According to Driggs, from May 2018 to May 2019, JA`s civil law portion helped 1,218 clients, saving them nearly $400,000 in legal documents. In addition to these numbers, the JA Tax Center has been recognized by the IRS for its excellent service this tax season. Legal services such as tax filing are not known to most retirees as a free legal service for which they are eligible, explained Aviator 1st Class Keshala Dassie, 377th ABW JA General Law Paralegal. The JA continues to serve those who have served by expanding basic legal services for retirees at Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center to reach the large retirement population in Albuquerque. The JA office is divided into military justice and civil law. The military judiciary deals with criminal cases. Civil law, sometimes called mutual legal assistance, deals with everything that is not criminal, including, but not limited to, wills, powers of attorney, divorce, and taxes. The legal department asks all active members to make maximum use of walk-in hours.

Walk-in hours are Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Retirees can make an appointment. Types of services “When people make wills, retirees sometimes ask how much it will cost them, and they`re surprised it`s free,” Dassie said. “It gives you a good mood to know that you`ve helped someone realize they have access to these legal services, not just active duty.” The Office of the Judge Advocate at 377 Wing at Air Force Base provides free legal services to those who have served and are currently serving their country in uniform. Wants services by appointment only. Visit the website (aflegalassistance.law.af.mil/lass/lass.html) to complete a will worksheet. Contact the legal department with the ticket number to arrange for a testamentary appointment. “We`ve probably done ten clients and it`s probably estimated at a few thousand dollars in legal services,” Driggs said. “Which is a big problem for some of these veterans if they don`t have the money to pay for a lawyer.” For more information on legal assistance and access to legal worksheets, see aflegalassistance.law.af.mil/.

The Area Defense Council can be reached at 505-846-5553. “The more comprehensive information you can give to a lawyer, the better legal services you can get,” Driggs said. “That being said, if you get into trouble, talk to the defense lawyer, not me.” Airman 1st Class Ricky Jackson, from the 377th Wing Air Force Legal Office, supports Sergeant Kimberly S. Sign at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, May 2, 2019. The YES office is divided into military justice and civil law. The military justice part deals with criminal matters, while civil law, sometimes called mutual legal assistance, deals with everything else such as wills, powers of attorney, divorces and taxes. (U.S. Air Force photo of Aviator 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey) For clients seeking legal assistance at JA`s local headquarters, Driggs offers advice that can make appointments easier for everyone.

He was also wary of warning members who might face military justice to seek assistance from the Area Defence Council. Wills, medical precautionary instructions and powers of attorney for health care Consult aflegalassistance.law.af.mil/lass/lass.html and complete a will worksheet. When you`re done, the system generates a ticket number for you. This ticket number is required before you can make an appointment with a legal advisor for a will, power of attorney for health and/or living will for medical reasons. Awareness Our ultimate goal and priority is to ensure that military members and their families are ready for deployment. That means we`re working with you to make sure everything is in order. This includes a will, living will (living will or medical power of attorney), powers of attorney and arrangements to support your family. Power of Attorney A power of attorney is a written instrument that allows you (the “principal”) to authorize your attorney (your “mandatary”) to conduct certain transactions on your behalf.

This is one of the strongest legal documents you can give to another person. Any action taken by your representative under a power of attorney is legally binding on you. Since a power of attorney is such a powerful document, you should only give it to someone you trust, and only when absolutely necessary. There are two types of power of attorney: a general power of attorney and a special (or limited) power of attorney. 1. General Power of Attorney A general power of attorney gives your agent the power to do most of the things you could do yourself, such as writing cheques and paying bills, borrowing money and signing contracts on your behalf. Not all institutions accept a general power of attorney; Some specifically require a power of attorney from them. You should check with the institution before receiving a power of attorney. 2. Special Power of Attorney A special or restricted power of attorney authorizes your attorney to do only one specific thing, such as: Sell your car, ship your household items, or cash your paycheck. It limits the agent`s action to a specific objective that you have chosen.

It is best to grant a special power of attorney if possible. Visit aflegalassistance.law.af.mil/lass/lass.html to find the power of attorney that meets your needs. The website asks you to fill in your personal data and then generates a ticket number for you. Bring your ticket number with you when you go to the office. Other legal assistance We also offer other forms of legal assistance, including assistance in family relationships (divorce, child support and custody), advice on the Military Civil Legal Protection Act, personal property claims, landlord/tenant issues and tax matters. Useful links Air Force Claims Service Center Air Force Legal Aid Lawyers Reference Directory UNM Law Library NM Statutes NM County Courthouse Law Society of New Mexico Legal Aid Eligibility The law firm is here to help you with various personal civil matters. We serve active military personnel and their dependents, as well as pensioners and their dependents. Members of the National Guard and Reserve are eligible under certain conditions. The law firm is open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and to make an appointment, call 505-846-4217. “These are probably our big three: wills, powers of attorney and divorce,” said Captain Jeremy Driggs, chief legal officer of the 377th ABW JA.

“So we`re a one-stop law firm for the base, as long as it`s not criminal matters.” “It`s essentially an extension of what we do in the office,” Driggs said. “There is a huge military presence in this city and to help those who have served and to continue our mission, we turned to the VA.” Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Sat & Sun closed Public holidays closed Please make an appointment. All civil law services, with the exception of notarial certification of documents and wills, are only possible by appointment. “Peace of mind is something we really try to give our clients because we have people who are committed, who are getting divorced or who have retirement in mind,” Driggs said. This new project, led by Driggs, began in January. Eligible recipients include serving military personnel and their family members; active reserve personnel; and retirees and their families, as well as survivors of deceased retired employees. Appointments can be made by email Kirtland.Legal.Assistance@us.af.mil or by calling (505) 846-4217. Reconvening of information sessions No in-person briefings. See the briefing via myLearning. Walk-in: Notarial service, power of attorney, will worksheets, questions, schedule 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday Victims and witnesses of crimes can be informed by the Department of Military Justice about the military justice system and their rights under the law. Office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Legal issues, whether large or small, can be complicated. Whatever the problem, YES aims to reassure its customers. The claims department provides claim forms and instructions for filing claims or losing household items. Applicants must submit their request within 70 days of delivery of household items. Department of Military Justice “Our tax center returned $1.2 million to its customers this tax season and was recognized by the IRS as one of the best tax centers in the entire Air Force,” said Driggs Post-Government Employee Briefing No Personal Briefings.