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LegalThe Eglin Legal Office provides full spectrum legal support to the 96th Test Wing, seven tenant wings or wing equivalents, and 37 associate units from multiple MAJCOMs on the largest military installation in the Department of Defense.  In addition to supporting the Air Force's largest single base mobility commitment, the Eglin Legal Office provides military justice support to a special court-martial convening authority, provides legal support for the test and acquisition of armament systems employed by all DoD services and serves a legal assistance client base of approximately 90,000 people.

 

 

Contact Info & Hours

The office is located on between 2nd and 3rd streets on Van Matre Avenue in Building 2, across the street from the Airman and Family Readiness Center and just down the street from the MPF.

Mailing Address
Legal Office
501 W. Van Matre Ave., Bldg 2, Suite 1
Eglin AFB, FL 32542-5487

Phone
Comm 850-882-4612 or 4613
DSN 872-4612 or 4613

Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., except Thursdays - 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, closed at 1 p.m.

Powers of Attorney and Notary Service
 Available on a walk-in basis Monday, Tuesday, Friday - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., 
Wednesday – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (9:30 – 10:30 am No walk-in POA’s or Notary Service)
Thursday - 8 am - 2 pm
Note the 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, the Legal office closes at 1 pm

Legal Assistance Hours

Open for all eligible clientele, including retirees and their dependents (Eligible Clientele: active duty and their dependents, retirees and their dependents, reservists/National Guardsmen and their dependents when on active orders)
Walk-in hours for power of attorneys and notaries:
Monday - Friday - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., except Thursdays - 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, closed at 1 p.m.
Note the 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, the Legal office closes at 1 p.m.
To schedule a legal assistance appointment, including wills, please call 882-4612 or 4613.

Powers of Attorney

With some planning, most people can usually handle their own affairs. However, there are times when you might need someone to act as your agent in your absence, to handle a particular piece of business. If you appoint someone to act for you, you do so by giving him or her your power of attorney. These documents are particularly useful for managing personal affairs during deployments.

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows another to conduct legal actions on your behalf (such as selling a house or registering a car) and can be either special (usually connected with a single transaction or event) or general (total power over another's legal affairs). Special powers of attorney are usually the best choice because they are drafted to fit individual needs on a one-time basis or for a limited period of time. The Legal Office is prepared to draft both. For more information see the Powers of Attorney Fact Sheet. 

Before coming to our office for service, please complete our web-based Power of Attorney worksheet located on the Air Force Legal Assistance Website.

Go to the worksheet, select  "Legal Worksheets" and click the "Create Power of Attorney Worksheet" button. Please bring the ticket number that corresponds to the  Worksheet when you come to our office for service.

HOURS Available on a walk-in basis Monday, Tuesday, Friday - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., 
Wednesday – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (9:30 – 10:30 am No walk-in POA’s or Notary Service)
Thursday - 8 am - 2 pm
Note the 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, the Legal office closes at 1 pm

Legal Assistance

LEGAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

The Legal Office provides legal services and advice absolutely free to all active duty personnel and their dependents along with Reservists and Guardsmen on federal active duty and their dependents. In addition, retired personnel, their dependents, and dependent survivors may also receive legal assistance to the extent personnel and facilities are available.

Air Force attorneys and paralegals can assist eligible personnel with wills, powers of attorney, notary service, or advice on personal civil legal matters such as adoption, domestic relations, landlord-tenant issues (for tenants only), tax assistance, and consumer law questions. Legal assistance officers are licensed attorneys who are assigned by the Air Force to advise and counsel members on personal legal problems.

Limitations on Legal Assistance

The Legal Assistance Program offers counseling for personal civil matters only. Legal assistance officers cannot represent clients in court, prepare or file documents with a court, nor can they advise persons who have hired a civilian attorney on the same subject matter. They cannot advise about criminal matters, or Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) related offenses, (active duty members with these issues should contact the Area Defense Counsel Office) nor can they assist someone to avoid paying a debt or advise someone regarding a private business and other outside employment. They are also prohibited from preparing personal legal documents on behalf of those eligible, except for wills, powers of attorney, and affidavits.

Deployment

Our primary goal and first priority is to ensure members and their families are prepared for deployment. That means the legal offices works with members to ensure everything is in order. This includes the preparation of wills, advance medical directives (living will and medical power of attorney), general/special powers of attorney, and assisting in arrangement to help support service members and their families.  If you or a family member is deploying soon, please attend our walk-in legal assistance hours or call our office to make an appointment. Please make every effort to visit our office or call and schedule an appointment as soon as possible after receiving deployment notification.

Wills and Estates

A will is a written legal declaration of how personal property should be distributed after death. The Legal Office can assist eligible military and family members in preparing a will.  Before making an appointment, members should review the Will Considerations For Military Families fact sheet and complete a Will Questionnaire Worksheet located on the Air Force Legal Assistance Website. 

To complete the worksheet, click on this link and select  "Legal Worksheets" and click the "Create Will and Advance Medical Directive Worksheet" button. Please keep the ticket number that corresponds to the Will Worksheet.

· Active duty and dependents:  Will appointments can be made during our walk-in hours.

· Retirees and Eligible Dependents:  Once completed, please have your ticket number available and call (850) 882-4612 or 4613 to make an appointment to finalize your will in person.

WILLS
Active duty and dependents:  Will appointments can be made anytime during our normal business hours

Retirees and Eligible Dependents
Legal Assistance and Will creation are handled by appointment only.  Please call 850-882-4612 or 4613 to schedule an appointment.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE FEEDBACK

We are always striving to improve our customer service.  If you have visited our office recently for Legal Assistance, please take the time to complete our feedback survey located on the Air Force Legal Assistance Website.
 

VWAP

The Victim and Witness Assistance Program is a commander-directed program that is supported by the Staff Judge Advocate Office. The VWAP program provides guidance for the treatment of victims and witnesses of crime under the UCMJ. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, the program ensures that victims and witnesses receive the information and assistance they deserve.  Please review the VWAP Pamphlet for more information concerning the Victim/Witness Assistance Program at Eglin Air Force Base and the programs/services available.

Information explaining the Transitional Compensation Program and the Retired Pay for Abused Dependents Program (DoD Compensation Program)

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office
The Department of Defense does not tolerate sexual assault and has implemented a comprehensive policy that reinforces a culture of prevention, response and accountability that ensures the safety, dignity and well-being of all members of the Armed Forces.   For more information, visit Eglin SAPR office webpage.

The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator can be reached 24 hours a day at (850) 240-3219 or 882-7272 (SARC) (DSN 872-2122).

Other Helpful Resources
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE.
The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-HOPE.

Legal Claims

Air Force Claims Service Center

The Air Force Claims Service Center now processes personnel claims for Airmen and civilian employees worldwide. Those with household goods shipment, personal property and vehicle damage claims may benefit from this streamlined on-line claims process.

To file a claim online.  The web site also lists a toll-free and DSN numbers for assistance filing a claim.

Household goods and personal property claims for sister branches

Army
OSJA CLAIMS OFFICE
453 NOVOSEL STREET, BUILDING 5700, SUITE 321
FORT RUCKER, AL 36362

Telephone numbers:
(334) 255-2517
DSN: 558-2517

More information about Army claims.

Marine Corps
HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
PERSONAL AND FAMILY READINESS DIVISION (CODE MRP-2 CLAIMS)
3280 RUSSELL ROAD
QUANTICO, VA 22134-5103

Telephone:
(703) 784-9533

More information about Marine claims.

Navy
PERSONNEL CLAIMS UNIT NORFOLK
9053 FIRST STREET SUITE 102
NORFOLK, VA 23511-3605

Telephone Numbers:
(888) 897-8217
DSN: 564-3310

Tax Center

Tax Center - 882-1040
The Tax Center provides free tax preparation for all members of Team Eglin to include military members, dependents, DoD civilians and retirees in the local area with some restrictions based on complexity of return.

The Tax Center is in Bldg. 451 on N. 2nd St just south-west of the McKinley Climatic Laboratory Hanger.  During tax season (Jan to April) it is open M-F, 8  to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.  Wednesdays are reserved for 1040EZ easy return walk-in clients.  All other days require an appointment.

For more information regarding income taxes, please visit the Tax Resources tab on this page.

Area Defense Counsel

Area Defense Counsel - DSN 872-4185 or 850-882-4185

NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE BASE LEGAL OFFICE

The Area Defense Counsel is a part of the Air Force Legal Operations Agency and does not report to any commander assigned to Eglin Air Force Base.  Purposefully, the ADC is completely separate from the Eglin Legal Office.  This organizational structure allows the ADC to zealously advocate on the behalf of Air Force members to their command.   Client communications with the ADC are covered by the Attorney-Client Privilege and are held in strict confidence.

The ADC provides assistance and representation to members on the following matters:  suspected violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice; Courts-Martial; Nonjudicial Punishment (Article 15); Administrative Discharge; Administrative Demotion; Letters of Counseling, Admonishment, and Reprimand; EPR/OPR Referrals; Promotion Propriety Actions; Accident and Safety Investigations; Flying Evaluation Boards; Line of Duty Determinations; Medical Officer Decredentialing Boards; Reports of Survey; and Denial/Revocation of Security Clearance.  This list is not exhaustive and you are encouraged to consult with the ADC office regarding your specific matter.
 

JAG recruiting

Discover the possibilities of becoming an Air Force Judge Advocate. Each year, approximately 100-120 attorneys are selected as Air Force Judge Advocates through several different accession programs. JAG Recruiting Information

Interested in becoming an Active Duty or Reserve Paralegal for the Air Force? Contact the Legal Office Superintendent at (850) 882-4612 or 4613 or DSN 872-4612 or 4613.

Contact numbers

Legal Assistance
(850) 882-4612 or 4613

Claims
(850) 882-4612 or 4613

On-Call JAG
[Eglin Command Post]
(850) 883-4020

Area Defense Counsel
(not affiliated with base legal office)
(850) 882-4185 or 4186

Library