Prepare for Deployment: Get Organized
by
Melanie Cullen
Get your legal records, finances, and benefits in ship-out shape.
Deployment orders raise many personal and practical concerns. One of the most common is a desire to get things in order -- and the need to do so quickly. You want to protect and care for your home and loved ones, even while away.
To help you achieve these goals, here is a checklist of important things to do before you leave.
Prepare Legal Documents
Powers of attorney. It’s a good idea to name someone to handle your bills while you’re deployed or, if you are the sole parent for minor children, name someone as a temporary guardian. Power of attorney documents can be written to grant specific powers to someone you trust (your “agent”). These powers may include paying household bills, accessing your safe deposit box, filing tax returns, renewing car registration, and providing care for minor children (even enrolling children in school and authorizing emergency medical care).
In a power of attorney document, you can specify how long the agent's power will last -- for example, one year, renewed as necessary with a field JAG (Judge Advocate General).
Will. If you own significant property, are married, or have minor children, you should prepare a will. In your will, you can name beneficiaries for your property and, if applicable, name a guardian for your children. Preparing a will doesn't have to be complicated; for information on simple wills, see The Simple Will: No Frills, No Fuss, No Anxiety.
Help with legal documents. You can make your own will and basic power of attorney documents using Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker Plus. If you have questions or need more help with these legal documents, contact the JAG office at your installation.
|
