Power Of Attorney for a Military Wife?

Question

My husband is stationed in Fort Riley and he is now in Iraq. Before he left we where informed to get a Power of Attorney! So we got a General Power of Attorney because that was what they told him I would need. Now that he is gone no one will talk to me about him because I don't have a Full Power of Attorney!
Q. Why is this only happening in KS.
Q. What can I do!
Q. Who can I complain to about this problem?
I was told by Finance plenty of time that they could not talk to me but I could look at his LES! What the ****! I asked for them to help explain it to me and they said they could not! I called his Rear Detach and they couldn't do much either but e-mail my husband and hope that he gets the time to sign a stupid piece of paper. I also can't go to school because I can't fill out his info on a FAFSA Form because these idiots won't help me find the info I need. Why can I pay all his bills and look at his LES and My Pay I can but they can't talk to me? and the Army is about the Family

GAI This is what I am saying! My Gen. POA States that I can do his taxes, buy a car, handle his money, etc... I am on his Bank Account and I own both of the cars. I run all the bills and everything. I could take all his sh** w/ mypay and his LES so why should a good wife who loves her man be punished because people out there marry to get more pay from the military?

FYI My husband is mad because that is what they told him I needed to take care of everything! The rule was made after he left to go to Iraq! and by they I mean JAG! Go Government!!

Answer 1

It doesn't happen only at Fort Riley. It happens everywhere.

When my husband's unit deployed, I told my FRG to get a special power of attorney for absolutely ANYTHING they think will come up in the next year... i.e., registering a vehicle in his name, selling a car, changing allotments, etc.

The army IS about the family. They do quite a lot to help families, actually. These problems exist because in the past soldiers gave POA to people they thought they could trust, but who ended up screwing them. Because of dishonest people, most businesses, gov't agencies, etc. will not accept a general power of attorney. Even though it's a pain, it protects soldiers while they're deployed.

Your husband can still have special POAs done down range. Next time you talk to him, tell him you need it done. Depending on his job, it may take him a little while, but it can be done and faxed to the JAG office at Fort Riley for you.

Answer 2

Ok, I didn't read all the answers, but here is the info that I know and have been told. (I am former Navy and my hubby is still active duty)

A general POA is good for most general thing. However, to do anything w/ his LES and the such you need a SPECIFIC. I know, I know I never heard of that in the 8 1/2 yrs that I was in, but I learned the hard way. Most credit card companies will talk to you w/ a General, except Discover (this is just an example for you) Anyway, Discover wants a SPECIFIC POA and until they have one they will not discuss ANYTHING with you. It is the same with all the other stuff that you need to do. I know that he's in Iraq and is quite busy, but he needs to have the JAG officer (or whomever gives out POA's) to draw up a SPECIFIC POA for you so that you can go to school, have his pay discussed w/ you, etc.

I really hope that this helps and I hope that you can get it all worked out. It's not any particular service and most JAG officers are not aware that certain companies (the military pay offices as well) need to have the specific instead of the general. They always tell the sailors that you will be covered w/ a general, but my hubby (for his upcoming deployment) will have both....just in case.

Good luck and I will pray for the safe return of your hubby!!

Answer 3

I'm in the Air Force, but I don't see how things would be that different between the branches. When I went to the desert, I gave my wife a full power of attorney. She actually put our house on the market and signed a new mortgage while I was gone. My troops teased me that I was homeless because I didn't know my new address. (Luckily my wife picked me up at the airport when I got home). The general POA doesn't cover as much, but you should be able to handle your husband's affairs. It is total BS that you can't get any help from his unit! Spouse support is a huge part of maintaining morale and is a very big deal. I would recommend elevating the issue up the chain of command. His unit's Sergeant Major would be a good place to go. Personnel issues is their specialty. He/She should get some fires lit under some butts for you.

Answer 4

They probably gave you the right power of attorney based on the information you and or your husband gave them. Not all spouses want their spouse left behind to have full access to their entire life when they are away. I have seen dozens and dozens of military people get completely screwed over by their spouse that gets left at home. I have seen spouses that have purchased super espensive cars in the military members name only and then the spouse at home takes off and leaves the military member with the bill. Your husband may have been warned, aka educated on what the full pictures of power of attorneys was before he left. If so you would be honest with your feelins, but don't be so quick to blame the admin and finance people that are following the rules that govern their jobs as far as power of attorneys go. If these people just gave in to you and gave you full access and power to everything and your husband really didn't want that, there are a bunch of people that could lose their jobs. There may be other things going on that you didn't know about in this situation. Have an honest talk with your husband and see if he got you the exact power of attorney he wanted you to have, the one that only allows you to pay the bills. You may be surprises and if you are, you may want to rethink your attitutde towards the people that are doing their job the right way. Sorry things aren't the way you want, but get all the answers before you jump to much further. AND this situations does not only happen where you are.

Answer 5

I understand how frustrating this is but the rule is in place only to protect him. There have been cases of wives causing havoc when they were allowed to talk to Finance offices. They ruined it for the rest of us. I don't know why they told you that you only need a general POA. You've needed a specific POA for that for years, at least in the Navy. And they remind us of that at nearly every pre-deployment meeting we have.

If all you need is help understanding the format for the LES maybe your Ombudsman or a wife from your FRG could help with that.

Answer 6

I have never had a problem when I had a Gen. POA, even getting a new ID when he was gone. You should call your FRO (Family Readiness Officer) (not sure if that is what it is called in the Army) it is usually the Chaplin and ask what is the problem and why no one will help you that is the FRO's job. None of our wives have had problems either, most have always gotten a gen. If you need help understanding his LES email me and I can help with that.

Answer 7

If you are having that much of a problem with a power of attorney and the Rear Detachment is not helping you.

Then I suggest you call the Post Sergeant Major or Commander.

I am pretty sure that they will help you.

The issues you are talking about are simple and should be addressed by the Rear Detachment, but you have to remember that sometimes not the smartest people are left in charge of Rear Detachments.

Answer 8

A general power of attorney is good for most things, but not all. To talk to finance, you need a DFAS power of attorney. To update any of his dependants' DEERS info or get yourself a new ID card, you need a DEERS power of attorney.

Unfortunately, they're probably not going to be able to help you unless he gets you a DFAS POA. He can do it in Iraq, but it's a pain. It may be faster for him to go to finance there and try to get the information you need, if it's not on myPay.

Good luck, I know it can be a huge pain in the a**.

Answer 9

Fort Riley Jag Office

Answer 10

I'm sorry, I don't know how to help you. I can't believe what I just read. Are these people for real? How could they do this to you and to your husband. Isn't it enough to be separated for the one you love. You have to deal with keeping life together and than this ****. I hope everything works out and you kick their @#*! in the process.