Legal Services Provided at Fort Cavazos
The legal assistance office at Fort Cavazos provides a valuable resource for service members, their families, and eligible civilians. It is essential to know what type of legal services are available and who is entitled to use them. At Fort Cavazos, the legal assistance facility falls under the administrative control of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA) and is located curently in Building 130, 31st Street, Coursey Road. Civic Life Learning Center, Gonzales Hall. Hours of operation are currently Tuesday-Friday 0800-1600 and the service is closed for all Federal holidays and training days.
Estate planning, consumer law matters, like lemon law and fraud, landlord and tenant disputes, notary services, landlord-tenant laws, domestic law, including divorce, adoption, and name changes, wills, living wills, and advance medical directives, tax questions, and most other civil legal matters are covered by legal assistance attorneys at Fort Cavazos.
Eligibility for Army Legal Assistance Legal assistance services at Fort Cavazos are primarily provided for active-duty military members and their eligible family members. However, Fort Cavazos legal assistance offers services to a limited number of other people. Eligible classes include: All others are not eligible for legal assistance services. These classifications will be discussed further below.
Legal assistance is available to active duty service members, retirees and families when legal issues arise. That said, it is important to understand that no one is "entitled" to legal assistance. Rather, legal assistance is intended to be a "give and take" situation where the needs of the garrison are met with the availability of legal assistance.
To that end, Fort Cavazos legal assistance attornies prioritize requests for legal assistance based on two factors: First, the need for assistance, and second, the availability of an attorney or paralegal.
Priority of Legal Assistance Services The following is a list of the eligibility criteria. In other words, the staff will consider the most important first, then go down the list till full legality can be served.
Naturalized citizens who enlisted in the military as foreign nationals , and have deferred their naturalization to serve under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.
Retired military personnel are eligible to utilize legal assistance within two years following their official date of retirement. If it has been more than two years since your retirement, you are no longer eligible for legal assistance. That being said, you still may have some options for help with personal civil legal matters.
Ordinarily, those who are not spouses, dependent family members, or retired military personnel are ineligible for legal assistance. There are a few exceptions, which are outlined below:
Civilian employees of non-appropriated funds may receive legal assistance as long as the legal assistance is provided during their off-duty hours.
Civilian employees of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, and other US government agencies and their dependents may obtain legal assistance from the Fort Cavazos legal assistance office or through referral to civilian counsel, as long as the matters involved are contributing to stability and mission accomplishment as defined by the judge advocate.
Civilian employees of the Army and other government agencies who are assigned to post camps or stations which are geographically remote and which are within prescribed distance from Fort Cavazos may obtain limited legal assistance, including preparation of wills and durable powers of attorney, from the Fort Cavazos legal assistance office or through referral to civilian counsel.
Civilian employees of Army and other government agencies on temporary assignment to Fort Cavazos may obtain limited legal assistance, including preparation of wills and durable powers of attorney.
Mobilized non-commissioned officers of the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, and volunteer or retired members of the Army Nurse Corps, Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Regular Army, ROTC, and disabled veterans unable to secure and pay for their legal services.
Military members and their family may contact the Fort Cavazos legal assistance office directly, and should do so as soon as possible.
Who Can Get Legal Aid
Fort Cavazos offers multiple options for individuals seeking legal aid. Eligibility to receive this assistance is at the discretion of each practice area. Generally, eligibility requirements could include but are not limited to the following elements.
-Documentation to show that the client is an active duty military member of the Fort Cavazos or the family member of such a service member
-Active or retired service members who are enrolled or eligible to enroll in the DoD’s TRICARE health care program. Families may also be eligible to receive legal assistance if the member is retired and has selected the Retired Service Member’s Family Protection Plan (RSFMFP) or Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) deduction
-Dependents who are unmarried and under the age of 23 with a valid AF Form 622 ensuring their request to become engaged and/or marry or if registered in DEERS. This includes disabled adult dependents and legal guardians who have presented a court order as proof of guardianship.
Types of Cases Covered
Fort Cavazos’ legal assistance provides support to active-duty service members and their families in addressing a variety of legal matters. Among the common issues addressed by legal assistance attorneys are those related to family law and estate planning.
Family law issues frequently requested include reviewing a family care plan for adequacy; establishing paternity; preparing documents to support modification of a child support obligation; preparing an acknowledgment of paternity; determining military eligibility for divorce, or reviewing a divorce settlement agreement; and drafting and certifying a statutory power of attorney. Depending on specific facts and circumstances, Fort Cavazos will also assist in directing service members to legal resources related to resolving tax issues, estate planning, immigration, consumer protection and veterans benefits.
Estate planning is another significant area of family law in which Fort Cavazos’ legal assistance offers invaluable support. Estate planning is often confusing, and even the most regimented persons may benefit from help in making legal decisions related to estate planning. Dying without a will leaves an estate in the hands of state law. Relatedly, if there is no federal estate plan in place, spouses risk losing money due to the tax implications of a large estate.
From drafting a will to designating a beneficiary to health care, Fort Cavazos’ legal assistance aims to reduce stressors associated with military life.
How to Seek Legal Aid
Scheduling Appointments at Fort Cavazos Legal Assistance Office
Schedule a legal assistance appointment online at https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/. For issues such as estate planning, that are likely to take more than one appointment, or for issues that you do not see on the screen, call our office at 254-287-7905.
Most forms of legal assistance are available by appointment only. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 0830-1630, except Federal holidays and the last working day of the month .
Walk-in legal assistance services are available Tuesday and Thursday from 1000 to 1130 for general questions about how we can assist you or where to get a notary. You may also use that time to pick up a pocket guide, pamphlet, or form you may need.
Hours of operation. The law office is open Monday through Friday, 0730-1630. The office is closed on federal holidays and the last working day of the month.
Common Queries
Q: Do I need an appointment for legal assistance services at Fort Cavazos?
A: No appointment is necessary for legal assistance services. Legal Services hours of operation include Monday through Friday from 08:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. But, be sure to check for the latest updates on the official Fort Cavazos website.
Q: What legal matters are covered?
A: Legal assistance is generally limited to matters affecting Military personnel and their family members. You may also receive assistance regarding civil matters involving state and local laws, federal income tax matters, landlord-tenant issues and actions involving the protection of the environment (e.g. environmental cleanup litigation) – but only if the government has agreed to fund legal representation and only when suit has been filed or threatened against the military member. A valid military ID is required to be seen at legal assistance for other than Reserve and National Guard members while on active duty. Family member ID cards are accepted as valid identification for family members.
Q: Can family members use legal assistance services?
A: Yes, family members are entitled to legal assistance services, provided a valid military ID pass or ID card is presented. However, services generally are not extended to parents, sisters, brothers, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles and aunts of service members by virtue of their dependency or relationship with the Military member.
Q: Where is the legal assistance office located?
A: The Legal Assistance Office is located in Building 123, 33rd Street, just behind Farrar Restaurant on Division Avenue in Fort Cavazos.
Advantages of Legal Aid
In the dynamic and often high-pressure environment of military life, service personnel and their families can face unique legal challenges that require specialized knowledge and understanding of both military and civilian law. This is where the legal services offered at Fort Cavazos come into play. The benefits of accessing these on-post legal services extend beyond the immediate resolution of legal concerns; they also foster a sense of stability and assurance within the military community.
Utilizing the legal office at Fort Cavazos ensures that military members and their families have access to convenient, efficient, and free legal assistance. This service allows service members to more effectively focus on their military duties without being distracted by legal uncertainties or the fear that they may be unable to address important legal issues. For many, this leads to a greater focus on mission readiness and completion, knowing that their personal and legal affairs are in order.
Legal assistance also provides peace of mind in other ways. Active duty service members and their dependents are entitled to notary services , which can be essential for any number of personal or financial transactions. Other areas of legal assistance include preparation of wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives—essential documents that provide security and protection for both the soldier and their family members. These services also allow for the creation of estate plans at no cost, eliminating what could be a significant financial burden for many.
Finally, those who are stationed at Fort Cavazos should also take advantage of the opportunity to receive preventative legal education. This education helps service members and their families better prepare for legal issues they may encounter in the future, whether in their personal lives or during military stints away from their home station.
Overall, there are myriad reasons to turn to the legal services provided through Fort Cavazos. In many cases, the benefits of these services will be apparent long after the legal matter is resolved.
