AF launches new legal assistance Web site

  • Published
  • By Capt. Matthew Ramage-White
  • 55th Wing Legal Office
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The Air Force unveiled a new source of help when it comes to things like a will, power of attorney or other legal question.

The new Air Force legal Web site at www.aflegalassistance.com is designed for active-duty and reserve component members, retirees and family members.

The Web site was created to increase efficiency and track client satisfaction with the Air Force legal assistance program. Because it is a public site, clients may access it from the comfort of their homes without a Common Access Card, or CAC.

Site's features include:

Legal topics: Short papers on common legal assistance topics such as wills and family law issues. It also contains links to other helpful sites.

Legal worksheets: Access to online questionnaires for wills, living wills and powers of attorney. After completing the online worksheet, the Web site provides each client with a unique "ticket number." Data entered by clients is secure and may be accessed only after clients visit their local legal office and provide their ticket numbers to legal office personnel.

Online survey: Following a visit to the legal office, clients are encouraged to provide feedback concerning the professionalism and helpfulness of legal office staff members.

Many clients have visited a legal office to obtain a will or other legal document, and realize after arriving that they need to gather more information or documents from home. Sometimes a client realizes he needs to speak with his spouse about an issue.

Completing an online worksheet will help minimize multiple visits. By filling out an online worksheet, clients can also consider critical issues online prior to visiting the legal office. After receiving a ticket number, a client may take his ticket number to the legal office. An attorney or paralegal will then access the client's data with the ticket number. This reduces the amount of information the client needs to bring with him or her, and allows the legal office to streamline the process to some degree.

While the site increases convenience for clients, everyone should note the following:
Information on the site is for educational and informational purposes only. The site isn't intended to replace consultation with the legal staff, and Airmen should never rely solely on the Web when making decisions.

Clients don't have the ability to print a legal document (will, power of attorney, etc.) from the site. They will need to visit the legal office and provide their ticket numbers to obtain their legal documents.

The site is designed for client convenience, but people aren't required to use the site prior to visiting the legal office.

The Offutt Legal Office staff looks forward to continuing to serve the base community's legal needs. Next time a legal need arises, why not take a look at the Web site?

The base legal office is open for legal assistance Mondays from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - noon 11:00 to 12:00 and Fridays 9 - 10 a.m.