Servicemembers & Deployment
Legal Tips
No one wants to think about the worst, but anything can happen during a deployment. Try to have your legal affairs in order before a deployment occurs, just to be prepared. The following information provides tips on what you can do in order to make sure all of your legal concerns are taken care of:
Legal Documents
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Power of Attorney
Single servicemembers may want to give power of attorney to a trusted loved one should illness or injury occur on deployment that prevents them from acting in their own legal interest.
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Living Will
Servicemembers should draw up a living will so that their wishes can be carried out in case of death or serious injury. The military has legal service offices set up to help servicemembers and their families create living wills and other legal documents. You can find an office near you with the U.S. Armed Forces Legal Assistance (AFLA) Services Locator.
Personal Records
Servicemembers should leave their families or other loved ones with copies of important legal records. Make sure the records are stored in a secure, yet easily accessible location. Here is a suggested list of documents to include:
- all medical and dental records
- birth certificates
- marriage certificates
- divorce papers
- discharge papers
- passports
- visas
- military orders
- mortgages
- deeds
- lease agreements
- car titles and registrations
- loan and bank account numbers and statements
Furthermore, loved ones should know their servicemember’s exact unit—company, battalion and brigade, as well as the names of the first sergeant and company commander. They also should have contact information for the servicemember's rear detachment.
