Law protects service people from hardship

Several laws in the United States are designed to protect service people who are called to active duty, and their families. The Internal Revenue Service and the State of Illinois also have made allowances in various rules and laws to ease immediate responsibilities for service personnel.

Under the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act, service people and their families are eligible for relief from eviction or foreclosure, and relief from some debt obligations. The goal of these provisions is to prevent financial hardship that might result from active duty in the U.S. military, either abroad or at home. Under an amendment to a federal act passed in 2002, even guardsmen who are called by a state governor to carry out homeland security activities are covered.

These protections are not automatic. They must be "triggered" by letting people and institutions know that the service member has been placed on active duty. It should be noted that documents and loans signed after mobilization orders are received are not covered.

The act's major provisions cover the following areas:

  • Loan rate reduction
  • Ending a lease
  • Eviction
  • Mortgage foreclosure prevention
  • Installment credit
  • Contract fines and penalties
  • Property taxes
  • Life insurance

Provisions in the law provide for a certain period of time after leaving military service - in some instances up to six months - before the returning service person must once again begin meeting his or her financial obligations.

Any area military base can provide assistance to service personnel and their families through the Legal Assistance Office. Further information is also available in a free brochure from the Illinois State Bar Association entitled "Called To Duty."

 

Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations.

© Illinois State Bar Association

If you have questions about the application of the law in a particular case, consult your lawyer. The law is constantly changing. Information on this site or any site to which we link does not constitute legal advice.