SCRA Foundation

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Foundation

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      • Matthew R. Cooper, J.D.
      • Frank B. Melchiore, J.D.
      • Lisa A Hudson, B.S.
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The SCRA Foundation Purpose


 

No less an authority than Gen. George Washington once observed that “when we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.” Nearly a century and a half later, President Calvin Coolidge reflected similar sentiments and concern for our soldiers and sailors, remarking that “the nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.” In furtherance of such ideals, and with great respect and honor for our men and women in uniform, Congress enacted the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003, 50 USC App §§ 501-596 (the “SCRA” or “Act”), to protect the personal interests of Servicemembers at home while they protect the interests of our Country abroad.

The SCRA was signed into law on December 19, 2003, and has been subsequently amended in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. The Act replaces and expands the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act (the “SSCRA”) of 1940. Although the SCRA considerably clarified the older SSCRA, many of the primary benefits and protections are the same.

The SCRA’s primary purpose is to strengthen our national defense by enabling military personnel “to devote [their] entire energy to the defense needs of the Nation.” Thus, the legislative policy underlying the historic and existing enactments of the SCRA is to provide economic and procedural safeguards for Servicemembers on active military service. To accomplish this, the Act provides a wide range of benefits protecting Servicemembers from disadvantages that could arise because of their commitment to our Nation. Likewise, the Act is to always be “liberally construed” in favor of Servicemembers, and applied in a “broad spirit of gratitude towards service personnel.”

A stated purpose by Congress of the SCRA is to provide for the defense of our Nation.

Congress’ ability to create the SCRA is through its power to declare war.

Service to Servicemembers and Their Families… SOS

The SCRA Foundation directly implements the necessary actions for the SCRA to be effective in its mission and purpose of helping our Servicemembers and their Families in their task of defending our Nation. The SCRA Foundation, Inc., provides the assistance to our Soldiers and their Families through:

(1) Direct support to Servicemembers and their Families/Dependents, including court intervention.

(2) Education;

(a) Servicemembers and their Families;

(b) Judges and members of the judiciary;

(c) Attorneys;

(d) Legislators;

(e) Financial institutions and Bankers;

(f) Media;

(g) Public at large.

(3) Aid in the assistance of reducing homelessness of our Servicemembers, Veterans, and their Families.

The founders of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Foundation pioneered the modern day application
of this area of the law. They laid the groundwork for the United States Department of Justice to obtain the largest SCRA settlement in its history.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides critical consumer and other protections to the men and women serving our nation in the military, and to the Families of those Servicemembers. The enactment of the SCRA was recognition that those who are making great sacrifices to protect us mandate our full support at home. It is in this spirit of the law, and loyalty to those who are willing to lay down their lives for our freedom that the SCRA Foundation earns its daily breath.

To our Servicemembers and their Families:
Thank you for your service and for your sacrifices…….. ALWAYS!
News

“When the United States of America sends men and women overseas to serve our country, shouldn’t we, at least, be looking out for their homes?”

SCRA Foundation Chairman Matthew Cooper on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.

October 13, 2016 marks the 6th Anniversary of the Congressional Amendments to the SCRA Drafters refer to as, "The Hurley Amendments." Please help us help Servicemembers meet and exceed the spirit and intent of the SCRA Amendments through supporting our programs.

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OUR PURPOSE
The SCRA Foundation directly implements the necessary actions for the SCRA to be effective in its mission and purpose of helping our Servicemembers and their families in their role of defending our Nation.


HURLEY v DEUTSCHE BANK
Hurley v Deutsche Bank, et al., No. 08-cv-361, 2009 WL 701006 (W.D. Mich.) The landmark Servicemembers Civil Relief Act case. The first time in the history of our country that a jury was seated to hear a case brought by a soldier against a financial institution for violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The Founders of the SCRA Foundation and their team took the Hurley case to trial after over four years of litigation. As a result of the Hurley case, the SCRA was amended (Hurley Amendments) clearly stating that Servicemembers, and their dependents, can now bring suit to right civil wrongs against them: “Private Right of Action.” Learn More

book cover smallPurchase Matt Cooper's Book on Amazon



WMU COOLEY JUDGE'S GUIDE
The 2015 Revised Michigan Judge’s Guide to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is a critical on-line and hardbound resource. The Revised Michigan Judge’s Guide to the SCRA serves to inform and educate (often for the first time) Servicemembers and their Families, judges, JAG Officers, attorneys, paralegals, media, anyone...on the purpose and application of the SCRA. The Revised Michigan’s Judge’s Guide to the SCRA is scheduled to be published and distributed to all Michigan federal, state and tribal judges FREE of charge, summer 2015. The costs of compiling, publishing, distributing and promoting the Revised Michigan Judge’s Guide to the SCRA are not covered by any taxpayer money, but from charitable donations. Please help support this most important resource for all Servicemembers and their Families impacted by violations of the SCRA, and donate today. Help us recognize the Military Consumer (Servicemembers) as equal in the eyes of civilian laws advocating consumer protection. Your donations are profoundly appreciated, and tax deductible. [IRS Code Section 170.]
Download the Guide
NOW AVAILABLE
INDIANA JUDGE'S GUIDE

Download the Guide

SOS: Serve Our Servicemembers


SCRA FOUNDATION
134 South Phelps Street, PO Box 64
Decatur, Michigan 49045
Phone: (269) 207-4237
Email: info@scrafoundation.org
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.

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