Legal Assistance

Claims must be submitted within specified time limits.

Shipment-related Claims

All loss and damage must be reported to the Transportation Service Provider within 180 days of delivery. If you noted items as missing or damaged on your paperwork at delivery (Form 1850 or DD Form 1840) or similar form provided by the TSP, that paperwork serves as notice.

If you discover additional damaged or missing items after delivery, you must file a supplemental notice of loss through the Defense Property System, the Official DOD Customer Moving Portal, at https://dps.move.mil/cust. 

This is also the online system that you will need to use to file your shipment claim with the TSP.

The claim must be filed with the TSP within nine months of the date of delivery to get the benefit of the Full Replacement Value program.

• Damage to a shipped vehicle must be reported immediately to the vehicle processing center where the vehicle was delivered.
• Claims for unusual occurrences must be presented to a Military Claims office within two years after the claims accrues.
• Claims under Article 139 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice must be submitted within 90 days of the incident.

Failure to immediately report losses and damage to shipped household goods or vehicles may prohibit compensation.

The Legal Assistance and Claims office can be contacted by email at usarmy.usag-italy.setaf-af.mbx.sja-legal-assistance@army.mil or by phone at 011-39-0444-71-8496 or DSN 314-646-8496.

Tax Assistance Services

The Vicenza Legal Assistance office does not operate a tax assistance center to prepare taxes.

All Soldiers are strongly encouraged to use Military OneSource to prepare their taxes.

Military OneSource is a confidential Department of Defense funded program that is both a call center and a website providing comprehensive information on every aspect of military life at no cost to Active Duty, Guard and Reserve Component members, their families and survivors. Each year from mid-January to mid-October, Military OneSource provides a free tax service called MilTax. MilTax has easy-to-use software that is designed specifically for the military community and tailored to military life - addressing scenarios including multiple moves, deployments and more. Filers can work anytime, anywhere, at their own pace. Plus, calculations have a 100 percent accuracy guarantee. In addition to the software, MilTax consultants are available to help military members and their families take command of their taxes and be the best guardian of their finances and families.

Military OneSource also offers practical articles and guidelines on what is needed to file a successful return. For more information, visit WWW.MILITARYONESOURCE.MIL/MILTAX-FREE-TAX-SERVICES.

Individuals who are not eligible to use MilTax can use the free filing services provided by the IRS. For more information, visit HTTPS://WWW.IRS.GOV/FILING/FREE-FILE-DO-YOUR-FEDERAL-TAXES-FOR-FREE.

Those who do not qualify for free filing will have to purchase a commercial tax preparation software or hire a commercial preparer to file their taxes.

While you are in Italy on orders as a member of the force, civilian accompanying the force, or dependent, Italian law applies to you. This includes your official legal status, jurisdiction over crimes committed in Italy, and requires adherence to host nation motor vehicle laws, among other things. The Italian and United States governments adhere to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Status of Forces Agreement, and both sovereigns have also entered into numerous agreements to establish legal status and identify other special rules that apply to U.S. soldiers and civilian employees as well as members of their families while stationed in Italy. Persons with questions relating to their legal status or the applicability of certain rules and regulations can contact the Legal Assistance Office by email at usarmy.usag-italy.setaf-af.mbx.sja-legal-assistance@army.mil or by phone at 011-39-0444-71-8496 or DSN 314-646-8496.

Active-duty Army personnel who are under investigation, charged or facing an adverse action for a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice are entitled to free legal representation by a Trial Defense Service attorney. The Trial Defense Service is an independent Army organization that works for soldiers, not for the command. All Soldiers who work with their office are protected by attorney/client confidentiality, and will have an experienced and competent attorney working to protect and promote their best interests. Trial Defense Service can be contacted at 011-39-0444-71-8511 or DSN 314-646-8511.

Soldiers, civilian employees, retirees and their family members are eligible for legal assistance services at the Vicenza Legal Assistance office.

Legal Assistance Services

All services are by appointment only.

Paralegal appointments for services such as:

• Notary
• Affidavits
• Powers of attorney
• Other routine administrative matters

Attorney appointments for:

• Family and consumer law
• Real estate and landlord/tenant issues
• Economic, financial or consumer disputes
• Military and civilian administrative issues
• Special victims counsel
• Immigration and citizenship
• Italian legal issues

Estate planning assistance:

• Wills
• Living wills
• Health care powers of attorney
• Information on trusts and guardianship of minor children

Please send an email request for services to our office email at:

usarmy.usag-italy.setaf-af.mbx.sja-legal-assistance@army.mil

Please include

• Your name and rank:
• Your DOD ID number:
• Your spouse's name (if applicable):
• Your spouse's DOD ID Number (if applicable):
• Your telephone number:
• A detailed description of your issue:

Someone from our staff will reach out to you to set up an appointment as appropriate.

Individuals requesting legal services are required to verify their identity and eligibly prior to receiving services.

Claims Services

American members of the Vicenza military community who suffer loss or damage to personal property incident to service may be eligible for compensation under the Army claims program. Incidents include:

• Loss or damage to household goods and vehicles pursuant to shipment
• Combat loss or damage
• Unusual occurrences such as theft or vandalism
• Article 139 Uniform Code of Military Justice: a means of redress to any individual who believes their property has been willfully damaged or wrongfully taken by a member of the armed forces of the United States.