JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
The Air Force legal community continually strives to find better ways to serve military members, retirees and their family members. To achieve better service, a public legal assistance website was launched that is available from any computer and does not require the use of a Common Access Card. The site can be found at https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil. .
The website offers short information papers on common legal assistance topics. Those who visit the site can review basic information regarding things that commonly affect military members such as consumer affairs, identity theft, dependent support, family law, wills or powers of attorney. There is also a legal services locator to help individuals find the nearest military legal office within the continental United States.
The site also allows users to fill out an online legal worksheet prior to visiting the legal office for expedited service, though this is not required. Eligible legal assistance beneficiaries can complete a will worksheet online. In return, they will receive a ticket number that should be provided to the receptionist while making an appointment.
However, no legal documents can be printed from this website - users are required to visit the nearest Air Force legal office to obtain legal documents. User information will be retrieved from the secure website and individuals will be able to review legal documents during their legal assistance appointment. Only Air Force legal offices have access to the data entered and data is deleted after 90 days.
Following a visit to an Air Force legal office, individuals can submit anonymous comments through an online survey available on the website.
Note the following when using the Air Force Legal Assistance website:
· The website does not produce legal documents.
· All information contained within the website is for educational and informational purposes.
· Nothing contained in the website is a substitute for the competent legal advice of a licensed attorney.
· Individuals are not required to use this website prior to obtaining legal assistance at their nearest military legal office.
Lt. Gen. Richard C. Harding, United States Air Force Judge Advocate General, summed up the Corps' efforts.
"Many of our clients use the Internet to take care of personal and financial matters already. Knowing that, we created a website that would provide access to legal assistance information and provide worksheets necessary to obtain legal forms, like powers of attorney and wills, in the base legal office. The website is an important supplement to Airmen's legal assistance benefits and a time-saver for the Airmen and their families. I encourage military members, dependents and retirees to try this new website," he said.
To schedule a legal assistance appointment at JBSA-Randolph, call 652-6781. Walk-in legal assistance is available every Tuesday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. The office is located in building 100, suite 6.