Legal Assistance

Marine Corps Legal Assistance programs provide free professional legal help to active duty, their dependents, residents and those entering the Depot for employment purposes. Legal assistance may also help certain survivors of deceased Armed Forces members, veterans and their family 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.

All the information 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:

First, 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 anytime 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.

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.

Some things to remember:

• Attorney services can be made by appointment. 
• Procedures regarding scheduled office appointments: Clients need to make childcare arrangements for the date/time of their appointment. Children will not be permitted to attend the appointment with the attorney. Childcare 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 childcare arrangements. 
• Attorneys will not provide legal advice over the telephone. 
• Walk-In Services. We take walk-ins on Tuesday and Thursday mornings on a first-come, first-served basis from 0830-1130. Issues handled during Walk-ins may consist of Landlord/Tenant issues (lease review, eviction notices, landlord demand letters, etc.); Consumer Law (auto issues, credit card issues, cell phone issues, debt collection); and Emergency Issues, such as being served with court documents. Family law and estate planning issues are also welcome during walk-ins.
• Separation/Divorce Counseling. If someone is looking to receive Separation/Divorce services from the LAO, they are required to attend the Separation/Divorce brief before coming in during walk-in hours. The brief takes place every Wednesday at 0900. All active-duty military, retirees, dependents, and reservists scheduled for deployment can receive separation/divorce services including our 0900 brief that we hold every Wednesday.
• Appointments are available by calling 843-228-2925. 
• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. 
• All scheduled appointments are one-half hour 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 Legal Office provides support in several areas to include:

• Claims
• Legal Assistance
• Tax Preparation

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 U.S. 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 Information of Legal Assistance may be obtained by calling the Law Center at 843-228-2925. The Depot Legal Services Support Team Center of Parris Island is located in Bldg. 400.

Claims

Claims provides information, assistance, and the proper forms to submit claims against the government.