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Office of the Judge Advocate Office of the Judge Advocate

The Aeronautical Systems Center 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. 
tabLegal Assistance 
Legal Assistance Services

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is much more than acres of land dedicated to a military mission. It is a community of Air Force people and families, all with a host of personal needs. 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, Notary and Claims services are available Thursday 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Legal Assistance issues are handled by appointment only Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Walk-in Legal Assistance is available from 9 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. every Tuesday.
tabWill Information 
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 the Will Considerations For Military Families fact sheet and complete a Will Questionnaire located on the Air Force Legal Assistance Website.

Wills require two separate appointments. Will preparation is done by appointment only Monday and Tuesday. Will executions are conducted only by appointment on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. Will preparations may take up to 60 minutes and will executions may take up to 90 minutes.
tabLegal Claims 
Air Force Claims Service Center

Air Force Claims Service Center graphicThe Air Force Claims Service Center in Kettering, Ohio, located near downtown Dayton, now 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 https://claims.jag.af.mil/. The web site also lists a toll-free and DSN numbers for live 24/7 assistance filing a claim. 

The Aeronautical Systems Center Office of the Staff Judge Advocate handles tort claims against the Air Force.  For more information (937) 257-6667.
tabPowers of Attorney 
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 see the Powers of Attorney Fact Sheet.   Although not necessary, it may be helpful to fill out a Power of Attorney Questionnaire on the Air Force Legal Assistance Website prior to your arrival at the base legal office.


tabTax Center 
The tax center is available by appointment only to active duty, reservist, and retiree members through April 15, 2013. We electronically file both federal and state returns through the IRS Military VITA program. Please call (937) 656-1423 for an appointment beginning on January 30, 2012. Please be advised that due to the IRS delay in the tax filing season, people with rental property and who qualify for the Residential Energy Credit will not be able to file their taxes until late February or early March and will not be scheduled for appointments until that time.

We are located in Building 70, Area A next to the ROTC entrance on Shuster Ave.

Tax center clients should consult "What to Bring to Your Tax Appointment." Failure to bring the required documents, such as proof of social security numbers, will result in the client having to reschedule the appointment.

Questions about eligibility or tax filing can be emailed to wpafb.taxcenter@gmail.com

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tabContact or visit the Legal Office
88 ABW/JA
5135 Pearson Road
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 Building 10, the 88th Air Base Wing Headquarters.

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