Legal Assistance for Service Members and Families

In certain cases, you may need a military lawyer for advice or representation.  Your Legal Assistance Office can help you with legal paperwork and information on many issues.

Military OneSource can help connect you to the legal assistance you require. Call 800-342-9647. Or use the Legal Services Locator to find your legal office.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is designed to educate and inform service members and their families on their personal legal affairs. Nothing contained in the website is a substitute for the competent legal advice of a licensed attorney. Service members and their families seeking legal advice should consult the staff of the nearest installation Legal Assistance Office.

You can contact your Legal Assistance Office for information on many issues, including:

There are some legal documents every service member — and citizen — should have:

• Last will and testament: A will lets you decide what happens to your property and, if you have kids, who you want to take care of them in the event of your death. Otherwise, the courts will decide for you and are likely to impose a fee for doing so. If you have a last will and testament, consider updating it based on your family’s current needs.
• Power of attorney: This document allows you to name a trusted person to act on your behalf on legal or money matters while you’re deployed or otherwise unable to represent yourself. It permits them to do your banking and buy or sell property, among other transactions.
• Living will. With a living will, you can declare ahead of time what medical treatment you want — or don’t want — should you suffer a serious injury or illness that leaves you unable to make such decisions for yourself.

There is a range of other issues for which you might need legal assistance or representation. Your installation legal office can refer you, based on financial need, to the American Bar Association’s Military Pro Bono Project for more advanced and in-depth assistance.