You've just been counseled by your First Sergeant and told that Air Force regulations require you to prepare a family care plan. Right now you probably have a lot more questions than answers: Where do I start?, What do I do first?, What forms need to be filled out?, etc. It may seem a bit overwhelming so, the first thing to do is relax and read this booklet. It has been designed to help you answer most of your questions, and in it you will find good information and instructions that will help you prepare an adequate and very workable Family Care Plan. Keep in mind though, the information provided is meant to be general in nature and may not cover your situation exactly. If you still have questions after you have read through this booklet, please contact your First Sergeant for additional guidance.

CHAPTER 1. Family Care Responsibilities

1-1. Terms Explained

1-2. Relationship of Family Care to the Performance of Military duties

1-3. Who Is Required to Certify Worldwide Availability on an AF Form 357

1-4. Short-Term Deferments

1-5. Remedial Action Page 3

CHAPTER 2. Developing Your Family Care Plan

2-1. Advance Planning

2-2. Selecting Your Family Care Designee(s)

2-3. Types of Designees

2-4. Powers of Attorney

2-5. Transportation Arrangements

2-6. Financial Arrangements

2-7. DEERS

2-8. Tri-Care

2-9. Delta Dental Plan

2-10. Identification Cards

2-11. BX and Commissary Privileges

2-12. DD Form 93, Emergency Data Card

2-13. Wills

2-14. Important Documents to Have On Hand

CHAPTER 3. Additional Information & Attachments

Att 1. Developing Your Family Care Plan

Att 2. Instructions for Completing AF Form 357

Att 3. Listing of Support Agencies

Att 4. Family Care Planning Checklist

Att 5. Sample Letter Requesting BX and Commissary Privileges

Att 6. Sample Letter Requesting Temporary ID and Base Pass

Att 7. Making A Will Fact Sheet

Att. 8. Making A Will Questionnaire

Att 9. Powers of Attorney Fact Sheet

1-1 Terms Explained.

....a. Member: For the purpose of this program, member refers to any person, commissioned or enlisted, in an active, Reserve, or Air National guard component.

....b. Single Parent Member: An Air Force member who has no spouse but who has family members incapable of self-care. The family members must physically reside in the household with the member.

....c. Military Couple With Family Members: Service members married to each other who are jointly responsible for care of family members incapable of self-care. The family members must physically reside in the household with the member.

....d. Family Member: For the purpose of this program, a person who bears any of the following relationships to the service member:

.......(1) An unmarried child under 19 years of age.

.......(2) A family member 19 years of age or older who is incapable of self-care.

.......(3) A parent or other person related by blood or marriage who depends on the service member(s) for over half of his/her support, is incapable of self-care, and resides in the household with the member(s).

....e. Household: A principal place of abode of the military sponsor, usually located at or within the vicinity of the permanent duty station.

....f. Worldwide Available: Ready for the immediate performance of the full scope of military duties including, but not limited to, permanent change of station (PCS), permanent change of assignment (PCA), unaccompanied tours, temporary tour of duty (TDY) including short notice or no-notice deployment, alerts, recalls, extended duty hours, shift work, and similar military duty obligations.

....g. Family Member Restricted Area: An area where the member is not authorized to take family members. An area where an accompanied by family members tour is not authorized.

....h. Stepparent: A member married to another military member who is the parent or legal guardian of family members who reside in the household of the military couple.

....i. Local Area: For the purpose of this program, local area means:

.......(1) (CITY) area.

.......(2) A city, town, or unincorporated community in which the member resides and commutes from to duty on a regular workday basis.

.......(3) Any point between the member�s off base residence through which the member normally travels en-route to duty.

Note: There may be extraordinary cases in which exceptions to this general definition are appropriate. In those cases, the member�s section supervisor must certify, in writing, that the time and distance involved in transporting the dependents to the local designee does not effect mission requirements. All exceptions must be approved by the unit commander.

1-2. Relationship of Family Care to the Performance of Military Duties. All Air Force members with family members must take the initiative to use all available military and civilian resources at their disposal to make sure their family members receive adequate care, support, and supervision in a manner compatible with the member�s military duties. Unless specifically exempted by AFI 36-2908 (Family Care Plan) or other directive, all members of the Air Force must be worldwide available.

1-3. Who Is Required to Certify Worldwide Availability on an AF Form 357.

....a. Members whose civilian spouses are not capable of providing care for family members or for themselves. Examples of situations where a commander can require a member to make and maintain family care arrangements include:

.......(1) A spouse with limited English language ability.

.......(2) A spouse�s prolonged illness or absence from the local area.

.......(3) Marital separation.

....b. Single military sponsors and military couples with family members.

....c. Stepparents who have not adopted the children residing in their household may have no legal obligation to provide care for those family members. However, there may be times when the presence of these family members, together with the absence of the spouse, may preclude the stepparent from performing a full range of military duties unless the family care arrangements, as specified on the AF Form 357 of the natural or adoptive parent, are implemented. To make sure the stepparent is available the member must complete Item 11 of the spouse�s AF Form 357 certifying that the presence of the stepchild in the household will not preclude the member from completing their military duties.

1-4. Short-Term Deferments. Short-term (60 days) temporary accommodations are allowed to permit the establishment of a family care program by newly assigned single members sponsors, military couples with family members, or those who have recently become single member sponsors or military couples with family members. Thereafter, single member sponsors and both members of a military couple are expected to be worldwide available and participate fully in all unit activities such as alerts, recalls, shift work, exercises, and deployments. Supervisors will not make modifications on a long-term or permanent basis to accommodate (work around) unique family care arrangements of members.

1-5. Remedial Action. Prompt command action will be taken against members who, despite counseling and assistance, fail to make and maintain adequate family care arrangements, thereby interfering with their worldwide availability. Action under the UCMJ may be appropriate. Failure to complete an AF Form 357 evidencing arrangements for family care makes a member not worldwide available and therefore subject to disciplinary action. Failure to be worldwide available can be used as a basis for parenthood separation for airman (AFI 36-3208) and in the best interest of the Air Force for officers (AFI 36-3607).

2-1. Advance Planning (the KEY to Family care arrangements).

....a. Family care plans must cover all reasonably practical situations, both short and long-term, and must be sufficiently detailed and systematic to provide for a smooth, rapid transfer of responsibilities to another person during the absence of the military sponsor. THE INDIVIDUAL DESIGNATED TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY MAY NOT BE ANOTHER MILITARY MEMBER BECAUSE THAT MEMBER ALSO MUST REMAIN WORLDWIDE AVAILABLE. If this non-military person does not live in the local area, a non-military person in the local area must be designated to assume temporary custody until such time as the principal designee arrives to assume custody or until the family members are transported to the principle designee.

....b. If you have dual custody of a family member, you MUST insure that your family care arrangements don't violate a divorce decree, separation agreement, or other legally binding agreement or order. In every such case, you should have your family care plan and all legal documents reviewed by the Staff Judge Advocate Office before finalizing the arrangements. Remember, family care arrangements that conflict with legally binding agreements or orders will not be certified as workable.

2-2. Selecting Your Family Care Designee(s). This is the most important phase of your family care planning. The person you select should be responsible, mature, emotionally stable, mobile, and above all, non-military. When you find such a person, ask yourself these questions:

....a. Is this person legally qualified to assume responsibility for my family members? Your designee must be an adult. In (STATE), the age of majority (the age when a person is considered an adult) is (AGE). The age of majority varies from state to state, so check your designee�s age and the law of their state before analyzing your plan. You can get the information you need about state laws from the Base Legal Office.

....b. Does this person share my values? Your designee will be your child�s surrogate parent. They'll be responsible for their care, supervision, and discipline, so you both need to be on the same wave length.

....c. Is this the person I trust with my child�s life? The person you select will have both custody of your family members and medical power of attorney allowing them to act in your behalf. If your family members become seriously ill or is injured, your designee may be compelled to make life and death decisions without consulting you. Ask yourself, "Is this the person I want making these kind of decisions?"

2-3. Types of Designees. You can have as many as three family care designees or as few as one. The types of designees are: short-term, long-term, and alternate. These designees have two things in common; they must be non-military adults, and they must be able to fulfill their responsibilities without the help of another person (concurrent designees are not authorized). Here's a brief explanation of each designee�s role:

....a. Short-Term Designee: This person accepts custody of your family members if you must report for duty for extended hours, recall, or TDY. Here are some key points to remember about your short-term designee:

.......(1) This person must live in the local area. Though not required, base residents should have an on-base designee, while residents in the surrounding communities may want their designee to live in the city, on-base, or at any point between through which they pass en-route to duty.

.......(2) The number of days your designee assumes temporary custody of your family members is limited only by your agreement, but it should not be less than 3 days. This allows your short-term designee adequate time to contact your long-term designee to make travel arrangements if an immediate transfer of family care responsibilities is needed.

.......(3) If your short-term designee isn't your regular day care provider, make sure he/she knows where to pick up your family members in case your plan must be implemented in your absence. Also, let your day care provider know who your designee is and under what circumstances they're authorized to pick-up your family members.

.......(4) As the key player in your family care plan, the short-term designee needs to know the name, address, and phone number of any other designees, as well as a way to positively identify them. In fact, it is a good idea to introduce your designees to each other, even if only by phone. You may even want to include photographs in your plan. Familiarity will relieve some of the stress involved in carrying out your plan and should make things go more smoothly.

....b. Long-Term Designee: This person accepts custody of your family members if you're assigned to an unaccompanied status or deployed TDY for a duration to exceed the responsibilities of the short-term designee. There's no requirement that this person reside in the local area. If this person does live in the local area and is willing to assume both long and short-term responsibilities, you don't need any other designee. Here are some key points to remember about your long-term designee:

.......(1) You need to make sure that this person has access to the religious, educational, and medical facilities required to support the needs of your family members. This is a very Important consideration if you have a physically or emotionally handicapped family member.

........(2) If you have school age children, your designee needs to know the school's name and address, and what documents are needed to acquire transcripts.

....c. Alternate Designee: Appointment of an alternate designee is optional or as directed by the commander when there is question as to the primary designee�s continued availability. You may appoint either an alternate short or long-term designee, but not both. Generally speaking, an alternate short-term designee is recommended since the success of your plan normally hinges on the availability of your local designee. When appointing an alternate designee, remember that the person accepts family care responsibilities for the same period as the person they're appointed to replace.

2-4. Powers of Attorney. You MUST execute a power of attorney (or other sufficient document) for any designee to authorize medical care for family members covered by your plan. Authorization to enroll your family members in school MUST be included if you have school age children. A power of attorney to act "in loco parentis" is encouraged, and may be required in some states, for the long-term designee to exercise the desired degree of parental care and control, contact the Base Legal Office for more information on powers of attorney. Note: "Loco Parentis" means to perform any and all parental acts, as fully as you might or could if personally present, to include, but not limited to, the discipline, maintenance, supervision, arbitration of disputes, enrollment in school and sports and other activities, and authorization and consent to any and all medical treatment necessary and appropriate for the general health and welfare of your family members.

2-5. Transportation Arrangements. You MUST make arrangements for your family members to be transported to your short and long-term designees. Each designee needs to know whether your family member(s) will be sent to them or if they'll be expected to pick them up. To avoid confusion later, let each designee know who is responsible for making final transportation arrangements when family care responsibilities are to be transferred from the short-term to the long-term designee.

2-6. Financial Arrangements. You MUST make arrangements for each designee to have access to adequate funds for support of your family members during your absence. That is, enough money for food, clothing, lodging, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. The amount of money you make available to each designee depends on the number of family members, their needs, and the period of time the designee will have custody. Examples of disbursement plans include: a joint bank account including your designee, or a Class X allotment to be paid to your designee upon your departure (this is the easiest method and is generally the most preferred). When selecting a disbursement plan, consider how quickly the money must be made available to the designee to meet your support obligations. For example, a payroll allotment may work fine for your long-term designee, but may be impractical for your short-term designee simply because it takes 30 days for the first allotment check to be issued.

2-7. Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). You MUST enroll your family members in DEERS to prove their eligibility for medical and dental care (The military sponsor is the only person who can enroll a family member in DEERS). DEERS is a computer-based enrollment system that allows military medical facilities, Tri-Care and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), and other service connected agencies to verify an individual�s entitlement to health care. Routine (not emergency) medical care will be denied by medical facilities if the family member is not enrolled in DEERS. Also, TRI-Care/CHAMPUS and dental claims will be denied. You can verify DEERS enrollment by contacting Outpatient Records Section at the hospital or Personal Affairs Section at the MPF. If it happens that your family members are not currently enrolled in DEERS, you can enroll them at the Customer Service Section at the MPF. The following documents will be required:

....a. Spouse - marriage certificate.

....b. Natural child - birth certificate.

....c. Adopted child - birth certificate and adoption decree.

....d. Stepchild - birth certificate and marriage-certificate.

....e. Parent - dependency determination letter from the accounting and finance office.

2-8. Tri-care/Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). You need to familiarize each designee with Tri-care/CHAMPUS. Tri-care/CHAMPUS are the health care plans that shares most of the costs of care from civilian hospitals and doctors when military family members can't get care through a military hospital or clinic. Your designee(s) needs to know who�s covered, what's covered, what's not covered, where to get care, how much it will cost, how to file a claim, and how to appeal an adverse CHAMPUS decision. This information and more is contained in the "CHAMPUS Handbook".

2-9. Active Duty Family Dental Plan. You need to familiarize each designee with the military family member dental plan if your family member(s) are currently enrolled. This plan covers certain basic dental care for family members. Contact the Customer Service Section at the MPF to enroll your dependent(s).

2-10. Identification Cards. You MUST obtain Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege (SIP) cards for all eligible family members. Commonly called dependent IDs, these cards are issued to those individuals entitled to specific military benefits and privileges. Family members 10 years of age and older MUST have ID cards. Children under age 10 of single parents and military couples may be issued ID cards when there is a genuine need (ID cards are not issued solely to support the requirements of AFI 36-3001). Cards may be issued to these children if the temporary guardian (long-term designee) resides far enough from the base that the child would have to be treated at a medical facility other than the one keeping the child's medical records, when the military sponsor(s) are serving an unaccompanied overseas tour, or are assigned to duties or locations where children could not reasonably be expected to accompany the parent(s). Your designee(s) should insure that all eligible family members have ID cards before leaving the local area. ID cards are issued at the Customer Service Section at the MPF. In case of short or no-notice deployment, the unit commander or first sergeant can help the designee obtain ID cards for all eligible family members under 10 years of age.

2-11. Base Exchange and Commissary Privileges. Although not mandatory, you may request authorization for your designee(s) to use the BX and commissary in support of your family members. Installation commanders establish local procedures on how designees gain access to the base to use these facilities, if authorized. Requests can be submitted using the formats shown in Chapter 3.

2-12. DD Form 93, Emergency Data Card. It is vital that your DD Form 93 be up-to-date. This form not only tells the Air Force who to notify in case of an emergency involving you, it designates the beneficiaries of all unpaid pay and allowances in the event of your death. Your card is filed in your Personnel Records. You can verify its accuracy at the Customer Service Section of the MPF. Unit orderly rooms can accomplish this form.

2-13. Wills. Many people believe they don't need a Will because they have few assets of any value. Others believe that even without a Will their property will pass to their spouses. The truth is that most, if not all, states have enacted statutes which control the distribution of the property for the residents who die without a valid Will. If you die without a valid Will, the court of your state will name an individual to distribute your property, pay your debts and taxes, and collect property owned by you. If you make a Will, you can appoint a person of your choice to take care of these matters. Also, its important that your Will have a guardianship provision because it allows you to nominate a person to raise your children in the event of the death of you and your spouse. The person, or married couple, you select will stand in your place as parent, legally responsible for the welfare of your child. More information on Wills is contained in Chapter 3.

2-14. Important Documents to Have On Hand. Due to the highly personal and sensitive nature of the documents required to support your Family Care Plan (powers of attorney, Wills, financial papers, and so forth), copies of these documents are not kept with the AF Form 357 in your unit. However, these documents MUST be readily available for your First Sergeant or Commander to review in determining the adequacy of your Family Care Plan.

This chapter is designed to be of reference value for you in developing your Family Care Plan. As much information as possible is included, however, if while preparing your own plan, you discover additional information that would prove useful to others, please inform your First Sergeant so the new information can be included.

Attachment 1 - Developing Your Family Care Plan (RECAP): This is a quick overview of previously discussed information with suggestions included for making your plan easier and more workable.

Attachment 2 - Instructions for Completing AF Form 357.

Attachment 3 - Listing of Support Agencies: You may want to give your designee(s) a copy of this listing.

Attachment 4 - Family Care Planning Checklist.

Attachment 5 - Sample letter requesting designee authorization to use the BX and Commissary facilities.

Attachment 6 - Sample letter requesting designee to be issued a temporary base identification and pass

Attachment 7 - Making A Will Fact Sheet from the Legal Office.

Attachment 8 - Will Questionnaire

Attachment 9 - Power of Attorney Fact Sheet from the Legal Office.

1. Goal. Develop a plan that covers all reasonably practical short and long-term situations. Make sure it is sufficiently detailed to provide for a smooth, rapid transfer of family care responsibilities to another non-military person.

2. Selecting Your Family Care Designee(s).

....a. Look for a responsible, mature, emotionally stable, and mobile NON-MILITARY person.

....b. Make sure the person is an adult. Look for someone who shares your values and who you can rely on to make important decisions in your absence.

....c. Make sure that your short-term designee resides in the local area. The non-military spouse of a co-worker or friend is often a good choice for your short-term designee. Consider your short- term designee for absences of 90 days and less.

....d . Make sure your long-term designee has access to the religious, educational, and medical facilities required to support the needs of your family members. A relative is often the best choice as a long-term designee. You may want to have your long-term designee care for your family members in your residence rather than transporting them to another location.

3. Powers of Attorney. Execute a power of attorney (or other sufficient documents) for each designee to authorize medical care for your family members. Include authorization to enroll your family members in school if you have any school age children. The Legal Office will assist you in preparing powers of attorney (attachment 9).

4. Transportation Arrangements. Make arrangements for your family members to be transported to your short and long-term designees. Make sure that each of your designees knows exactly how this part of the plan works.

5. Financial Arrangements. Make arrangements for each designee to have access to enough money for family member . Choose a disbursement plan (allotment, joint bank account, etc.) based on the needs of your family members, the need for timely support payments, and the period of time your designee will have custody. The Accounting & Finance Office, Military Pay Section, processes authorizations to start, stop, and change allotments. Consider having a set amount of cash set aside to cover short-term/immediate contingencies.

6. DEERS. Make sure each family member is enrolled in DEERS. Verify enrollment at the Outpatient Records Section of the hospital. If your family members are not enrolled in DEERS you can get them enrolled at the Customer Service Section at the MPF.

7. TRI-CARE/CHAMPUS. Familiarize each designee with TRI-CARE/CHAMPUS by referring them to the Managed Care Advisor at the hospital.

8. Family Member Dental Plan. If your family members are enrolled in this plan, familiarize each designee by having them contact the Managed Care section at the nearest military hospital. Consider providing the name and address of your dentist to your designees.

9. ID Cards. Make sure all eligible family members have ID cards. Get an ID card application at the Customer Service Section at the MPF. ID cards are issued at the Customer Service Section at the MPF. You may want to consider getting and ID or pass for your designees if they will be providing child care in your residence (attachment 6).

10. Base Exchange and Commissary Privileges. You can ask that your designee(s) have access to the BX and commissary in support of your Family Care Plan. Apply for these privileges and access to the base using the sample format in attachment 5.

11. DD Form 93, Emergency Data Card. Make sure your Emergency Data Card is up-to-date. Check it�s accuracy at the Customer Service Section at the MPF. You can also update your DD Form 93 at your commander support staff office. Make sure your beneficiary knows who will have custody of your children during your absence.

12. Wills. You're encouraged to have a Will. You can have a Will drawn up at the base legal office. (Attachment 7 and 8 provides additional information and guidance concerning Wills.)

13. Important Documents to Have On Hand. The unit is not authorized to keep copies of all documents required to support your Family Care Plan. You should keep file copies of these documents with your plan and make sure they're available for review by your commander or first sergeant upon request.

SECTION 1. MEMBER'S CERTIFICATION

Items I - 4: If item 3 applies, complete only sections 4B.

Item 4B: Military Spouse Certification. Complete only when a military couple with family members share joint domicile and have same Family Care Plan.

SECTION II. CAREGIVER CERTIFICATION (Statements on this section may be completed by as many as three different people or as few as one) (See notes 1 and 4)

Item 5: Primary short-term designee completes items 5. Designee must be in the local area. Concurrent designation of two primary short-term designees is not authorized.

Item 6: Completed by primary long-term designee. If designee changes, a new AF Form 357 must be completed. (See note 2)

Item 7: Appointment of an alternate designee is optional or as directed by the commander when there is a question as to the primary designee's continued availability.

SECTION III. TEMPORARY CUSTODY DESIGNATION

Item 8: Must be completed if you are a dual military couple or single parent.

SECTION IV. DESIGNEE CERTIFICATION FOR NONCOMBATANT EVACUATION OPERATION

(applies to personnel with dependent(s) in overseas areas) (See notes 1 and 4)

Items 9: Completed by individual responsible for accompanying dependent(s) as an escort, if evacuation from an overseas area is necessary. Primary designee completes item 9. Concurrent designations of two primary designees is not authorized. (See note 1)

Item 10: Completed by individual responsible for family members after they have arrived at the CONUS destination if evacuation from an overseas area becomes necessary. If designee changes, a new AF Form 357 is required. - Page 13 -

Item 11: Completed by natural or adoptive parent.

Item 11: Completed by step parent.

SECTION V. COMMANDER CERTIFICATION

Item 12: Commander or first sergeants signature is required in item 12 after Family Care Plan has been reviewed and found to meet requirements of paragraph 9.

Item 12B, C, or D is completed by gaining commander or first sergeant when a member is reassigned (Member will hand-carry the AF Form 357 to gaining commander or first sergeant) when it�s:

(1) To an overseas tour and member has implemented Family Care Plan.

(2) PCA at same location and Family Care Plan has not changed.

SECTION VII. RECERTIFICATION

Item 21: This section is completed during the annual audit or as specified in AFI 36-2908. Member certifies that family care arrangements are current and identifies the reason for which the recertification is being accomplished.

NOTE 1: Designee or designees in section II may be the same as designee or designees in items 15 and 16 of section III. If designee or designees are different and the need for an NEO evacuation occurs, it may become necessary for designee or designees in section 11 to assume temporary responsibility for dependent(s) until evacuation actually occurs.

NOTE 2: When it is necessary to complete a new AF Form 357, the member will complete all applicable portions requiring local certification. These changes will be annotated on the existing AF Form 357 or a copy of the new AF Form 357 may be provided to the unit to file with the old AF Form 357. The new AF Form 357 is then mailed or hand-carried to the designee outside the local area for completion of the applicable sections. These procedures are established so accurate information can be maintained during the period the AF Form 357 is being reaccomplished.

NOTE 3: The commander or first sergeant may extend the suspense for completing the AF Form 357 on a case-by-case basis. The total period of extension will not exceed 30 days. This provision allows every opportunity for members to establish a workable Family Care Plan.

NOTE 4: Designee�s address must be an actual residence address; do not use P.O. Box numbers. However, a rural route address which depicts a physical residence may be used.

1. Accounting and Finance Office. Primarily responsible for all pay matters, including dependent support allotments. Bldg XXXX, Phone XXX-XXXX.

2. American Red Cross. Provides service to active duty and retired personnel and their dependents, also civilian family members of service personnel and spouses. Refers individuals to appropriate Red Cross programs and other agencies. Bldg XXXX, Phone XXXX, Emergency Phone XXXX ask for Red Cross.

3, Chaplain. Aside from religious and community programs, the chaplains provide counseling services for all military and dependent personnel. Areas of assistance include; religious, marital, academic, and personal. A duty Chaplain is available 24 hrs a day through the Command Post at XXX-XXXX.

4. Child Development Center. Provides day care for eligible family members. Maintains a listing of approved home day care providers. The Child Care Center WILL NOT be used in planning family care arrangements that must be certified in Section II of AF Form 357.

5. Military Personnel Flight (MPF). The MPF offers many services to military members and their families. Customer Service/Personnel Records Section provides assistance concerning DD Form 93 information and Serviceman's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) forms. Prepares ID card applications and conducts DEERS and family member dental enrollments. Maintains your Personnel Records which contain the DD Form 93, Emergency Data Card and SGLI policy. Located in Bldg XXXX, at XXX-XXXX.

6. Family Support Center (FSC). The FSC is a modern facility, providing assistance to active duty members, their families, and other eligible users. The FSC serves as the focal point for family matters on (BASE). It acts as a link between families and support agencies and serves as an advocate for family needs and concerns. Air Force Aid Society. Provides low interest loans and grants to meet unexpected temporary personal emergencies. Located at Bldg XXXX, at XXX-XXXX.

7 . Legal Office. Provides legal advice to all commanders, staff agencies, active duty members, and their family members. Assists in the preparation of legal documents required for Family Care Plans such as Wills and powers of attorney. Located at Bldg XXXX, at XXX-XXXX.

8. SATO Travel. Full-service travel company available to everyone. Will obtain the most cost-effective travel arrangements. Located at Bldg XXXX, at XXX-XXXX.

9. Military Police. Responsible for maintenance of law and order and for access control to (BASE) and controlled areas within base perimeter. Located at Bldg XXXX, (militry police desk), at XXX-XXXX.

10. Hospital. Provides preventive and acute health care. Located at Bldg XXXX (Information Office), at XXX-XXXX.

....a. CHAMPUS Advisor. Located at Bldg XXXX, at XXX-XXXX.

....b. Family Advocacy Office/Mental Health. Located at Bldg XXXX, at XXX-XXXX.

....c. Dental Clinic. Located at Bldg XXXX, at XXX-XXXX.

1. Have you selected and contacted your designee(s)?

2. Has your designees completed the applicable blocks on AF Form 357?

3. Have you completed powers of attorney for your designees to:

....a. Authorize medical care for your family members?

....b. Transfer your family members to another party?

....c. To enroll your family members in school?

....d. To authorized "Loco Parentis"?

4. Have you completed a Will with a guardianship provision?

5. Have you made proper financial arrangements for your family members?

6. Is a copy of your family members shot records available?

7. Is a copy of your family members birth certificate available?

8. Have you made proper transportation arrangements for your family members?

9. Do your designees understand their role in your plan?

10. Do your designees understand TRI-CARE/CHAMPUS, family member dental plan, etc.?

NOTE: Medical, school, and financial arrangements are mandatory.

Prior to approval of your plan, the commander or first sergeant will conduct a review with you. Be prepared to answer specific questions concerning how your plan will work. Also be prepared to provide documentation required by AFI 36-2908 concerning your plan.

MEMORANDUM FOR Unit/Office Symbol (Rank, Name, Duty Phone)

FROM: You rank, name and unit

SUBJECT: Authorization to Use BX and Commissary Facilities TO: 37 SPS/CC 37 SVS/CC 37 SG/CC

Request (Full Name From Section II of AF Form 357) be authorized use of the base exchange and commissary facilities at (BASE) in support of my Family Care Plan.

...............................................................................(SIGNATURE BLOCK)

MEMORANDUM FOR Unit/Office Symbol (Rank, Name, Duty Phone)

FROM: Your rank, name and unit

SUBJECT: Temporary Base Identification and Pass

Request (Full Name From Section II of AF Form 357) be issued a temporary base identification and pass. Access to the base is needed to use base facilities in support of my Family Care Plan.

..............................................................................(SIGNATURE BLOCK)

1. Q. WHAT IS A LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT?

A. A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that controls the disposition of your property at death and may provide for guardianship for your children after your death. (A Will is not effective until death). As long as you are living, your Will has no effect and no property or rights to property are transferred by it.

2. Q. CAN MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT BE CHANGED?

A. Yes. Changes to a Will are made by drafting a new Will and destroying the old one, or by adding a *Codicil*. A Codicil is a legal document which must be signed and executed in the same manner as your Will. NEVER MAKE ANY CHANGES TO YOUR WILL without consulting an attorney. Changes on the face of your original Will may make it invalid.

3. Q. WHAT IS MY LEGAL RESIDENCE?

A. Your legal residence is the state in which you have your true, fixed, and permanent home and to which, if you are temporarily absent, you intend to return, voting, paying taxes, owning property, motor vehicle registration, and so on, are some indicators of one's legal residence. If you are a citizen of the United States, you must be a legal resident of some state. You cannot be a citizen at large. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen, you are considered to be a resident of the state in which you were naturalized.

4. Q. IS MY LEGAL RESIDENCE IMPORTANT WITH REGARD TO MY WILL?

A. Yes. Your legal residence may affect where your Will is probated and the amount of state inheritance or estate tax that may be paid at death.

5. Q. WHAT IS MY ESTATE?

A. Your estate consists of all of your property and personal belongings which you own or are entitled to possess at the time of your death. This includes real and personal property, cash, savings and checking accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate, automobiles, etc. Although the proceeds of insurance policies may be considered part of your estate, a Will does not change the designated beneficiaries of insurance policy, although part of your estate is for federal tax purposes, the will normally pass it to the primary or secondary beneficiary designated on the fact of the respective policy.

6. Q. TO WHOM SHOULD I LEAVE MY ESTATE?

A. A person who receives property through a Will is known as a "Beneficiary" You may leave all of your property to one beneficiary, or you may wish to divide your estate among several persons. You may designate in your Will that several different items of property or sums of money shall go to different persons. In any event, you should decide on at least two levels of beneficiaries: "Primary beneficiaries" and "Secondary beneficiaries" those who will inherit your property in the event the "Primary beneficiaries" die before you do. You may want to also select a third level beneficiary in the event that both the primary and secondary beneficiaries die before you.

7. Q. MAY A PERSON DISPOSE OF HIS PROPERTY IN ANY WAY?

A. Almost, but not quite. For example, in most states, a married person cannot completely exclude a spouse. Generally, you are free to give your property to whomever you desire. However, most states have laws which entitle spouses to at least part of the other spouse�s estate. This "statutory share" ranges generally from 1/3 to 1/2 of the other spouse�s estate. Some states, such as Louisiana, also provides shares of the estate to the children of the descendent. Insurance proceeds and jointly owned property may be controlled by other provisions of the law. If you have questions concerning the statutory share law in your home state, you should ask a legal assistance attorney.

8. Q. SHOULD I NAME A GUARDIAN FOR MY CHILDREN IN MY WILL?

A. Yes. A guardian should be named in a Will to ensure that the children and their estate are cared for in the event that both parents should die. Your guardian should be chosen with extreme care as this person will be charged with the duty of raising your children and managing their legal affairs. Do not automatically assume that your parents or any other relative will be suitable guardians. Such factors as the age of the guardian, age of the children, religion, social status, economics and the relation of the proposed guardian to the children, if any, should be considered in making your decision. Additionally, an alternate guardian should be chosen with the same care as the secondary guardian just in case the primary guardian is unable or unwilling to serve as guardians.

9. Q. I WANT MY PARENTS TO BE THE GUARDIANS OF OUR CHILDREN AND MY SPOUSE DISAGREES. DO WE HAVE TO AGREE ON THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AND ALTERNATE GUARDIAN?

A. In most cases, yes. The guardianship provision is normally effective when both parents die at the same time. As an example, if the husband's Will nominates his parents and the wife's Will nominates her parents and both husband and wife die at or about the same time, then the court will have to decide who is the proper party to be the children's guardian. That will cause undo hardship on all parties concerned as well as considerable unnecessary expense, a large part of which your estate will have to pay.

10. Q. WHAT IS AN EXECUTOR?

A. An executor (executrix, if female) is the person who will manage and settle your estate according to the Will. You should also consider naming and alternate executor in the event that the primary executor is unable or unwilling to act as the executor of your estate. By the wording of your Will, you can require that your executor or alternate executor be required to post bond or other security, or you can waive this requirement, thereby saving expense to your estate. The choice is yours.

11. Q. SHOULD I SET UP A TRUST IN MY WILL?

A. If you have at least one minor child, you should consider setting up a trust in your Will called a testamentary trust; this devise will insure that certain circumstances, such as death of you and your spouse, any surviving minor children will be provided for by the assets in that trust. Ultimately, through the proper selection of a person to manage the trust (trustee), your children will be provided for in the same manner that you have dictated in your Will.

12. Q. WHAT IF I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING MY WILL?

A. Ask them while your legal assistance attorney is preparing your Will. Be sure that you convey accurately your wishes for the distribution of your property to your attorney.

13. Q. HOW LONG IS A WILL GOOD?

A. A properly drawn and executed Will remains valid until it is changed or revoked. However, changes in circumstance after a Will has been made, such as tax law, marriage, birth of a children, or even a substantial change in the nature or amount of a person's estate, can affect whether your Will is still adequate or whether your property will still pass in the manner you chose. All changes in circumstances require a careful analysis and reconsideration of the provisions of a Will and may make it wise to change the Will with the help of an attorney.

14. Q. DOES A WILL INCREASE PROBATE EXPENSE?

A. No. It usually costs less to administer an estate when a person leaves a Will than when there is no Will. A properly drafted Will may reduce the expense of administration in a number of ways. Provisions can be placed in a Will which take full advantage of the Federal and state tax laws. Drawing a Will can avoid the expense of posting bond or appointing a guardian for your children. A Will can save money for you and your family if it is properly drafted.

15. Q. HOW LARGE AN ESTATE IS NECESSARY TO JUSTIFY A WILL?

A. Everyone who owns any real or personal property should have a Will regardless of the present amount of his or her estate. Your estate grows daily in value through the repayment of mortgages, appreciation of real estate, stocks and other securities, inheritance from relatives, and other factors.

16. Q. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON�T MAKE A WILL?

A. When a person dies without a Will (or dies 'Inestate', as the law calls it), the property of the deceased is distributed according to a formula fixed by law. In other words, if you don't make a Will, you don't have any say as to how your property will be divided.

17. Q. WHAT HAPPENS TO PROPERTY HELD IN THE NAMES OF BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE?

A. Joint bank accounts and real property held in the names of both husband and wife if held with a right of survivor by law and not by the terms of the deceased's Will. There are cases, however, in which it is not to your advantage to hold property in this manner.

18. Q. IS A LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM A SUBSTITUTE FOR A WILL?

A. No. Life insurance is only one kind of property which a person may own. If a life insurance is payable to an individual, the Will of the insured has no effect on the proceeds. If the policy is payable to the estate of the insured, the payment of the proceeds may be directed by a Will. The careful person will have a lawyer and a life insurance counselor work together on a life insurance program, as one important aspect of estate planning.

PRIVILEGED INFORMATION: Information placed on this form is for the sole purpose of preparing your will and disclosure is voluntary; however, your failure to provide information may result in improper preparation of your will. Once your will is executed, this document will be destroyed.

1. YOUR FULL NAME

2. STATE AND COUNTY/PARISH OF RESIDENCE

3. FULL NAME OF SPOUSE

4. NAMES OF LIVING CHILDREN AND THEIR AGES

5. NAMES OF GUARDIANS FOR MINOR CHILDREN

Primary

Alternate

6. WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE IN CHARGE OF SETTLING YOUR ESTATE (CAN BE SPOUSE)?

Primary

Alternate

7. DO YOU OWN ANY LAND IN THE STATE YOU LIVE IN?

8. WHO DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE YOUR PROPERTY?

Primary

Alternate

To obtain a will from the legal office, you must personally discuss your wishes with an attorney. After your meeting with the attorney, you will be scheduled an appointment for the signing of your will.

1. Q. WHAT IS A POWER OF ATTORNEY?

A. A power of attorney is a document that allows someone else to act as your legal agents. Thus, a power of attorney can be used to allow a friend to sell your car, to let your spouse ship your household goods or to authorize a relative to take your child to the hospital. It can also be used to sell or buy property. It can create valid and legal debts in your name or it can authorize a person to pay off your debts.

2. Q. ARE THERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF POWERS OF ATTORNEY?

A. Yes, the two types are general and special powers of attorney. A general power of attorney allows the person you name (or your agent) to do many of the things that you could legally do. A special (or limited) power of attorney lists a particular act that the agent is authorized to do and limits the agent to that act. The agent can, of course, be authorized to do more than one legal act in a single special power of attorney. In some states a special power of attorney is required for the purchase or sale of a house or other real estate.

3. Q. WHEN DOES A POWER OF ATTORNEY EXPIRE?

A. A power of attorney should never be made indefinite or permanent. The best course is to set a date for the power of attorney to expire (this can be written into the power of attorney). That way, the power of attorney will be no good after the expiration date that you set unless, of course, you renew it by preparing a new power of attorney.

4. Q. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS A SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY CAN DO?

A. You can use a special power of attorney to allow someone to do almost all legal actions that you can do yourself. Thus, for example, you could prepare a special power of attorney that lets your designated agent:

a. Buy or sell real estate; as noted above, in some states, it will take a special power of attorney to buy or sell real estate;

b. Purchase a car or sell your furniture;

c. Sign your paycheck or withdraw money from your bank account;

d. Admit your child to the hospital for necessary medical care;

e. Ship or store your luggage and household goods;

*. Note: Never use a general power of attorney when a special one will do.

f. If you want to cancel or terminate a power of attorney before it expires, you can prepare and execute a Revocation of Power of Attorney. Give a copy of the revocation to any person that might deal with the person to whom you gave your power of attorney. In some states, you may also record the revocation in the office where the original power of attorney was recorded or was to be used. Just remember that it is usually impossible to cancel effectively a power of attorney, since the safest way to do this is to get back all the copies and originals you have given to your agent, as well as all the photocopies that may have been made by banks, Realtors, merchants, landlords and other people who are relying on the power of attorney you have signed.

5. Q. ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR POWERS OF ATTORNEY?

A. A power of attorney must always be signed in front of a notary public.

6. Q. DOES EVERY BUSINESS OR BANK HAVE TO ACCEPT MY POWER OF ATTORNEY?

A. No. Every business or bank is free to accept or not to accept a power of attorney. Some businesses or banks require that the power of attorney be recorded while others do not. Some banks will accept only a special power of attorney. The bottom line is, you should check with the business or bank before obtaining or using a power of attorney to be sure that it will be accepted.

7. Q. DOES A POWER OF ATTORNEY EXPIRE UPON MY DEATH?

A. A power of attorney expires on the death of the grantor (the person signing it) or of the agent named in it.

8. Q. WHAT IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS OR SPECIFIC PROBLEMS I WANT HELP IN SOLVING

A. See a legal assistance officer or a private attorney as soon as possible. Seeing a lawyer early may not only solve a problem you have; it may also resolve or avoid a problem in the future, on this or other unrelated subjects. Seeing your lawyer early is practicing "Preventive Law."