Kadena Legal Services

The Legal Office provides free legal assistance regarding personal civil legal matters to eligible beneficiaries, including active duty or retired military members and their dependents. Examples of personal civil legal matters include: adoption, dependent care, financial responsibility, domestic relations, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), veterans reemployment rights, landlord-tenant, and casualty affairs.

The highest priority is given to active duty personnel who need mobilization- or deployment-related legal assistance. Legal assistance attorneys can provide legal advice, conduct general review of documents, draft correspondence, and assist clients in preparing forms. Legal assistance attorneys cannot, however, represent clients in any court or administrative proceedings or draft or file legal documents with a court.

To qualify for Legal Assistance you must have a valid military identification card and fall into one of the following categories:

1. Active Duty military members and their dependents.

2. Reserve and Guard members who are on active duty and their dependents.

3. Retired military members and their dependents. If you are a retired reservist or guardsman or a dependent of one of them, you must be receiving retirement pay to be eligible for service. Please note that you must have a military ID card to be eligible.

4. Civilian employees of the Department of Defense and the military departments assigned outside the United States and its territories and dependents residing with them.

5. Select civilian contractor personnel who are assigned outside the United States and its territories and dependents residing with them. (Please note, some legal assistance will be limited). In addition to our normal customer service we offer the following weekly briefings:

Walk-In Legal Assistance By appointment only.
To make an appointment, call DSN 634-3300 or (098) 961-3300/3309.

Wills (By appointment only) Tuesday 1-2 p.m.

Legal assistance attorneys can prepare wills and advance medical directives, including living wills and medical powers of attorney. If you are deploying, we will attempt to accommodate you outside of these hours. For those seeking wills, go to the Air Force Legal Assistance Website, https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil, complete the online worksheet, record the ticket number and call our office to schedule an appointment. When calling, please make sure to have your ticket number readily available.

Powers of Attorney & Notary Service Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

An appointment is mandatory for Housing & Real Estate notary package such as Selling, Purchasing and Refinancing. Please call us at DSN 634-3300/(098) 961-3300-3309 or stop by the legal office to make an appointment.

If you need a Power of Attorney (POA), please visit the Air Force Legal Assistance Website at https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil and complete a worksheet for faster service. Members can also use the website to access numerous legal information, legal worksheets for wills, and to provide feedback on their legal office experience.

Other Services In addition to our normal customer service we offer the following weekly briefings:
Reenlistment Brief: No longer available in-person. Article 137 Reenlistment Briefs are available in ADLS.
SOFA Brief: Wednesdays at 3 p.m. (Walk-ins OK)
Pre-Marriage Brief: Appointment only. Thursdays at 10 a.m. Will need passport or birth certificate. Maximum of 5 personnel. Affidavit will expire in 30 days of signature.
Pre-Divorce Brief: Appointment only. Thursdays at 2 p.m. USAF active-duty only.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) is a not only a program but a cause.

The mission is to provide free basic tax return preparation for low-to-moderate income and elderly taxpayers. This also includes taxpayers with disabilities, limited English proficiency and military personnel.

The service is provided by certified volunteers who attend a week-long Internal Revenue Service training with a requirement for ethics and integrity. The Volunteer Tax Advisors (VTA) work hard to main the trust of all taxpayers. There is a commitment of excellence for the highest quality and best service to the taxpayer. The VITA /TCE is a great benefit for all members at Kadena and their families. This free service cannot be offered without help from the VTAs.

This year, we have a combination of Air Force, Army, civilian and retiree VTAs providing their time to make this program work. With our limited staff, we are adjusting our services to include drop off appointments for simple returns only. In-person appointments must be made for complex returns i.e. mortgage interest, investments (no crypto), capital gains and loss, ITIN application, and rental property. Give us a call to schedule an appointment.

With our limited staff, we cannot assist with international returns, self-employment (home-based businesses), foreign earned income exclusion (Form 2555), excessive investments, etc. All drop-off return and in-person tax preparation will require an appointment due to COVID-19. Please wear your mask during your appointment. If filing jointly, both parties must be present for initial interview for return or provide a power of attorney.

The Kadena Tax Center is located at building 753 on Fisher Avenue off Douglas Blvd., next to the fire station. The tax center is currently taking appointments for all ranks to include teachers via drop off appointments from March 7 to June 14, 2022. Retirees, civilians, and widow must call DSN 634-5013 for an appointment. This service is not available to contractors. No walk-in services provided.

*We will assist with the W-7 (ITIN application) which will need to be mailed.

For more information call Mrs. Evelyn Mickles, 315-634-5013.

Tax Season Office Hours: Mon – Thu, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (all services are by appt. only).

Closed for lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Closed every Friday, holidays and PACAF family days (May 31).

Drop-off Return and Teachers Tax Appointment Link :

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094EABAD2BA4F58-taxcenter1

The legal office begins recruiting volunteers for the Kadena Tax Center at the end of November. Please contact the legal office at 634-3300 if you are interested in volunteering to help the DoD Family.

Building 15
DSN: 634-3300

Do you have general questions regarding adoptions, marriage, or need a will or power of attorney? Before you visit the Kadena Law Center, visit the Air Force Legal Assistance website:

https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil

Do you need to file a claim? Visit the Air Force Claims Service Center website: https://claims.jag.af.mil/index.php?JA=930057

Have questions on the U.S. Consulate in Japan? Go to
http://japan.usembassy.gov/index.html

The Legal Office processes claims both for and against the Air Force arising out of incidents occurring at Kadena Air Base and at locations under its responsibility.

For Household Goods Claims
Please contact the carrier first. If you do not receive prompt service, please contact the Claims Service Center at https://claims.jag.af.mil/index.php?JA=930057

For Claims due to a vehicle accident or typhoon damage
Please contact your local legal office at 634-3300, or via cell phone 098-961-3300.

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Legal Assistance

VITA/TCE Free Tax Program

Contact Information

Claims