Legal Assistance

The Region Legal Service Office Legal Assistance Department offers legal advice to service members, dependents and certain classes of government employees regarding many types of personal, noncriminal legal issues. This includes but is not limited to powers of attorney and notary services, wills, consumer law advice and assistance, immigration advice and domestic relations. Powers of attorney and notary services are provided on a walk-in basis, while other services are provided by appointment. Call the RLSO at DSN 314-626-4576 for appointments and further information.

Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney may be useful or necessary, especially if the service member will be absent from home for extended periods of time. A power of attorney may give broad powers to a person's agent or may be tailored and limited to accommodate particular individual needs.

There are two types of powers of attorneys, general and special. General powers of attorney are powerful documents and should only be used in limited circumstances, while special powers of attorney provide limited powers to address a specific issue or situation. A Judge Advocate can provide guidance on whether to get a general or special power of attorney. In most cases, a special power of attorney can be drafted that will protect the maker and authorize the holder to complete all required business. No appointment is needed to obtain a power of attorney in Naples, but is recommended for those who have numerous documents or pages that need to be notarized. For the smoothest experience possible, or if you are in a rush, please visit the following website and generate your SPOA before bringing it to be notarized, https://www.jag.navy.mil/legal-services/special-power-of-attorney/)  The RLSO provides powers of attorney on a walk-in basis between 9:00 a.m. and 11 a.m., Monday through Friday, and appointments from 12 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., except Tuesdays. 

There are several services in Naples for which a power of attorney is frequently required. For instance, if you want your spouse to be able to cash checks at personnel support detachment Naples, you will need to give your spouse a special power of attorney for that purpose. Additionally, if you need a power of attorney for the sale or purchase of a vehicle registered through the "Allied Forces Italy" system, you must complete the required initial paperwork before the power of attorney can be drafted and notarized. If you are changing stations and need to leave your vehicle with another individual to sell after your departure, the Motor Vehicle Registration Office requires the use of their own power of attorney, which can be notarized at the RLSO. Both the current vehicle owner and the person named as the agent must be present for the notarization of the paperwork. Do not sign any documents until you are in front of the notary.

"Please be advised that the Legal Assistance office only handles Civil Matters, and does not provide Command or Defense advice. The Defense Service Office provides legal counsel and general assistance for Navy and Marine Corps personnel facing court-martial and administrative separation boards. In addition, the department provides advice to service members on nonjudicial punishment proceedings, criminal investigations and other adverse disciplinary and administrative matters."

The Defense Service Office provides legal counsel and general assistance for Navy and Marine Corps personnel facing court-martial and administrative separation boards. In addition, the department provides advice to service members on nonjudicial punishment proceedings, criminal investigations and other adverse disciplinary and administrative matters.