JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
As military members, we agree to be ready to deploy worldwide and at a moment's notice. Contingency situations may arise that do not provide time to get legal affairs in order before a deployment. No one would think of deploying without being medically cleared, and everyone knows to make sure their financial information is updated. Legal readiness is also an important aspect of your overall readiness.
At a minimum, ensuring you're legally ready to deploy should include the following steps:
· Visit the Legal Office to have a will, advanced medical directive, living will, and durable general power of attorney prepared. These documents take time to create and execute, so it is best to give yourself at least three weeks to get these documents before you deploy.
· Identify whether your spouse or other trusted individual will need a power of attorney to conduct specific transactions on your behalf. Examples include a power of attorney to register your car or a power of attorney to file your taxes.
· Identify whether you have contracts such as a home or apartment lease, cell phone contract, or other contracts that may need to be broken early. Legal assistance attorneys can help you use the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to end or modify these contracts.
If you need legal documents, visit https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil to complete worksheets for powers of attorney, wills and advance medical directives. Bring your ticket numbers to either the Langley Law Center at Langley Air Force Base or the Eustis Legal Assistance Office at Fort Eustis. The Langley Law Center has walk-in legal assistance hours Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m., Wednesdays from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., and Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m. Notaries and powers of attorney are available at the front desk on a walk-in basis from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call 764-3277.
The Eustis Legal Assistance Office has legal assistance appointments Mondays and Wednesdays. The Eustis Legal Assistance Office also has walk-in legal assistance Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Notaries and powers of attorney are available at the front desk on a walk-in basis from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m, Monday through Friday. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 878-3031, ext. 222.