Legal assistance hours change, services update Published Sept. 9, 2015 By 412th Test Wing Judge Advocate EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 412th Test Wing Office of the Staff Judge Advocate is changing its legal assistance services from its current walk-in system to appointments only, effective Sept. 14. Those seeking services will now need an appointment to consult with an attorney on their legal matters. Appointments will be available Monday through Thursday every week. Services offered The Base Legal Office offers a variety of legal assistance services to those who qualify. Legal assistance is available for a wide range of personal, civil matters. While lawyers from the legal office cannot represent patrons in court, they can provide them with preliminary advice, assist with filing documents and, depending on the situation, write letters on their behalf on a wide variety of legal issues. The lawyers are able to advise on matters such as landlord and tenant issues, consumer law and domestic relations. The legal assistance officers in the legal office are licensed attorneys who are assigned by the Air Force to provide advice and counsel on certain legal matters. Clients may freely discuss all matters within the limitations of legal assistance with these Air Force attorneys because conversations are confidential and protected as attorney-client privileged communications. There are only a few exceptions to this privilege, including interactions relating to a client that indicates intent to commit a future crime. If someone has already committed an offense either in the military or civilian community, the legal assistance attorney will refer the person to a military defense counsel as legal assistance attorneys cannot provide advice in criminal matters. However, that initial communication would still be subject to the attorney-client privilege. There are several areas of law where the legal assistance attorneys cannot advise clients. This includes assistance in civilian or military criminal matters; official matters in which the Air Force has an interest, such as discharges, pay problems or complaints about medical care; personal commercial ventures and private business activities; and standards of conduct and ethics questions unrelated to Air Force business. There may be other situations as well. If a client has any questions regarding what an attorney may be able to help with, they should contact the legal office. Wills All clients desiring to execute a will must first complete a Will Worksheet. These can be found online at the Air Force Legal Assistance website, https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil, under "Legal Worksheets." Once the client completes the Will Worksheet, they must then call the legal office for an appointment. The client must have a ticket number for their Will Worksheet when they make the appointment. Once the appointment is made, clients will be able to meet with an attorney to discuss and make any necessary changes to their will. The following Friday, clients will return for the Will Execution Ceremony and leave with their will in hand. Whether clients are at home or at work, they can fill out all the paperwork needed to complete a power of attorney, advance medical directive or last will and testament. Powers of Attorney and Notary Services Powers of attorney and notary services are available on a walk-in basis, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Clients are encouraged to use the Air Force Legal Assistance website to complete the necessary paperwork for a power of attorney, but are not required to do so. Eligibility for Services The following people are eligible for legal services: · All active duty members and their dependents; · All retired military personnel and their dependents; · Civilian employees and civilian contractor personnel deploying to or in a theater of operations have the opportunity to prepare and execute wills and powers of attorney (They must present a copy of their orders) · Civilian employees of the Department of Defense and their dependents, when stationed overseas · Contractors, if specified in their contract (Contractors must present a copy of the entitlement) · Reservists on federal active duty under Title 10, United State Code; in this case, their dependents are eligible as well · Inactive reservists and National Guard members in an inactive status may receive mobilization- and deployment-related legal assistance, to include wills, advance medical directives, powers of attorney, protections and responsibilities under the Serviceman's Civil Relief Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and notary services. If a client has any questions regarding their eligibility for legal services, they should contact the legal office at 661-277-4310. Legal office contact information follows: 412 TW/JA 1 S. Rosamond Blvd Edwards AFB, CA 93524 DSN: 527-4310 Comm: 661-277-4310 Fax: 661-277-1625