legal assistance

The Base Legal Office provides legal assistance in connection with personal civil legal matters to support and sustain command effectiveness and readiness. Under 10 U.S.C. §1044, the ability to offer legal assistance and legal services to the eligible categories of personnel is contingent upon the availability of legal staff resources and expertise. Although legal assistance is not separately funded, it has been provided for members of the armed forces since 1943 and is now perceived as one of the benefits of military service.

Legal assistance establishes an attorney-client relationship between the client and Air Force attorney and consists of Air Force attorneys providing advice on personal, civil legal matters to eligible beneficiaries. For any other legal concern, the Air Force remains the client of the Air Force attorney. On such other matters, Air Force attorneys cannot provide advice to, or enter into an attorney-client relationship with, individuals or entities.  Air Force attorneys, acting in an official capacity, may not enter into an attorney-client relationship in the following areas:

(1) Official matters in which the Air Force has an interest or is involved in the final resolution; (2) Criminal issues under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), or any local, state or federal criminal law;
(3) Standards of ethical conduct issues;
(4) Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) issues;
(5) Issues involving personal commercial enterprises (unless such advice is related to the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act (SCRA));
(6) Legal issues or concerns raised on behalf of third parties, even if the third party is eligible for legal assistance; (6) Drafting or reviewing real estate sale or closing documents, separation agreements or divorce decrees, and inter vivos (living) trusts (This limitation does not preclude a general review to identify potential problems for which the client may require more expert assistance or to protect a client from signing an unconscionable agreement);
(7) Private organizations (e.g., spouses clubs and squadron booster clubs) that have been chartered by appropriate authority to function on Air Force installations (Although prohibited from entering into an attorney-client relationship with private organizations, under the auspices of the Civil Law program Air Force attorneys may provide legal guidance and advice through the base private organizations monitor to ensure private organizations are properly chartered and comply with pertinent statutes and regulations (link to Club/Private Organization/Unofficial Activity Handbook)); and
(8) Representation of the client in a court or administrative proceeding.

Personal civil legal matters commonly encountered during legal assistance:

1) Wills
2) Advanced Medical Directives
3) Powers of Attorney
4) Notaries
5) Dependent Care Issues
6) Adoption
7) Financial Responsibility
8) Domestic Relations
9) Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
10) Veterans' Reemployment Rights and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
11) Casualty Affairs
12) Landlord-Tenant
13) Consumer Affairs
14) Taxes
15) Victims of Crime

Active duty members, dependents and retirees are eligible for legal assistance. The highest priority will be given to Air Force personnel who need mobilization or deployment-related legal assistance that facilitates Command readiness.  There are several other specialized categories of persons eligible for legal assistance. Please see AFI 51-504 (link to AFI) for a complete list of eligible persons.  

The Base Legal Office's Notary and Power of Attorney Walk-In hours are Tuesday - Friday from 0900-1530.  Legal Assistance appointments are available on Tuesdays from 1000 - 1200. Each appointment is 30 minutes long.  Will appointments are available Wednesdays from 0930-1230.  An appointment for an individual will is 45 minutes.  An appointment for a couple to have a will completed for each person is 1 hour 15 minutes.  Legal Assistance and Will appointments are also available on Thursdays from 0930-130.

Will and Power of Attorney worksheets can be completed at https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil. To schedule a Will appointment, please complete the Will worksheet first, obtain your ticket number, and then call the Base Legal Office for an available Will appointment. To obtain a Power of Attorney, complete you Power of Attorney worksheet and then bring your ticket number to the Base Legal Office during walk-in hours.

4 FW/JA
1600 Wright Brothers Ave, Ste 265
Seymour Johnson AFB, NC 27531

DSN: 722-5322
Phone: 919-722-5322

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