Joint Law Center / Legal Assistance

Location
Bldg 852, East Wing (just to the north of the parade deck)

For appointments and general information please call 269-3586

Legal Assistance

The mission of the Legal Assistance Office is to serve eligible personnel by providing professional and zealous representation with regard to their personal legal affairs.

Hours of Operations
Monday - Friday:
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

TAX CENTER INTAKE SHEETS

- Intake/review sheet
- Intake sheet

Sections

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
- The mission of the VITA section is to assist you in preparation and completion of your federal and state income tax returns. We can file taxes electronically or by producing the necessary documents in hardcopy which you would need to mail in, depending on the nature of your return. Our personnel are trained and experienced in both federal and state tax regulations and are knowledgeable of all the forms and legal requirements. VITA is open from mid-November through the beginning of June, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Divorce
- Legal Assistance can provide help with some divorces. Legal Assistance cannot assist with contested divorces.
- Self Service Guide

Wills and Estate Planning
- To execute a will, you must attend the Will Brief. The Will Brief is held Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. No appointment is needed to attend. Call to confirm brief is scheduled.

Immigration Services
- Legal Assistance can provide help with immigration. No appointment is needed.

Powers of Attorney
- Legal Assistance provides three types of Powers of Attorney: General, Special and Care of Children.

- A General Power of Attorney grants another person authority to manage all business affairs on your behalf, except changing life insurance beneficiaries.

- A Special Power of Attorney grants another person authority to manage a specific power or powers that you have assigned.

- A Power of Attorney for Care of Children allows the person you assign to give consent for emergency medical treatment, authorize all necessary medical treatment, perform any and all parental acts, enroll children in daycare and pick children up from school.

Documents
Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act
Freedom of Information Act

Military Justice

- The mission of Military Justice is to provide legal advice and support to all MCAS Yuma tenant commands in the prosecution of Marines and sailors in general, special and summary courts-martial.

- The Military Justice Office provides legal services and advice in matters involving criminal violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice to the commands aboard MCAS Yuma.

Services

- Process Requests for Legal Services from tenant commands.

- Represent the Government in all courts-martial proceedings.

- Provide advice to commanding officers regarding criminal investigations.

- Provide recommendations to commanding officers for appropriate disposition of criminal offenses committed by Marines or Sailors.

- Conduct military justice training for commanding officers, executive officers and unit legal officers as requested

* Point of Contact for Military Justice is Cpl Stover at 928-269-2890 *

Request for Legal Services
Request for Legal Services

Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM 2008 ed.)
Please submit signed requests for legal services to the Military Justice office.

Civil/Administrative Law

Claims
Federal Tort Claims Act Claims Procedures
Please submit claims to the Civil Law clerk for processing.

Enclosures to Federal Tort Claims
SF95
All claims must be submitted using the SF95.

Electronic Funds Transfer
The Electronic Funds Transfer form is mandatory for all claims. All personal property claim settlements will be done by the Electronic Funds Transfer method. Claim settlement checks are no longer sent to claimants.

Optional Documentation, for use as needed:
Subrogee Form
This form is for anyone authorized to act on behalf of the company or corporation filing the claim.

Attorney Authorization
This form is authorizing an attorney to act on behalf of the claimant.

Deductible Form
This form is for the claimant to authorize their insurance company to recover the insurance deductible.

Personal Property Claims
For use by Active Duty members of the armed forces for claims against the Government. DD Form 1842 and DD Form 1844 both need to be filled out and submitted together.
Checklist
Electronic Funds Transfer
DD Form 1842
DD Form 1844

Optional Documentation, for use on an as needed basis:
Computer Repair Form
Electronic Repair Form
Insurance Form

Motor Vehicle Accident Report
SF91
For use with any claim involving or resulting from a motor vehicle accident.

JAGMAN
Jagman Investigation Handbook
For more information on investigations, please see the Civil Law attorney or call 269-3636 (menu choice 8) for an appointment.

Administrative Separations
Marine Corps Separations Manual

Timeline
No “statute of limitations” exists for administrative separations. Accordingly, a Marine may be processed for separation based on conduct notwithstanding the length of time between the conduct and the notification of separation or the expiration of a statute of limitations for court-martial or non-judicial punishment. However, once separation action has begun, prompt forwarding, review, and decision in each case are essential. Proceedings are initiated on the date a command receives a written request for separation from a member or on the date a command delivers a member notice of separation proceedings. The following listed time goals are measured from the date of notification or initiation of a voluntary request until the actual date of separation. Failure to complete an action within the prescribed time in no way bars separation or affects characterization. Every effort should be made, however, to meet the established goals.

Checklists
6203 Convenience of the Government

.1 Parenthood
.2 Condition not a Disability
.3 Personality Disorder