Fort Sill Legal Office Profile
The Fort Sill Legal Office, located on Fort Sill Military Base in Oklahoma, plays a crucial role in providing essential legal services to military personnel and their families. Established to meet the specific needs of the military community, the office offers a range of services designed to ensure that service members have access to the legal information they need.
The Fort Sill Legal Office is situated near the heart of the base, making it easily accessible to active-duty military members, their dependents, and retirees. The location allows for a convenient point of contact for the provision of legal assistance, close to where many of their clients live and work.
Historically , military legal assistance offices were created in the early 20th century to handle civil legal matters for service members and their families. The Fort Sill Legal Office follows this tradition, continuing to fulfill this responsibility through a wide array of relocation services, estate planning, legal assistance, family law, tax, and other personal legal matters. This organization aims to alleviate some of the burden that service members can experience during deployment and transition periods by providing legal resources and support to help them get back to their lives quickly and affordably.
By offering free legal advice and information on a variety of civil issues to military members and their families, the Fort Sill Legal Office ensures that service personnel do not have to be burdened by legal difficulties while they serve our country.
Services Available at Fort Sill Legal Office
The Fort Sill Legal Office provides a wide range of legal services to active duty military members, their dependents, and retirees. Family law matters, including divorce, paternity, and child support, are handled through the Family Law Assistant at the Fort Sill Legal Office. The section chief for family law also serves as the notary for all wills requested in the office.
Other services provided include simple wills, summary court-martial, general power of attorney, special power of attorney, medical power of attorney, and the appointment of a military guardian, the latter of which applies to service members who are appointed by a Commanding Officer to have custody of a child. Of course there is always a discharge review board available to assist in upgrade of discharge, depending on rank and time in service. The range of other matters that come through this office is endless, and if you have a legal problem you can think off, chances are good that you can get assistance and get your needs met.
How to Access Legal Help
After you have prepared your Will or Power of Attorney documents, you may need legal assistance while you are on Fort Sill. The Fort Sill Legal Office is very busy with legal assistance matters that include: Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act issues, Durable Powers of Attorney, Wills, Notary services, and preferring of an Article 15 (non-judicial punishment) or submitting other administrative documents, to name just a few. When you call the Fort Sill Legal Office, you may be told that they do not have any appointments for legal assistance matters.
The Fort Sill Legal Office is a National Guard facility. As such, the Fort Sill Legal Office does not have a "walk-in" legal assistance policy. However, the Fort Sill Legal Office does have legal assistance procedures:
- Face-to-face appointments for legal assistance matters:
- Only serviced to the Oklahoma Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve (not Active Duty).
- appointments are available every Thursday, from 0900 – 1200; and 1300 – 1600.
- the public may call in at 580-442-1220, extension 115 to request an appointment.
- no appointment slips are given out, but a phone call requesting an appointment is required.
- there is a limit of two people who will be allowed to attend for each appointment.
- Any Soldier who is on Fort Sill to attend one of the schools and who has an emergency or can show cause why he/she cannot wait for a Thursday appointment, may drop by the Fort Sill Legal Office, room 224, Bldg. 2535, at 1800 Macomb Blvd., between 1300 – 1600, Monday – Thursday and Fridays, they are open from 0830 – 1130. Legal assistance will be provided on a first come/first serve basis. Please note that no notary services or administrative services will be provided at this time.
- Serviced to Oklahoma ANG and US Army Reserve (not Active Duty):
- Walk-in services for wills and notaries will be provided statewide through Jan. 14, 2015.
- Regular walk-in hours will resume Jan 20 and will remain 4-6 p.m. every Tuesday.
Top Questions and Answers
Who is entitled to services at the Fort Sill legal office? Active duty, reserve and retired members and their family members are entitled to legal services at their home legal office. DoD Civilians are entitled to some services on a space-available basis. Contractors are not entitled to legal services.
How do I make an appointment?
To make an appointment for a will, power of attorney, or other document preparations, call 580-442-3387 during duty hours. For all other appointments, you may call or visit the office for availability.
What documents do I need to provide when making a will?
You must provide a valid government issued picture ID (military or civilian), your social security number, and names and addresses of beneficiaries. (If you are married, divorced or widowed and wish to specify your children as beneficiaries , you will also need to provide their names, addresses, and social security numbers). If you are bringing a spouse to the appointment and wish them to be included as a beneficiary, you must also provide their social security number.
What does the legal office charge?
Nothing. Legal assistance services are free to eligible clients.
How do I know what services the legal office provides?
The best way to determine what services the legal office provides is to review the overview of services offered on the home page of the legal office website. Under certain circumstances, the legal office can provide limited services to non-eligible clients on a space-available basis. It is important to note that Space-Available priority is given to active duty personnel, followed by their military family members and then retired personnel and their family members.
Contact Details and Hours of Operation
The Fort Sill Legal Office is committed to serving the legal needs of the Installation and its personnel. You can reach Fort Sill Legal Assistance attorneys and paralegals at 580-442-4053, or log on to AKO, go to the "Legal" tab, and make an appointment online. Their office is located in Room 102 of Building 4920 Mow Way Road (the one-level building next to the IRS building).
Hours of operation for the Fort Sill Legal Office are Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are required for most legal assistance services, including wills and general legal advice. Appointments can be made online, and walk-in services are available for notary and claims.
To connect with a Fort Sill specialist, click here to find available service times. Fort Sill currently offers virtual consultations for most legal assistance services.
Reviews and Success Stories
The Fort Sill Legal Office has a number of individuals who have utilized our services and have been very satisfied. Here are some comments from some of our past customers.
"The staff at the Fort Sill Legal Office helped me resolve my problems, from getting my landlord off my back to ensuring I had child visitation. I really appreciated how they arrived at solutions that worked for everyone involved, including my ex-husband."
"I needed help with my civil suit. I had tried to get an attorney to take my case but could not afford me and they all told me I didn’t have a case. One brief meeting with the Fort Sill legal officer and they advised me of the results of trying to present my case. I appreciated their honesty."
"I have used the Fort Sill Legal Office for about 3 years. I have always gotten the assistance I needed and the output of the legal documents has been more than acceptable. Those that I have had review them have given compliments."
"When I was transferring to Fort Sill , I reached out to the Fort Sill Legal Office for assistance with an urgent family law matter. They resolved it in 24 hours and I am extremely grateful. I would recommend them to anyone needing their services."
"I utilized the Fort Sill Legal Office for a restricted power of attorney. The whole situation was simple and pleasant. I will certainly return there for my legal needs in the future."
