Mission

To deliver professional, candid, independent counsel and full-spectrum legal capabilities to command and the warfighter.

Legal Assistance Services

Powers of Attorney and notary services are provided on a walk-in basis Monday-Friday, 0830-1530.

*Effective 1 April 2024, Peterson and Schriever Legal Offices will not be offering walk-in legal assistance on Wednesdays, but will move to appointment only. Powers of attorney and notary services will still be offered on a walk-in basis from 0830-1530.  Please utilize https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil to prepare your Power of Attorney in advance and bring in your case sensitive ticket number.

Wills, Living Wills and Medical Powers of Attorney are provided by appointment only.  Please follow the instructions below to create your will worksheet and call (719) 556-4871 or (719) 567-5050 to schedule your appointment.

Wills

• Basic will – explains what you would like to happen to your body and property in the event of your death, and designates an executor (also known as a personal representative) to carry out your wishes.  If you are a parent with minor or dependent children, the will also allow you to designate a guardian for your children.
   
• Living will/advance directive – explains your desires regarding life-sustaining medical treatment if you are terminally ill, in a persistent vegetative state, or near death.

Powers of Attorney

Power of Attorney (POA) – allows another person to act on your behalf and handle your business, legal, medical, or personal affairs.  If you are unable to act for yourself due to an assignment or a TDY, consider using a power of attorney.

• General POA – gives another person broad authority to act on your behalf and handle your affairs.
   
• Special POA – a limited power of attorney that allows another person to act on your behalf or handle your affairs only in a specific instance or for a specific purpose (e.g. selling your car or home, paying your taxes, shipping your household goods, obtaining medical care for your children, or making medical decisions for your pet).
   
• Medical POA – allows another person to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself, usually as a result of a medical condition (e.g. a coma).

To get started creating your will or power of attorney:

1. Go to https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil/lass/lass.html (opens in new window)
2. Click on “Legal Worksheets”
3. Click on “Create Will and Advance Medical Directive Worksheet” and/or “Create Power of Attorney (POA) Worksheet.”
4. Follow the instructions on the website.
5. After you complete your will worksheet, you will be provided a case sensitive ticket number for that document; retain the ticket number for each document as you will need to provide them when you make your appointment.

Note:

• If you are married, separate worksheets should be completed for you and your spouse.
• Individuals obtaining a will should allow a minimum of one hour for the appointment and couples should allow a minimum of one and a half hours for the appointment (1.5).
• General and special powers of attorney can be completed at the legal office front desk without an appointment; medical powers of attorney require meeting with an attorney and can be completed during a will appointment.

Legal Assistance

• In addition to the above, our offices are available to assist military families and retirees with legal issues regarding: SCRA (Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act) and USERRA (Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act); family law (separations, divorce, child custody, adoptions), consumer law, probate law, immigration/naturalization law, and landlord-tenant law. (Not an exhaustive list)
• Members should first visit https://www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/Index.cfm (opens in new window) for information, instructions and self-help forms, before contacting the legal office to consult with an attorney.  Members can also visit the El Paso County Bar Association webpage to check availability for free or low-cost legal assistance at https://www.elpasocountybar.org/public-resourc (opens in new window).

The links provided are for informational purposes only.  Federal endorsement is not intended or implied. The USAF does not verify the validity of the content of these websites.

Note:

• Our office does not represent members in court proceedings for any legal matters. 
• Our office does not assist with criminal matters or represent airmen or guardians who are facing adverse administrative actions (e.g. LOC/A/Rs, Article 15s, Discharges). For assistance with these types of matters, contact the Area Defense Counsel (ADC) at DSN 834-7611 or Comm 719-556-7611.

*****The SBD 1/JA office is closed on Family Days and Holidays, and on the second Wednesday of every month from 1130 to 1630 for training.*****