you to take that first step by giving us a call today to plan for tomorrow.