Family Law Advisor®
Articles

There are more non-active military members being called up in response to the current Iraq "crisis" than have been called up since World War II. Deployments since the Gulf war have gotten longer. MANY people are being impacted-- some who own their own businesses, some who work for large or small employers. Thanks to email, they will to be as cut off as was the case in the Gulf war-- but many things they don't usually have to deal with will need to be addressed. Some of the National Guard and Reserve members being called up will need family law help-- and some need other non adversarial work. Although I don't advertise this on this web site, I have long done this sort of work-- simple wills, simple living trusts, durable powers of attorney for health care, powers of attorneys, business arrangements and such. All things which fall within my values as you may have read about them on my Divorcenet main site. There have been a lot of articles on the legal press lately on this, and I understand-- as I was a member of the United States Air Force and have many friends who are now or were in the National Guard. SO if you are looking for help with these issues-- even after you have deployed if you have Internet access, I can help service members deal with the difficulties in being deployed. (In addition to uncontested, collaborative divorce and prenuptial agreements. If all you end is a simple consultation over the Internet I will not charge for this. If you need solid work done I will do it for the least I can and do a good job for you!) These include: You may need a will- or a living trust. "Off the shelf" forms or those done by the JAG are really only good if you are single. (I know-- I had one!) Your spouse may need a limited power of attorney to take care of things while you are away. (Sad to say, a general power of attorney may be overkill-- some wives and husbands left behind have used them inappropriately.) You may need to understand your rights under the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act. This may be able to shield you or your dependents from eviction and other court matters while you are deployed. You may even qualify for reduced mortgage payments and other "perks" which help offset the difficulty in being in military service in the middle of a civilian life. You probably have protection under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. You may need to alter court orders for child support and child custody. (Always best if done by agreement.) If you own a small business you may need advice on things now that you didn't need before. I cannot practice law in a state other than California, but some things are either federal law-- I'm allowed to do that-- or general, so if you have a question, send me an email. I will get back to you "in real time" as we said in the USAF. Well, I have to book now-- I hope you are hard at work and not skating… QSL? I thought so! - - Law Offices E. Carroll Straus