Service members and their families can take advantage of a host of no-cost legal assistance services. Whether you need help making sense of a lease agreement, creating an estate plan, seeking legal guidance on adoption or other matters, Military OneSource is there for support and direction.

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Legal and Financial Considerations for LGBTQ Service Members

The information in this article will help you understand the benefits and protections available for lesbian and gay service members.

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Understanding Inheritance Issues

Inheriting money or property can be complex. Be prepared by understanding the basics and learning where you can get help.

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Benefits for Families with Special Needs

Learn about federal and state programs that help families with special needs.  Military families can also count on the support of the Exceptional Family Member Program and Military OneSource.

 

 

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Your Military Service Offers a Faster Track to U.S. Citizenship

Every year, thousands of foreign-born service members and their family members become U.S. naturalized citizens. Learn more about steps to become a U.S. citizen and how you can use your military service to speed up the process and save money for processing fees.

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Power of Attorney Basics

A power of attorney is a written document that gives one person the authority to act on another’s behalf for any legal or economic issues.

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Be Proactive With Child Custody

If you’re a military parent who has custody or visitation rights for your children, military service can disrupt those arrangements. But you do have rights.

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How Do I Report a Crime on the Installation?

If the crime occurred on a military installation or military personnel were involved, report the crime to the nearest military police agency or through an investigative office.

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Understanding Mediation

Mediation is a less costly alternative to calling lawyers and heading to court. It’s an informal and confidential way to resolve conflicts with the help of a neutral mediator.

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What is Estate Planning?

Estate planning ensures that you have your affairs in order for your loved ones in the event of your death and makes sure they are cared for according to your wishes.

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What to Expect When Meeting With Your Lawyer

Knowing what to expect when you meet with an attorney can make your meeting more productive and efficient. Get the most out of your time together by following these tips before and during your meeting.

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Child Custody Considerations for Service Members and MilSpouses

Many service members have custody of, or visitation rights with, children whose other parent is not the service member’s current spouse. Absences due to military service can undermine and disrupt existing arrangements, creating stress on parents and children.

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Life Happens: Legal Assistance and Paperwork for Service Members and Families

You know the drill: paperwork comes with the military. It also comes into play for legal protections — in your professional and personal life.

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Managing the Divorce Process

Divorce and its legal issues can be challenging. You can ease some of the stress, time and costs by understanding what you need to consider as you go through the legal process.

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Your Vote Always Counts, So Be a Responsible Voter

It’s your civic duty as an American to vote, and it is a precious American right. Remember that your vote always counts – not just in close elections, but in every election. And you don’t have to be an expert on the issues to cast a vote. With the proper research, you can vote confidently this election season.

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Voting Becomes Easier for the Mobile Military Life

As a guardian of our nation, you protect the American way of life. And the Federal Voting Assistance Program is here to ensure that you and your family are able to exercise your right to vote.

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Military Legal Resources Available to You

When legal issues arise, service members and their families have a number of resources at their fingertips, much of it free. Legal assistance is available whether you need an expert to review a contract, help with estate planning, finalize deployment-related legal documents, or get advice on mediation for child custody.

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The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act

Moving from place to place requires a lot of effort and changes. Two laws make it easier for military spouses regarding their residency, voting and state taxes.

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12 Situations Where You Can Get Free Legal Help

As a service member or eligible member of a military family, you have access to free legal benefits and services through your legal assistance office — for a wide range of circumstances, from reviewing a lease agreement to doing estate planning to getting advice if you get sued.

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Recognizing the Importance of Special Education Law to Families

Service attorneys, paralegals and Exceptional Family Member Program Family Support Providers from around the world participated in a five-day, joint-service legal training on special education law.

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Free Legal Support for Military Families With Special Needs

As a military family with special needs, you may face unique financial, medical and legal challenges caused, in part, by the demands of military service. Fortunately, you do not need to address these burdens alone; free, military department-provided support services exist to help overcome these challenges.

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Considering the Legal Implications of Drunk Driving and Marijuana Use

Whether you’re living on or off an installation, driving under the influence or possessing or using marijuana can get you in serious trouble in the military. You should understand the consequences of these issues and how to handle them if you do land in legal trouble.

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Know the Laws That Protect Your Child With Special Needs

You want to be an effective advocate for your child with special needs. The first step is to understand the laws that are in place to protect children with special needs.

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Documents for a Deployed Service Member’s Designated Family Caregiver

You want your family to be in the best care possible. Create a family care plan to provide the information and documents necessary for a designated caregiver to care for your family until you come home.

Service member gives legal counsel
Writing a Last Will and Testament

Although writing a last will and testament is not required, it is recommended that service members and their families have wills, even if you do not have kids or valuable property. A valid will is a legally binding document that ensures your wishes are carried out after your death.

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Service Member Privacy Versus Public Access to Information

As service members, you have the right to keep your personally identifiable information private. Meanwhile, the public has the right to access federal agency records.