From healthcare to housing, military families are afforded a plethora of benefits for their sacrifice and service to the country.
But one benefit many seem to overlook is legal assistance, which is available at no cost to active-duty Servicemembers (including activated members of the National Guard and Reserve), dependents and retirees.
"By and large, people are surprised by the things we can do," said Capt. John Nelson, chief of legal assistance for I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.  "Many folks aren't aware of it."
With offices located both on Lewis Main (in building 2027 A at the corner of 8th and Liggett) and McChord Field (in the 62nd Airlift Wing headquarters building), getting legal advice and assistance is easy, convenient - and free.
Some of the most common services are powers of attorney and notary services, both of which are done on a walk-in basis at both offices.
Other services include will preparation (including advanced medical directives, known as living wills) and estate planning.
Trained attorneys and paralegals can also assist with uncontested divorce procedures, which could otherwise cost as much as $1,000. Though couples are responsible for filing the paperwork and paying the filing fee, legal services will help with drafting up documents, putting together packets and doling out legal advice. For divorces that are contested, attorneys can represent one side but not both in the same office, and assistance is limited to advice, legal correspondence and paperwork and advocacy. "Pretty much everything leading up to a court appearance," Nelson said.
For those living off-post and seeking to break a lease, legal services can assist. In those cases, staff will "assess the situation and the Landlord Tenant Act," which varies from state to state, Nelson said.
If in doubt about any legal issue, Nelson recommends gathering up all relevant paperwork, coming to one of the offices and setting up an appointment.
"Nothing gets better with time," he said. "Ignoring a legal issue doesn't make it better."
Appointments are not made online or over the phone, and "nine times out of 10 the wait is less than two weeks," Nelson said, adding, "It's a little quieter and easier to get an appointment on McChord."
Once a month, the JBLM office hosts a Reserve/Retiree Service day that offers estate planning services. The next date is Jan. 7.
All other services, except powers of attorney and notary services, are done on an appointment-only basis. For more information, stop by one of the legal services offices or call (253) 477-1875 (Lewis Main) or (253) 982-5513 (McChord). 

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