Frequently Asked Questions
If you are an officer or service member weighing a resignation, separation, or board matter, you likely have questions before you take the next step. The answers below address what service members ask Bill Meili about most often, from fees and timelines to the differences between a UQR, a REFRAD, and a hardship discharge. Bill represents officers nationwide and overseas from his office in Southlake, Texas. When you are ready to talk through your situation, call 214-363-1828 or reach out through the Contact page.
How much does it cost to hire a military resignation or separation attorney, and how do you charge?
Fees depend on the type of matter and how much help you need. Bill Meili offers two main ways to work together: full representation, where Bill handles your case from start to finish, and consulting or a package of hours, where you handle the legwork with guidance at the key decision points. Contact Bill Meili to discuss which option fits your situation.
Do you only handle Texas cases, or can you represent service members nationwide?
Bill Meili represents service members nationwide and overseas. These are federal matters, decided through the military’s personnel systems and commands rather than local courts, so being physically located in Texas does not limit Bill’s ability to help you with a military matter wherever you happen to be stationed.
What is the difference between an Unqualified Resignation (UQR), a REFRAD, and a hardship discharge?
They are three different ways out. An Unqualified Resignation (UQR) is when a commissioned officer resigns their commission and leaves the service with an honorable discharge. A Release from Active Duty (REFRAD) is when an active duty Reserve or National Guard officer comes off active duty and transitions back to a reserve component, rather than leaving service altogether. A hardship discharge is a separation, again almost always with an honorable discharge characterization, based on a serious family, personal, or professional hardship that arose or got worse after entering service. Which path fits depends on your component, your remaining obligations, and your goal.
How long do military separation and resignation cases take in general?
Most voluntary officer separation and resignation cases take several months from start to finish, and timelines have been running longer recently. The exact range depends on the type of case, your branch, and whether medical or repayment (recoupment) issues are involved. Processing has slowed alongside the widely reported reductions in the federal civilian workforce during 2025, including at the Department of Defense. For the specific ranges, see the timeline answer on each practice page.
Every case is different. Past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome, and the timelines here are general estimates, not promises.
Will hiring a lawyer make my command or branch see me as a problem?
No. Getting advice on a resignation, separation, or board matter is a normal, lawful use of your rights, and these requests are handled through personnel channels. A well-prepared, professional package often moves more smoothly precisely because it answers the questions the reviewing authority will ask. You never know the exact personalities of the people you’re dealing with at the command levels, but Bill’s experience, and what he has told clients for years, is that commanders and their legal staffs will respect you more for taking steps to give it your best shot.
Is my consultation confidential?
Yes. What you share with Bill Meili about your situation is treated as confidential.
I feel trapped by my service obligation and I am overwhelmed. Is there really a way out?
For most service members there is a lawful path, or process, to resolve or leave an obligation, and you do not have to face it alone. If you are in emotional crisis right now, please reach out for support: call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (dial 988, then press 1 for the Veterans/Military Crisis Line, or text 838255). When you’re ready to talk through your administrative legal options, contact Bill Meili for a confidential consultation. Resolving an obligation can lift real pressure, but it is not a substitute for medical or mental-health care.