Complete Your Legal and Financial Prep 30 Days Before Deployment

Deployment prep has gotten complicated with all the checklist items and legal requirements flying around. As someone who’s helped service members prepare for deployments, I learned everything there is to know about the legal and financial steps you can’t afford to skip. Today, I will share it all with you.

The 30 days before deployment determine whether your family handles the absence smoothly or struggles with preventable problems. Legal and financial preparation isn’t optional.

Power of Attorney

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Your spouse or family member needs legal authority to handle financial matters, vehicle titles, housing issues, and medical decisions while you’re gone. A general power of attorney covers most situations. Get one through legal assistance on base – it’s free and they know exactly what deploying service members need. That’s what makes this step so critical – without it, your family can’t manage basic affairs in your absence.

Financial Arrangements

Set up allotments to ensure bills get paid automatically. Add your spouse to bank accounts if they aren’t already. Review beneficiaries on SGLI, TSP, and any other accounts. Create a budget that accounts for changes in pay and expenses during deployment. Leave access information for all accounts in a secure location your family can reach.

Essential Documents

Your will should be current – legal assistance can update it quickly. Organize copies of important documents: birth certificates, marriage certificate, car titles, mortgage papers, insurance policies. Your family may need these while you’re unreachable. A family care plan must be in place if you’re a single parent or dual-military couple.

Pre-deployment legal and financial preparation takes a few hours but prevents months of complications. Handle it early rather than scrambling in the final days.