Legal Assistance

Region Legal Service Office Southwest's mission is to provide comprehensive legal support to Navy commands and individual service members throughout their extensive area of responsibility. Legal assistance is available to eligible clients seeking assistance with personal civil legal matters. Assistance may include advice, analysis, research, negotiation, notary services and document review or preparation. Legal assistance also provides services to educate eligible persons and command representatives regarding personal legal rights and responsibilities.

Eligibility for Services

People eligible for RLSO services are active-duty service members, retirees, Reservists on active duty, and dependents with identification. Proper valid military identification is required to receive services. An identification check is conducted at the legal assistance check-in desk.

Not eligible for services

People not eligible for RLSO services are civilians or Department of Defense employees who are stationed at a command in the continental United States.

Legal Assistance Office Locations***

Naval Base San Diego Main Office; the main office is located at Building 56 aboard NB San Diego. Coming into the main gate, turn right. At the first stop sign, turn left. Enter the first parking lot on the right, and Building 56 will be the second building on your right. While there are certain spaces designated for clients, parking is often challenging and it may be necessary to use adjacent parking lots. Please call the main number at 619-556-2211 if you have questions.

Naval Base Coronado North Island Satellite Office; the RLSOSW North Island branch office is located at Building 318 aboard NB Coronado North Island. Continue straight after main gate until you reach the flag circle. Turn right on Quentin Roosevelt Boulevard. Continue straight and turn left onto Saufley Road. Building 318 will be on your right, next to the North Island Federal Credit Union and directly across from the pool behind the Command Navy Region Southwest Fleet and Family Support Center. The parking lot is located across from Building 318 on your left. The stairwell access is on the pool-side of the building. The office is located on the second floor.

Please note, the NB Coronado North Island branch office is not wheelchair accessible. Please use the NB San Diego location instead. Please call 619-545-6437 if you have questions.

Attorney Hours

Special power of attorney/notary services (walk-in only):

• NB San Diego - Monday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 12:45 to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 12:45 to 3 p.m. as well as Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. They are closed the second and fourth Wednesday of every month for training. Please contact 619-556-2211 for further information.
• NB Coronado Naval Air Station North Island - Monday through Thursday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. It is closed on Friday as well as the second and fourth Wednesday of every month for training. Please contact 619-545-6437 for further information.

NOTE: You must bring your military identification as well as a state- or government-issued photo identification with a signature on it.

Parking

• NB San Diego: across from Building 56 with designated spaces for clients
• NB Coronado North Island: across from Building 318. Please note the North Island location is not wheelchair accessible. Please visit our NB San Diego location instead.

Divorce Seminar Walk-in

NB San Diego: Seminars begin at 1 p.m.

• Monday - Part I - General information - video and Q&A
• Tuesday - Part II - Initial paperwork
• Thursday - Part III - Service of process and financial disclosures

Divorce seminars are available on a walk-in basis only, but you must be present by 1:15 p.m. to participate. Children are not allowed in the divorce seminars. Please keep in mind Legal assistance attorneys can only advise and assist one party to the divorce. Ethical rules prohibit representation of both spouses. The other party is free to consult with attorneys at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Camp Pendleton or Miramar.

Scope of Legal Assistance Services

Informational advice only is available on the following subjects:

• Conservatorships
• Domicile and state residency issues
• Guardianships
• Insurance contracts
• Military rights and benefits
• Out-of-state divorces
• Review of real estate contracts including residential leases
• Small claims court
• Subpoena issues
• Transmutation agreements

Advice and document drafting:

• Adoptions
• Advanced health care directives
• Affidavits of paternity
• Child or spousal support
• Consumer law issues
• Debtor/creditor issues
• Divorce in California
• Durable powers of attorney
• Income tax preparations tax season only
• Indebtedness letters
• Landlord/tenant issues
• Living wills
• Marital separation agreements
• Service Members Civil Relief Act
• Name changes
• Notary services
• Power of attorney
• Wills

No Support:

• Administrative separation boards/boards of inquiry
• Attorney malpractice or billing
• Business advice
• Ethics advice including standards of conduct
• Felony crimes advice
• Financial planning
• Fitness reports
• Lawsuits against the U.S. government
• Medical discharges
• Military justice advice