Legal Assistance

XVIII Airborne Corps Legal Assistance Office

The XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg Legal Assistance Office is now open see hours of operations below.

Legal Assistance Office hours of operations:

• Closed for Lunch everyday: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Last client will be seen at 11:15 a.m.
• MONDAY: 9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.: Attorneys will only see clients that have scheduled appointments
• TUESDAY: 9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Attorneys will only see clients that have scheduled appointments
• WEDNESDAY: 9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.: Closed to clients not seeking assistance with Wills. Mandatory Wills briefing begins at 9 a.m., sign-in from 8 to 8:50 a.m. Walk in Wills: Order Of priority 1- Deploying Service Members 2- Active Duty Service members 3- All Others ALL Clients needing a drafted will must be present at 9 a.m. Sign in starts at 8 a.m.
• THURSDAY: Closed 9 to 11:30 a.m. for training. Open 1 to 3:45 p.m. (Family Law Only -- Divorce/Separation Brief begins at 9 a.m., this briefing is MANDATORY)
• FRIDAY: 9 to 11:45 a.m.

Power of Attorney and Notarial Services are offered on walk-in basis.

The office is closed on Federal and XVIII Airborne Corps training holidays. We also close periodically for military training obligations.

The office is located in Building 4-2843 Normandy Dr. and can be reached by calling 910-396-6113. We are located in the Client Services Office in Wing D of the Soldier Support Center, 1st Floor. If you enter the Soldier Support Center through the main doors, turn left at the information desk and go down the hallway. Client Services will be on your left across from Retiree Services.

XVIII Airborne Corps legal assistance programs provide free professional legal help to active-duty and retired military members and their dependents. Legal assistance also helps certain survivors of deceased armed forces members. A legal assistance officer is a licensed attorney, though not always in the state where stationed. Legal assistance attorneys give advice and help prepare legal documents and correspondence. Military ID is required to make an appointment, appointments cannot be made over the phone.

Everything the client discusses with a legal assistance attorney is confidential and protected by the attorney-client privilege. The entire legal assistance staff zealously protects client confidentiality.

Before making a legal assistance appointment, you should do the following:

• Take logical steps to help yourself. If you find yourself in a legal dispute, try to talk to the other party before consulting an attorney. You can then give the attorney both sides of the story. You may find that the other party is reasonable and willing to resolve the matter. In your approach, be tactful and courteous. Many legal problems arise simply because the parties are discourteous and lose their tempers.
• When you see your attorney, bring along all available documents, records and correspondence about your question or problem. The nature of the information you provide will directly affect the quality of advice you receive.
• If you need a document notarized, or a power of attorney, come in any time during our normal work hours. Most banks will provide notary service for their customers free of charge. Additionally, many stationary stores will provide notary service for a nominal fee. According to North Carolina law, a notary may charge no more than $5 for a notary public service. Army Community Service, 3rd floor Soldier Support Center provide notary Service free of charge.

Remember, the most help you can give yourself is to use sound judgment and seek legal advice before acting on any legal or business matter.

Eligibility

Legal assistance may be provided to active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces (and reservists scheduled for deployment) and their dependents, retired members of the armed forces and their dependents, and dependent survivors of active-duty and retired members. This statutory authority does not extend to civilian employees. Before our attorneys can talk with you, our staff will have to complete what is called a "conflicts check" to ensure that we do not represent both parties in a dispute.

The staff judge advocate general or legal assistance office offers advice and assistance on legal problems.

These services include:

• Domestic relations
• Non-support, consumer protection
• Immigration
• Taxes

The office also provides assistance in the preparation of documents such as powers of attorney and wills. It is recommended that you bring all leases, agreements, contracts, etc., to the legal assistance office for review before you sign.

82D Airborne Division Legal Assistance

The office is located at 5301 Ardennes Street, Fort Bragg, NC and can be reached by calling 910-432-0850.

Hours of operation are: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday,
1 to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Special Services hours of operation:

• Service members only: Monday, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
• Family members only: Thursday, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
• Consumer law: Tuesday, 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.
• Will preparation: Wednesday, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
• Powers of attorney: walk-in basis during normal hours of operation
• Notary services: walk-in basis during normal hours of operation

Clients should bring all documents related to their legal matter with them to their appointment. Arrive at least 10 minutes early for administrative in-processing. Call at least one day in advance to cancel appointments.

Some things to remember:

• Attorney services are by appointment only.
• Appointments are made on the first day of the work week starting at 9 a.m. Appointments are made no more than two week in advance. Appointments must be made in person to verify eligibility and cannot be scheduled over the phone.
• Procedures regarding scheduled office appointments: Clients need to make child care arrangements for the date and time of their appointment. Children will not be permitted to attend the appointment with the attorney. Child care is not provided by this office. If the client arrives for their appointment with children, their appointment will be canceled and rescheduled to enable the client to make child care arrangements.
• Attorneys will not provide legal advice over the telephone.
• All scheduled appointments are half an hour in length and follow-up appointments will be scheduled accordingly.
• If you cannot make your scheduled appointment, please call to cancel as far in advance as possible.

The Center for Personnel Claims Support - not the Fort Knox Field Claims Office-- is responsible for all claims related to shipment or storage of household goods. CPCS may be reached at 502-626-3000, through DSN 312-536-3000, by or via email at usarmy.knox.hqda-otjag.mbx.cpcs@army.mil.

PERSONNEL CLAIMS

CLAIMS OFFICE

• Phone: DSN: 312-464-2934
• Fax: 502-624-8178

Hours of Operation:

• Hours: Monday - Wednesday & Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday: 1 to 4 p.m.
• **Closed on training and federal holidays**

Personnel Claims Act claims must now be filed with the Center for Personnel Claims Support at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Personnel claims arise from damage to personal property incident to service. These claims include damage to household goods during shipment, POV shipment loss or damage, and claims for damage in on-post quarters caused by fire, flood, unusual occurrence, theft, or vandalism. If you need assistance or guidance in filing a Personnel Claim, contact the Center for Personnel Claims Support at 502-626-3000.

Click the link below for more information:

• Center For Personnel Claims Support Information
• Claims Website: https://www.jagcnet.army.mil/Home/public/claims.html
• Email Address: usarmy.knox.hqda-otjag.mbx.cpcs@mail.mil
• Electronic Forms: http://www.apd.army.mil