WALK-IN SERVICES
POWERS OF ATTORNEY: Powers of attorney (POA) are offered on a walk-in basis at any time during business hours. General POAs and Specific POAs are available. Please make sure to bring all information related to the power(s) you are granting (such as year, make, model, and VIN for a Vehicle POA) and the correct name address and phone number of the person you are appointing to act on your behalf. Only the individual granting the POA must be present. More information on POAs can be found here.
NOTARIES (INCLUDING AFFIDAVITS AND CERTIFIED COPIES): Notarial services are offered on a walk-in basis at any time during business hours. Documents presented for notification must be completely filled out and unsigned. The Legal Assistance does not notarize the following documents:
- Wills or trusts not drafted by our office
- Separation agreements
- North Carolina real estate closings (for the buyer) or refinances
If you need a certified copy of a public record (court record, birth certificate, marriage license, car title, etc.) you should contact the official custodian of the record such as the courthouse, DMV, or state vital records agency. Legal Assistance personnel can only certify copies of public records for limited military administrative purposes.
DO NOT SIGN ANY DOCUMENT REQUIRING A NOTARY SEAL UNTIL YOU ARE ACTUALLY IN FRONT OF THE NOTARY!!!
REVIEW OF UNSIGNED CONTRACTS: subject to attorney availability
WALK-IN-WILLS: Active Duty service members, accompanying spouses and deploying DoD Civilian Employees (with orders) can walk-in on Wednesday afternoons at 1300 hours for Wills. Walk-in wills may be limited due to attorney availability and clients with upcoming deployments or pressing medical issues will be prioritized. You can save time by completing a Will Worksheet ahead of time and bringing it with you.
FAMILY LAW: We handle family law related issues on Thursdays. We DO NOT make appointments for family law related issues on any other day except in emergency circumstances.
Clients with divorce/separation issues, including support and custody, must attend a briefing prior to speaking individually with an attorney in our office. The briefing is presented on Thursday at 0730 and again at 1300 hours. The briefing is limited to the first 20 people and only one spouse may attend a briefing at our office. The 82nd Airborne Division Legal Assistance Office also provides briefings on Thursday at 0900 and 1300. If one spouse has already attended a briefing, the opposing spouse may attend at the other office. If you have a civilian attorney, you must bring a written waiver from him/her in order to attend the briefing.
Clients who have previously attended a divorce/separation briefing or who have other family-related issues (such as adoption, step-parent adoption, guardianship, paternity, support, and/or custody issues not related to a current marriage) may consult an attorney in our office without attending a briefing on a walk-in basis on Thursdays from 0730-1130 and 1300-1630. Availability of an attorney is subject to staffing and the number of clients already waiting to see an attorney.
The Legal Assistance Office does not draft, review, or notarize separation agreements and our attorneys cannot represent you in court.
INFORMATION PAPERS: We have information papers on many common legal topics available in our waiting room during all office hours. Information papers are also available via the links on the left-hand column of this page.
APPOINTMENT SERVICES
WILLS AND ESTATE PLANNING: In addition to the walk-in wills described above, wills are available by appointment for all eligible clients. Advance medical directives, health care powers of attorney, and durable powers of attorney can be done in conjunction with a will appointment or completed on a walk-in basis. A Will Worksheet MUST be completed prior to your appointment time. More complicated estate planning matters may require referral to a civilian attorney. In addition to a will and powers of attorney, clients may want to consider printing and filling out a Peace of Mind Plan. This is not a legal document, but can be a very helpful way of organizing information for your loved ones.
CONSUMER LAW: Debt Collection/Credit Reporting Problems, Real Property and Leases (tenant only), Contract Issues, Identity Theft, Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
MILITARY ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS: The following military specific cases are handled on an appointment basis:
- OER and NCOER appeals
- FLIPL rebuttals and requests for reconsideration
- General Officer Memorandums of Reprimand (GOMOR) rebuttals, removals, and transfers
- Security Clearance rebuttals and appeals
- Others IAW Regulation
If we are unable to schedule an appointment to complete a military administrative action prior to the suspense date, we will assist clients in requesting extensions. Please bring copies of all documentation.
IMMIGRATION/NATURALIZATION
NAME CHANGES: If you need to change your name or a child's name through court order, please book an appointment. If your name has changed due to marriage or divorce, please follow the directions on the Social Security website to obtain a new card and use the card to update your driver's license, military ID, bank accounts, etc.
TAX CENTER: Open during the tax season (January - June). The center is located on the 6th Floor of the Soldier Support Center. Outside of tax season, please call to schedule an appointment. For more information, click here.
SERVICES WE CANNOT PROVIDE
The following are services we CANNOT provide pursuant to Army Regulation 27-3:
- Military Justice Matters (UCMJ), including Article 15s, involuntary separations and show-cause boards, courts-martial, and rights-advisements. Contact Trial Defense Services at 910-907-1950
- Civilian Criminal Matters
- Private Business Activities (including acting as a landlord)
- Litigation Against the United States
- Employment Matters (except enforcement of USERRA)