Staff Judge Advocate

42d ABW Legal Office

The Legal Office provides free legal assistance on personal civil legal matters to eligible beneficiaries, including active duty or retired military members and their dependents. Examples of personal civil legal matters include: landlord-tenant law, domestic relations, financial responsibility, consumer law, and other issues involving the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Please note that Air Force personnel who need mobilization- or deployment-related legal assistance will receive highest priority.

Legal assistance attorneys can provide legal advice, conduct general review of documents, draft and send correspondence on the behalf of clients, and assist clients in preparing forms. Legal assistance attorneys cannot, however, represent clients in any court or administrative proceedings or draft or file legal documents with any court.

Customer Service hours are 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., except for the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. Customer service hours for the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month are 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The legal office is closed every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. for training. Our main office line is 334-953-2786. You can also email us at 42ABW.JA.LegalOffice@us.af.mil.

Legal Assistance Hours

Legal Assistance is provided by appointment only on Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m; and Fridays, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.  We also offer walk-in Legal Assistance on Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.  Assistance during walk-in hours is on a first-come, first-served basis and may be delayed due on the unknown volume of incoming clientele.

To ensure prompt service, please schedule an appointment by calling 334-953-2786.

If you are a military member preparing for deployment, the Legal Office will make every effort to accommodate you outside these normal duty hours.

Wills and Estate Planning

Legal assistance attorneys are able to prepare wills and estate planning packages for all military members, dependents, and retirees. Estate packages include living wills, medical powers of attorney, and financial powers of attorney. Given the complex nature of this area of law, all visits in this category are by appointment only.

Completed Will Worksheets must be received by the legal office prior to scheduling a will appointment. Please save the ticket number for future reference.  You may fill out a Will Worksheet at: https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil. Please call our front desk at 334-953-2786 if you need assistance.

Notary and Power of Attorney

The Legal Office offers notary and power of attorney services by appointment. Please call 334-953-2786 or email us at 42ABW.JA.LegalOffice@us.af.mil to make an appointment. Appointments are available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:00p.m. - 2:30p.m.; and Thursday from 9:00a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Tax Center

The Legal Office operates a free tax clinic, located next door to the legal office in Bldg 804, from early February to mid-April. Tax center operating hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Tax assistance services are by appointment only. To schedule a tax appointment for filing purposes, please call the tax center at 334-953-3529.

Claims

The Legal Office processes claims both for and against the Air Force arising out of incidents occurring on Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex and throughout the region. To file a claim with our office, please call 334-953-2786.

For household goods issues, please contact the Air Force Claims Service Center at 1-877-754-1212, or please visit https://claims.jag.af.mil/ to complete all necessary documentation.

Military Justice

The Legal Office provides legal advice on a full range of disciplinary matters to the wing commander, as well as to subordinate units and partner commands under the worldwide mission. We enable commanders to uphold good order and discipline through the efficient and equitable administration of military justice, ranging from administrative actions to general courts-martial.

Area Defense Counsel

The Area Defense Counsel (ADC) provides individual Air Force members independent legal defense representation. Airmen facing adverse administrative action or who are suspected of committing an offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) can receive free confidential advice/representation from a military attorney separate from the base legal office. Air Force members can speak with the ADC or defense paralegal by calling 334-953-2186.

Victim Support Services

The Victims Counsel Program (VCP) provides outstanding legal support to victims of sexual crimes. If you would like to speak with an attorney, please call our office at 228-376-8632 or the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator at 334-953-4416.

The Victim and Witness Assistance Program (VWAP), is a Commander-directed program supported by the Staff Judge Advocate Office. The VWAP Program provides guidance for the treatment of victims and witnesses of crime under the UCMJ. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this program ensures that victims and witnesses receive the information and assistance they deserve. To speak with the base VWAP Coordinator, please call 334-953-2146.