Benefits | Legal Matters

Legal matters can be something you really don't want to think about, regardless of the topic. However, you will want to know what type of legal assistance is available to you and how to handle legal matters as someone who has served in the military. Here are some guidelines.

Who Can Receive Assistance on Legal Matters?

Those who have been active in duty in the armed forces for more than 30 days, including those in the Reserves and the National Guard, are eligible to receive legal assistance. Other people may also be able to receive help on legal matters. For instance, a spouse or children of active duty members who died while on duty, retired military members, a spouse or children of a retired military member and a spouse or children of a deceased retired military member.

Others who are eligible to receive assistance on legal matters are those in the Reserves on active duty for set time frames of 29 days or less and their spouse or children in emergency situations, and those who need to prepare for Reserve mobilization or pre-mobilization. Also, know that local citizens employed by the Armed Forces of the U.S., when assigned to foreign areas longer than 30 days, can also receive help. Others who need legal assistance can be granted authorization from the Judge Advocate General to receive their legal help.

What Types of Legal Matters Can Assistance Help With?

Here is a partial list of what legal matters you can get assistance with, should you be eligible:

• Adoption or change of name
• Naturalization or immigration
• Domestic relations (i.e. separation, divorce, paternity, custody)
• Estate settlements, wills and trusts
• Taxes (i.e. State, Federal, and local)
• Rental/Real estate issue (i.e. lease reviews between landlord and tenant)
• Criminal civilian matters/misdemeanors