Office of the Judge Advocate

The Statue of Justice symbol graphic

 

The 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.  

 

NOTICE:  Legal assistance services are currently limited to deployment-related support, issues related to impacts of COVID-19, PCS issues and other emergency legal issues.  If you have a qualifying situation, please contact the legal office at 937-257-6142 or 88ABW.JA@us.af.mil for assistance.  We are monitoring the situation and will continue to assess if we are able to expand services. (As of May 18, 2020)

  

Hours of Operation


WALK-IN HOURS (NOTARIES/POWERS OF ATTORNEY ONLY)

Monday           Tuesday           Wednesday           Thursday           Friday

9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.           9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.           9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.           1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m           9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.



LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Monday - Appointments
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.		      Tuesday - Appointments
     1 p.m. - 3 p.m.		           Friday - Walk-in
          9 a.m. - 11 a.m.		  
 
 
  WILLS  
  Monday - Deployment Wills Appointments
9 a.m. - Noon		      Wednesday - Will
     Appointments
     8 a.m. - Noon

 NOTE: There is no walk-in legal assistance on the last Friday of the calendar month.  

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 counsel 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/Wills

 

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.            

Will drafting and execution is done by appointment only on Wednesdays.  Drafting appointments are from 8:00 a.m. - 11 a.m.  Wills will be executed on the same day they are drafted.

88th ABW Judge Advocate
5135 Pearson Road
Building 10, Area A
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433
Telephone: (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

  

Helpful Documents

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.      		 

Tax Center

  Every year the Tax Center helps thousands of clients with about $3.5M in federal and state refunds with no tax preparation fees. If you are eligible, we stand ready to help you with your taxes.

The Tax Center is located in building 70, Area A, at 5215 Thurlow Street. To schedule an appointment, call (937) 656-1423.

Tax Center clients should consult the What to Bring to Your Tax Appointment document that they will receive upon scheduling an appointment. Failure to bring the required documents, such as proof of social security numbers, will result in rescheduling the appointment. Prior to your appointment, you must also fill out IRS Form 13614-C and bring it with you to your appointment.
  

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