Legal assistance professionals save Fairchild Airmen $600k+ per year Published May 13, 2011 By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- If Fairchild's Total Force Airmen, retirees and their family members living across the Inland Northwest had to pay for the legal advice received and documents prepared for them last year, it would be more than $600K. "People deal with their personal lives every day. When we're able to help a client it means they can focus on the mission," said 1st Lt. Allen Abrams, 92nd Air Refueling Wing's chief of legal assistance and preventive law. The legal office provides confidential legal assistance for personal, non-commercial and civil matters. Examples range from providing consultations on adoption and divorce to landlord-tenant disputes and identity theft. "Sometimes I'm able to help a client in 30 minutes and in other cases I may have to do research for a couple days. It's a great feeling to be able to help and provide a legal service at no cost to the member," said Lieutenant Abrams. The legal office is equipped to handle tax questions, erroneous debit and credit card charges, writing letters on a member's behalf and even immigration issues or handling an auto purchase gone awry. Thus far, the legal team has consulted more than 300 clients this year and has helped prepare more than 1,300 wills, powers of attorney and advanced medical directives. The Judge Advocate General of the Air Force has named the 92nd ARW Legal Office to his Legal Assistance Honor Roll for the last eight consecutive months. For Tech. Sgt. Steven Eagan, noncommissioned officer in charge of civil law, the most memorable instances of supporting customers are those that involve traveling into the local community. "For a retiree who is in the hospital who needs a will or a power of attorney for healthcare - three of us will travel to avoid having the patient transported to the base," said Sergeant Eagan. "It's rewarding because it gives the individual and their family peace of mind." The majority of assistance provided to customers has been will preparation, said Maj. Roger McIllece, the deputy staff judge advocate. But he also says to be proactive about any legal issues that may arise during a member's deployment. "Military members are highly encouraged to seek out legal assistance and settle their legal affairs well in advance of deployment," said Major McIllece. "Early planning is the key to avoid emergency situations and the possibility of serious financial or legal consequences." The Air Force's Legal Assistance website is an excellent resource for all eligible legal assistance clients. Surf to https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil/. Walk-In Legal Assistance 8-9 a.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays Notary Service & Powers of Attorney 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays For will preparation please call 247-2838