Joint Base Elmendorf - Richardson JBER  Legal

Both Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson legal assistance offices provide worldwide support to the military community. Their mission is to enhance combat readiness by providing a number of client and preventative law services, during both routine office appointments and pre-deployment processing. The offices provide free advice and assistance to eligible clients on personal legal matters. We encourage you to bring leases, agreements, contracts, etc. to the legal assistance offices for review before you sign them.

The Legal Assistance Office (Air Force) is located in Building 8517 (the "People Center") on the third floor. Appointments with an attorney are necessary, but walk-in services are available for powers of attorney and notary services. Clients may stop by or call to make an appointment. Telephone 907-552-3048 or DSN 317-552-3048 for further information.

The Legal Assistance Office (Army) is located in Building 600 on the third floor in Room A305. Appointments with an attorney are necessary, but walk-in services are available for powers of attorney and notary services. Clients may stop by or call to make an appointment. Telephone 907-384-0371 or DSN 317-384-0371 for further information.

Who is eligible for legal assistance?

• Active-duty military members
• Reservists and National Guard members on active duty or recently demobilized
• Reservists and National Guard members not on active duty, for mobilization and deployment-related issues
• Officers of the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service
• Dependents entitled to an identification card
• Civilian employees who are deploying
• Retired military members and their dependents entitled to an ID card

What kind of help can I get?

• Legal assistance attorneys can answer questions about the law, can help explain legal documents, and can draft wills and powers of attorney.
• Attorneys cannot provide advice related to home-based businesses, military or civilian criminal matters, or disputes between the client and the U.S. Air Force.
• Attorneys cannot draft legal documents, other than wills and powers of attorney, or represent clients in court.

Where can I go to get help?

• A good place to start is the Air Force Legal Assistance web page which has information on many common legal assistance issues. It also has worksheets you can fill out online, before going in-person to get your will or power of attorney. Filling out a worksheet in advance can make your office visit go more quickly.
• If you are filling out a will worksheet, please note your ticket number and call 552-3048 or 384-0371 to give the legal clerk your will ticket number. Failure to do so prevents your documents from being drafted prior to your appointment time and could prolong your visit.
• If you are filling out a power of attorney worksheet, make note of your ticket number and bring that with you when you come in for your power of attorney.
• You can make an appointment to meet with an attorney in either the 673 ABW Legal Office (located in the People Center - tel. 552-3048) or (located in Building #600 - tel. 384-0371). Walk-in services are available in Building 600 on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m.-noon, and 1-4:30 p.m.
• For notary and power of attorney services, you can come to the 673 ABW Legal Office (located in the People Center) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; or to the Richardson Legal Assistance Office (Building #600) Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. Closed on the third Thursday of the month from noon-4:30 p.m.

Services Provided:

Basic advice and services on personal legal matters including:

• Estate issues such as wills, living wills, advance medical directives, powers of attorney and family care plans
• Family matters such as adoption, paternity, divorce, custody, support and visitation
• Consumer issues such as contracts, auto repairs, warranties and bankruptcy
• Landlord-tenant issues
• Real property law such as home purchase or sale(limited)
• Servicemember's Civil Relief Act issues
• Veterans' reemployment rights
• Notary service
• Military administrative issues such as financial liability investigations and appeal (Army personnel only, call 907-384-7397)
• Referral to civilian attorneys for complex legal matters

Informative legal assistance pamphlets are available on a variety of topics in the legal assistance office waiting rooms.