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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.