Are you ready to deploy? Published April 27, 2006 By Capt. Robert Beyler 319th Air Refueling Wing Legal Office GRAND FORKS AFB, N.D. -- Imagine you’re told, “Pack your bags.” Are you ready to deploy? Are your personal affairs in order? Who will handle your personal affairs while you’re gone? These are questions you need to address before you are told to pack your bags. When you are deployed, it’s important you know your personal affairs are taken care of so you can concentrate on the mission. Some of the stress placed on you while you’re deployed can be alleviated by simply addressing some of the services the legal office offers. WILLS: Do you have a Last Will and Testament? If you have one, is it current? A Will is one of the most important documents you can complete prior to your deployment. Your Will is the document that controls who gets your property if you die. It can also state who you wish to take care of your children if something happens to you and your spouse. If you do not have a Will there is no guarantee your property will be distributed the way you wished or who would be the guardian of your children. If you do not have a Will, then the court may have to determine how your property is distributed and who will be the guardian of your child. Don’t forget that a Will is not just for you. It is also for your survivors, whether they are your spouse, children, parents or siblings. A Will can bring a measure of peace of mind for your survivors who may otherwise anguish over trying to decide what you would have wanted. Without a Will, they are left guessing. With one, they can be sure. A Will is something you should thoroughly consider without being under the pressure of impending deployment. Therefore, it’s important to complete a Will long before you leave. Your legal office can prepare a Will at no charge and can normally draft your will and execute it the same day. Living wills: Suppose through injury or illness you are unable to speak for yourself like the recent Florida case involving Mrs. Terri Schiavo. Does your spouse or a family member know your wishes should you become “terminal” or rendered into a persistently vegetative state? A living Will allows you to decide what life saving measures will be taken on your behalf, and who will speak for you should you suffer an accident or illness that leaves you in a terminal or persistently vegetative state. This document may only be used if you are unable to make these decisions for yourself. A living Will appoints an individual to make decisions about life support treatment, like food, water, or respirators. If you have a strong desire not to remain on life support systems for an extended period of time, this document ensures your desire is known by your loved ones who may otherwise be forced to make one of the most difficult decisions imaginable without knowing what you really wanted. Your legal office can prepare a living will for you and your spouse at the same time we prepare your Will. There is no charge for this service. Powers of attorney: Powers of Attorney permit another individual to act on your behalf. There are two types of Powers of Attorney - General and Special. A General Power of Attorney allows an individual to handle many aspects of your personal affairs. They can sign your name to documents, sell your vehicle or house, write checks, or pay your bills. A Special Power of Attorney is a limited grant of authority. It allows an individual to act on your behalf for one or more specific acts. The advantage to a General Power of Attorney is that one document covers many areas. That is also its disadvantage, however. A Special Power of Attorney, due to its limited nature, is “safer,” but more than one document would be needed to cover many specific tasks, and these tasks will have to be foreseen the Power of Attorney is prepared. Note that for some financial and real estate activities, a bank or government agency may not accept a General Power of Attorney, insisting upon a Special Power of Attorney. Powers of Attorney are usually given for one year so they should be updated on a yearly basis. Everyone’s situation is unique. If you are unsure whether you need a General or Special Power of Attorney, your legal office personnel can assist you.