Legal Assistance

The Service Members Civil Relief Act was passed by congress to provide protection to anyone entering or called to active duty in the US Armed 'Forces. These protections are available to members of the National Guard when in active federal service. Protections commence on the date the service member enters active duty. The SMCRA covers such issues as rental agreements, security deposits, prepaid rent, eviction, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgage interest rates, Auto Leases, mortgage foreclosure, civil judicial proceedings, and income tax payments. For example one of the most widely known benefits under the SMCRA is the ability to reduce consumer debt and mortgage interest rates to 6% under certain circumstances. If you believe being called to active military service has impacted your ability to meet your obligations, please contact your nearest legal assistance office to see if the SMCRA offers you some protection.

All military services have legal assistance officers available to assist families with legal problems during periods of active duty. Typical legal services involve wills, powers of attorney, child support, income tax returns and contractual disputes. Although legal assistance officers cannot represent family members in court, they can negotiate on your behalf. Generally, the military services offer limited legal assistance to Guard members during inactive duty training periods to prepare legal documents such as wills and powers of attorney needed in the event of an involuntary call to active duty. Each military service has specific regulations regarding the extent of legal assistance they provide. For further information, contact your nearest legal assistance office to determine what assistance is available to you.

For a copy of the Service Members Civil Relief Act Visit the Mobilization Tab link on this website at Service Member Civil Relief Act