Office of the Judge Advocate

The Statue of Justice symbol graphicThe 88th Air Base Wing office of the Staff Judge Advocate provides high-quality legal advice and support in the areas of civil law, contract law, labor law, environmental law, claims and military justice for courts-martial and non-judicial punishment actions. The Office also provides legal assistance to individual military members, retirees and family members on personal, non-criminal legal matters.  

To schedule an appointment call 937-257-6142.

WILLS

Deployers, Active Duty, and Active Duty dependents by appointment only. To schedule an appointment call 937-257-6142.

Retirees wills are on hold during Health Protection Condition Charlie (HPCON C) and the declared Public Health Emergency. Please check back for updates.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE/NOTARIES/POWERS OF ATTORNEY

To schedule an appointment call 937-257-6142 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday.

All legal assistance appointments will be telephonic.

Notaries and Powers of Attorney are available during walk in hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except for Thursdays, where we are only open from 1 to 3 p.m. We close every day for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

NOTICE

*Masks are mandatory in the legal office.

*If a client has been experiencing COVID symptoms in the past 72 hours or lives with someone who has, they are to cancel any upcoming appointments and are not to come to the office at all during customer service hours.

Legal Claims

The Air Force Claims Service Center is located in Area A, Bldg. 1, Suite 500, and processes personal claims for Airmen and civilian employees worldwide. Those with household goods shipment, personal property and vehicle damage claims may benefit from this streamlined on-line claims process. Filing a claim and getting paid has never been easier or faster!

To file a claim online, visit the Air Force Claims Service Center. The web site also lists a toll-free and DSN numbers for assistance filing a claim. 

The 88th Air Base Wing Office of the Staff Judge Advocate handles tort claims against the Air Force.  For more information call (937) 257-6142.     

Legal Assistance Services

The Office of the Staff Judge Advocate provides legal services and advice absolutely free to all active duty personnel and their dependents along with reservists and guardsmen on federal active duty and their dependents. In addition, retired personnel, their dependents, and dependent survivors may also receive legal assistance to the extent personnel and facilities are available.

Air Force attorneys and paralegals can assist eligible personnel with wills, powers of attorney, notary service, or advice on personal civil legal matters such as adoption, landlord-tenant issues, tax assistance, and consumer law questions. Legal assistance officers are licensed attorneys who are assigned by the Air Force to advise and council members on personal legal problems.

The Legal Assistance Program offers counseling for personal civil matters. Legal assistance officers cannot represent clients in court, nor can they advise persons who have hired a civilian attorney on the same subject matter. They cannot advise about criminal matters, or UCMJ related offenses, (active duty members with these issues should contact the Area Defense Counsel Office, at (937) 257-7841) nor can they assist someone to avoid paying a debt or advise someone regarding private commercial business and other outside employment. They are also prohibited from preparing personal legal documents on behalf of those eligible, except for wills, powers of attorney, and affidavits. To ensure a productive appointment, please arrange for childcare during your visit to the legal office. 

POWERS OF ATTORNEY
With some planning, most people can usually handle their own affairs. However, there are times when you might need someone to act as your agent in your absence, to handle a particular piece of business. If you appoint someone to act for you, you do so by giving him or her your power of attorney.

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows another to conduct legal actions on your behalf (such as selling a house) and can be either special (usually connected with a single transaction or event) or general (total power over another's legal affairs). Special powers of attorney drafted to fit individual needs on a one-time basis or for a limited period of time are usually your best choice. The Legal Office is prepared to draft both.

For more information about Powers of Attorney, or to fill out a Power of Attorney Questionnaire prior to your arrival at the base legal office, you can visit the Air Force Legal Assistance Website. 

WILL ASSISTANCE
A will is a written legal declaration of how personal property should be distributed after death. The Legal Office can assist eligible military and family members in preparing a will.  Before making an appointment, members should review Will Considerations For Military Families fact sheet and complete a Will Questionnaire located on the Air Force Legal Assistance Website.            

Provide a completed Will Questionnaire to the Legal Assistance office at least one business day prior to your scheduled appointment via email at 88abw.ja@us.af.mil. Failure to provide a completed Will Questionnaire may result in cancellation of your will appointment.

Will appointments for retirees will not be made at this time.

Legal Links

LEGAL LINES

88th Air Base Wing (AFMC)

Contact Us

5135 Pearson Road
Bldg. 10, Area A
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
Phone: (937) 257-6142
Fax: (937) 257-5937
 
The legal office is located on the first floor of the 88th Air Base Wing Headquarters, Bldg. 10. Area A.