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Active-Duty Deployment: Legal Preparation
HMForces.co.uk
It’s difficult to drop everything and leave for deployment, particularly if you’re involved with a complicated legal case, or haven’t put your legal affairs in order yet. Everyone should take care of at least the following before you leave:
Wills: One of the most important tasks an individual or couple can do, regardless of their occupation is to prepare a will. This is especially important if you own property or other valuable assets that you would like passed on to specific people, or if you have children. A will is also very useful if you are in a serious relationship, but are not married or in a civil partnership.
Don’t forget to update your will if your personal circumstances have changed, for example if you have recently married or divorced. Military personnel can make a simple will by completing MoD form 106. The will is then stored at the MoD Document Holding Centre in Glasgow.
Power of Attorney: A power of attorney gives someone else (a spouse, relative, good friend) the legal power to act on your behalf in specific circumstances such as banking transactions.
Housing Issues: If you own property and it’s registered just in your name, you need to check that there will be no issues about your partner living in the house. Similarly, if you are in rented accommodation and the tenancy is in your name you should ask the landlord if this is going to cause any problems while you are away.
Parental Responsibility: If your partner is an unmarried father and is either a step-father, or is responsible for your children and is not registered as the father on the birth certificate, he should consider getting parental responsibility. This will allow him to deal with authorities regarding health or schooling matters.
Reviewing Personal Insurance Needs: The MoD has ensured that there are some life insurance schemes that will provide accident and life cover for the duration of the tour at reasonable prices. This means that members of the British Armed Forces are never refused life insurance cover regardless of their activity. If you are unsure as to the best course of action you should contact a qualified financial advisor.
The MoD doesn’t actually provide life insurance, nor does it recommend commercial companies. However, it has arranged a special policy with a commercial life insurance product for all service members, including reserves. This means that members of the British Armed Forces are never refused life insurance cover regardless of their activity.
Army Dependant’s Trust (ADT): It is recommended that all service personnel join the ADT as they provide immediate financial support to families is an ADT member is killed. Annual subscriptions are currently £5 and you can get application forms from the Reserve Training and Mobilisation Centre (RTMC).
Spouse ID Cards: Your dependents might be eligible for passes or ID cards for your local unit or military station while you are deployed. Contact your Unit Welfare Officer for more details.
Service Record: Check that your unit has the correct contact information for your partner or family. An incorrect phone number can delay a response in an emergency.
Vehicle Information: If your car is not going to be used while you are away you don’t have to pay road tax as long as you complete a SORN declaration. You can get this from the Post Office or phone the DVLA on 0870 240 0010. You can also change your car insurance cover to ‘Laid up’ cover. To get these savings the car must be parked off the road, but the engine should be started at regular intervals to keep it in reasonable condition.
Important Information: Are you the one who usually pays bills or who generally knows where all the important paperwork is kept? If you are, make sure you pass this information over to your partner. There is nothing more frustrating than spending ages looking for something when you know that someone else knows exactly where it is.
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