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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation will host presentations on the preparation of legal wills on December 19 at 10:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. in the Tribal Council Chambers located in the Cherokee Nation Complex. Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, Inc. (OILS) will present the clinic on will preparation.

Attorney Josie Cashner and paralegal Gregg Lewis from Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, Inc. will be on site to prepare wills for low income Native Americans who own assests, restricted or trust land. If property issues will be involved, please bring a legal description of the property.

"It is especially important for seniors who have restricted or trust assets to have a will in place," Cashner said. "A legal will will ensure that final wishes are known and can alleviate any family tensions of dividing an estate."

Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, Inc. is one of two civil legal services programs operating in Oklahoma and funded principally by the Legal Services Corporation. The other legal service program is Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma based in Oklahoma City.

OILS was incorporated as a non-profit law firm in 1981 and provides free civil legal services to low income Native Americans throughout the state of Oklahoma. OILS provides services concerning Indian Child Welfare, adoptions, Indian housing, Indian land issues, wills and probates, Individual Rights and Tribal Sovereignty. OILS attorneys are available to speak with community and law association about Indian law issues at no charge.

OILS is not associated with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, Indian Health Services, any specific tribal government or any other Indian services agency.

Further information may be obtained by calling the Cherokee Nation's toll free number 1-800-256-0671 extension 2561 or OILS' toll free number 1-800-658-1497.