Fort Detrick  Legal

The Legal Assistance Office in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick, provides individual legal services to active duty members of the uniform services, military retirees, and their families. Members of the reserve component of the armed forces may receive individual assistance with legal issues pertaining to mobilization and deployment.

Types of Services

Legal assistance attorneys provide information and legal counsel to resolve personal issues on a variety of legal subjects and military personnel matters.

These include but not limited to:

• Estate planning (wills, powers of attorney, and advanced medical directives)
• Real estate and landlord-tenant law
• Income tax returns
• Consumer affairs
• Family law (divorce, paternity, custody and adoption)
• Economic matters (contracts, indebtedness)
• Immigration law
• Civilian administrative matters (vehicle registration, drivers' license)

Attorneys negotiate and correspond to opposing parties on behalf of clients and draft documents, such a simple contracts. However, legal assistance attorneys do not draft court documents, appear in court or provide business advice. For adverse administrative actions, attorneys counsel soldiers on drafting rebuttals and appeals.Call 301-619-2221 to make an appointment with an attorney. Interviews with an attorney are available without an appointment on a walk-in, first-come/first-served basis on minor legal matters on Thursday afternoons from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Power of Attorney/Notary Services

Power of attorney preparation and notary public services are available on a walk-in basis. To expedite the process, clients are encouraged to call ahead with the information for the power of attorney. Clients should call to make sure a notary is available.

Tax Services

The Legal Assistance Office coordinates an annual tax assistance program for eligible clients from January through April. Please call ahead to schedule appointments, 301-619-1040.

Claims Service

The Claims Office, which can be reached through 301-619-2221, can provide assistance with claims for household goods, personal property and privately owned vehicle shipments. No appointments are necessary. Attorneys are not available to represent claimants in these cases.

Trial Defense Services

The Trial Defense Service at Fort George G. Meade, Md., provides attorneys to service members who are facing discipline under the Uniform Code of Military Justice or involuntary discharge under administrative procedure. Call for an appointment at (DSN) 622-9218/9822, commercial 301-677-9218/9822.

Hours of Operation (Legal Assistance & Claims Office)

The Legal Assistance and Claims Offices are located in Building 521 Fraim Street, Room 1.  Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 am  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays, then 1:00 pm. to 4:00 pm. Monday-Friday.  The office is closed for lunch each day from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  The office's telephone number is 301-619-2221 or DSN 312-343-2221.