New Air Force legal assistance Web site

  • Published
  • By Judge Advocate General Corps
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Next time you need a will, power of attorney, or just have a legal question, visit aflegalassistance.com. The Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps unveiled the new Air Force Legal Assistance Web site worldwide Feb. 1. The Web site is designed for active-duty and reserve members, retirees and dependents.

The Web site was created to increase efficiency and track client satisfaction with the Air Force legal assistance program. Because it's a public site clients may access the site's features from the comfort of their homes without a common access card. The site's features include:

· Legal Topics: Short papers on common legal assistance topics such as wills and family law issues. It also contains links to other helpful sites.

· Legal Worksheets: Access to online questionnaires for wills, living wills, and powers of attorney. After completing the online worksheet, the website provides each client a unique "ticket number." Data entered by clients is secure and may be accessed only after clients visit their local legal office and provide their ticket numbers to legal office personnel. Without the ticket number, the legal office will not have access to any online worksheets.

· Online Survey: Following a visit to the legal office, clients are encouraged to provide feedback concerning the professionalism and helpfulness of our legal professionals.

Many clients have visited a legal office to obtain a will or other legal document, and realize after arriving that they need to gather more information or documents from home. Sometimes a client realizes they need to speak with their spouse about an issue. Completing an online worksheet will help minimize these multiple visits. By filling out an online worksheet, clients will able to consider critical issues online prior to visiting the legal office. After receiving a ticket number, a client may take their ticket number to the legal office. An attorney or paralegal will then access a client's data with the ticket number. This will reduce the amount of information the client needs to bring with them, and allow the legal office to streamline the process to some degree.

While the website increases convenience for clients, everyone should note the following:

· Information on the Web site is for educational and informational purposes only. The Web site can't replace consultation with your local JAG, and Airmen should never rely solely on the Web site when making decisions.

· The Web site will not alleviate the need to visit the legal office, but will decrease the amount of time spent at the office. For Powers of Attorney, just stop by the legal office with your ticket number. No appointment is necessary. For wills, living wills and health care POA's, a scheduled appointment with a JAG is necessary. However, the website will decrease the amount of time spent filling out paperwork at the legal office.

· The Web site is designed for client convenience, but no one is required to use the Web site prior to visiting the legal office.

Take a look at the website next time a legal need arises, and visit the legal office during legal assistance hours of 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.. For POAs, no appointment is necessary. After visiting the legal assistance Web site stop by the office. For wills, after completing your online questionnaire call 552-3046 to schedule an appointment.