By Carl Surran
Take Care Of Your Legal Affairs
Summer 2004
A soldier, sailor or airman can’t perform their jobs to the best of their ability when overwhelmed with legal problems. And those who fail to set up preventative legal measures typically incur the most financial damage.
So service members should consult a military attorney to evaluate their legal affairs, without making the mistake of waiting for a deployment. Once a deployment comes into view, there isn’t always enough time to complete all the paperwork and appointments.
It’s an especially big mistake to procrastinate in making or updating a will. It’s important to have a will because it guarantees that all of your property goes to family, friends and organizations you care about most. Without a will, the state decides for you what happens to your possessions.
A power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes a designated representative to conduct specific transactions on your behalf. But a general power of attorney without limits may allow the holder to do almost anything they want. Instances of misuse of powers of attorney have been known to occur during and after deployments, because it’s difficult for a service member to revoke a power of attorney while deployed overseas.
The military provides free legal assistance to members and their dependents. Attorneys handle transactions like arranging wills and powers of attorney, and can counsel members on a wide range of topics, including insurance matters, consumer and civil law issues, court hearings and child-support obligations.
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