Legal Assistance

The Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at Fort Meade offers a wide-range of direct, confidential legal services to authorized clients, including the Command and staff of Fort Meade and partner units. In addition, the office provides free civil legal assistance services to active-duty and retired service members, their family members, and other individuals authorized to receive services in accordance with AR 27-3.

Claims Division

The Fort Meade Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) Claims Division is an Area Claims Office (ACO) with responsibility for investigating and adjudicating claims as noted in AR 27-20 and DA Pam 27-162. It has jurisdiction over certain Medical Affirmative Claims, asserting liens for medical injuries and property damage on behalf of the United States, Military Medical Treatment Facilities, and TRICARE, arising in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and Tort and Personal Property Claims, filed against the United States, arising in most counties in Maryland and Pennsylvania (see website for the specific list of jurisdictions). Time limits apply when you are filing claims, so your prompt action is required. Please visit the Fort Meade Claims Division website for guidance and contact information.

Legal Assistance Division

The Fort Meade Legal Assistance Division provides direct, confidential civil legal services to individuals authorized by Army Regulation 27-3, including members of the Uniformed Services of the U.S. and their family members, survivors of members of the Uniformed Services who would be eligible if the service member was alive, and Reserve Component personnel on active duty for 30 days or more.

Services include, but are not limited to:

1. Wills and Estate Planning
2. Legal Separations, Divorce and Child Support
3. Responses to Military Administrate Matters (15-6 Investigations, GOMORs, Referred OERs, Bars to Continued Service, FLIPLs, etc.)
4. Powers of Attorney and Notary Services
5. Landlord/Tenant Disputes
6. Consumer Problems (Debts, Contracts, SCRA, etc.)
7. Special Education Services

The Legal Assistance Office no longer runs a tax preparation center, although tax advice is provided with respect to real, personal property tax, and federal income tax issues. Alternative tax filing options and assistance are available from:

• Military OneSource
• Volunteer Tax Service: 800-906-9887

Legal Assistance Division

• Hours: Monday-Friday 0800-1200; 1300-1600 (closed Thursday mornings, Sat, Sun, and all Federal holidays)
• Phone: 301-677-9504 / 9536 (will go to voicemail – please leave a message)
• Please see the website to request an appointment or for further guidance on the appointment process.