Legal Assistance

It is best to plan ahead to avoid the usual pre-deployment/pre-transfer crunch, and in general, avoid having legal problems become legal emergencies.

A valid military identification card is required for all services. Legal emergencies might be seen without an appointment. Please call 360-396-6003, or stop by to have your case screened.

Navy JAG

Types of Services

Advice and assistance regarding the following matters are available to all active-duty, retired personnel and their family members at all legal assistance offices:

• Wills for individuals and married couples, including trust provisions for children, for beneficiaries with special needs and for estate tax saving when appropriate
• Powers of attorney and notary services (walk-in basis until 3 p.m. daily)
• Domestic relations: divorce, separation, annulment, child custody and paternity
• Step-parent adoptions and name changes
• Nonsupport and indebtedness
• Landlord/tenant relations
• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
• Minor civilian criminal matters (advice only)
• Real estate (in limited capacity-advice only)
• Consumer affairs
• Personal property claims
• Referral to programs for citizenship and immigration

Limitations on Legal Assistance Services

Legal assistance attorneys do not provide the following services:

• Advice on private business ventures
• Giving legal advice over the telephone, except for remote commands and follow-ups
• Representation of parties in court

If any of your household goods are lost, damaged, or destroyed during the moving process, you may be entitled to full replacement/repair value of that item(s), assuming your Notice of Loss or Damage was filed within the 75 days (applicable to household goods shipments picked up prior to May 15, 2020) or within the 180 days (applicable to household goods shipments picked up May 15, 2020 and after) AND your claim is filed within the nine months following the date of delivery. All claims must be submitted in the Defense Personal Property System (DPS), which is the portal your move originally was scheduled in. However, if you and your moving company cannot reach a settlement for all or a portion of your claim, you can transfer that portion of your claim to your Military Claims Office for processing.  DSN: 564-3310, Comm.: 757-440-6315, Toll Free: 888-897-8217, Email: NorfolkClaims@navy.mil, Online: http://www.jag.navy.mil/organization/code_15.htm

Use the front of DD Form 1840/1840R to notify the mover of any loss or damage you find at the time of delivery. You can also find a link on Move.mil under the tutorial tab at the top of the page. If further loss or damage is discovered after the transportation provider departs, use the reverse side of the form, DD Form 1840R. You must file DD Form 1840/1840R within 70 days of delivery. Completing and submitting the DD Form 1840/1840R does not constitute filing a claim. A claim is separate and distinct from these forms. Your local personal property office (PPO) and claims office will give you complete instructions on where and how to file DD Form 1840/1840R and your claim.

You can find more info on filing a claim here:  M.O.S.