Something for nothing: Free legal advice Published Sept. 10, 2014 By Malmstrom Air Force Base Legal Office MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Have you stopped by the legal office lately? It is important for all military members to maintain legal readiness and ensure that worries over legal matters do not hinder mission accomplishment. Legal concerns are particularly daunting for deploying members, due to the many considerations that go along with leaving home for an extended period of time. However, there is no reason to wait until being tasked to deploy to stop in and take advantage of all of the services the legal office has to offer. The Malmstrom Air Force Base Legal Office is making a significant impact in the lives of our Airmen through our legal assistance program. So far this year, our office has conducted over 1,100 office visits and generated over 1,500 notaries. Much of the work we do is related to deployment readiness, and we have prepared and executed over 1,100 documents consisting mainly of wills and powers of attorney. Our services are always provided free of charge to eligible active duty, Guard, Reserve, retired military members and their dependents. This saves members substantial amounts of money in legal fees. If members were to see civilian attorneys for this legal assistance, the typical cost would range between $250 and $400 per hour. In 2013, Malmstrom Airmen saved over $310,000 in legal fees for the services obtained at the legal office. The base legal office, located in Bldg. 770, provides legal assistance and advice on a variety of topics, most commonly including will preparation, powers of attorney, legal advice on domestic relations, consumer affairs and landlord-tenant issues. Appointments are available to speak with an attorney on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and on Wednesdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Notary and powers of attorney services are available on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. In advance of an appointment, members should use our convenient legal assistance website to fill out a worksheet for wills, living wills, powers of attorney (general, special or health care), ask a legal question or leave feedback for on-base attorneys. Our website is located at https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil. General information and sample forms covering a wide range of useful legal topics including protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, taxation, immigration, marriage and divorce can also be found on the website. For more information on legal services available, or to set up an appointment to speak with an attorney, call the Malmstrom Base Legal Office at 731-2878 or stop in and see us.