DA Form 4944-R: Report on Legal Assistance Services (LRA)

DA Form 4944-R: Report on Legal Assistance Services (LRA) – DA Form 4944-R (Report on Legal Assistance Services, or LRA) is a standardized report for Army legal offices to document workload, personnel, and services provided during a reporting period (typically annually for active component offices).

The Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) uses it for oversight, resource allocation, and program evaluation. It pairs with DA Form 2465 (Client Legal Assistance Record) for detailed client tracking.

Note: The current version dates to July 1992 (earlier October 1980 edition is obsolete). While AR 27-3 (updated as of 26 March 2020) governs the broader program, this form remains referenced for reporting.

Download the official DA Form 4944-R PDF here: https://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/A4944_R.pdf.

The Army Legal Assistance Program, authorized by 10 U.S.C. § 1044, delivers personal legal services to eligible service members, retirees, and families. It boosts readiness by addressing issues like family law, estates, and taxes before they impact missions.

DA Form 4944-R aggregates data on:

  • Staffing levels (judge advocates, civilians, paralegals).
  • Reasons for assistance (e.g., regular legal assistance, mobilizations, SRP).
  • Types of services (notarizations, wills, counseling, document preparation, tax returns).
  • New legal problems addressed, broken down by category (family law, estates, real/personal property, etc.) and client demographics.

Supervising attorneys and Staff Judge Advocates (SJAs) use this data to demonstrate program impact, justify resources, and support command decisions. Accurate reporting helps sustain high-quality, accessible legal help across installations.

Who Uses DA Form 4944-R?

  • Active Component (AC) Army legal offices prepare it annually.
  • Reserve Component offices may use it as directed.
  • The responsible attorney (typically the Chief of Legal Assistance or SJA) signs and submits it.

It falls under Requirements Control Symbol RCS JAG-81 (or similar) and is submitted through command channels to The Office of The Judge Advocate General (OTJAG), Legal Assistance Policy Division.

How to Complete DA Form 4944-R: Key Sections?

The two-page form includes structured sections for comprehensive reporting.

  • Full-time and part-time counts for:
    • Active/Reserve Component Judge Advocates.
    • Civilian attorneys.
    • Paralegals and administrative/clerical staff.
  • Provides a snapshot of office capacity.

Part II: Reason for Assistance

  • Tracks services tied to specific events or programs (e.g., Regular Legal Assistance, Mobilization/Deployment Readiness Exercise (MODRE/DEMOB), NEO, SRP, etc.).
  • Helps correlate demand with operational tempos.

Part III: Types of Services Provided

  • Section A (Preventive Law): Classes given/attended and articles published.
  • Section B (Client Services): Counts for notarizations, referrals, counseling, document preparation (wills, powers of attorney, separation agreements), tax returns (prepared/filed), mediation, in-court representation (limited), and others.
  • Detailed breakdown by major categories:
    • Family Law (nonsupport, paternity, custody, divorce, adoption).
    • Estates (wills/SGLI, casualty assistance).
    • Real Property (tenant/landlord issues).
    • Personal Property, Economic (debts, bankruptcy, insurance), Taxes, Civil/Criminal, Military Administrative, etc.
  • Further subdivided by rank/grade and client type (SM/FM, Ret, Civ, Other) for demographic insights.

Tips for Completion: Use supporting client records (DA Form 2465). Be accurate and consistent. Many offices integrate this into automated legal assistance software.

Who Is Eligible for Legal Assistance Services?

Per current AR 27-3 (2020):

  • Active duty service members and dependents.
  • Retirees receiving pay and their dependents.
  • Reserve/Guard on qualifying orders and families.
  • Certain DoD civilians, survivors, fiduciaries, and others in specific circumstances (with possible limitations).

Services cover family law, estates, consumer issues, taxes, and more—subject to office resources and expertise. In-court representation is generally limited.

U.S. service members, retirees, and eligible families should contact their local Legal Assistance Office (often through the SJA or installation directory). Many installations offer walk-in or appointment services, preventive law briefings, and tools like powers of attorney and wills.

Search for your installation’s JAG office or visit official Army resources for locators.

Download and Resources

  • Official Form: DA Form 4944-R PDF.
  • Governing Regulation: AR 27-3, The Army Legal Assistance Program (available on armypubs.army.mil).
  • Related: Client Services Deskbook (TJAGLCS) for practical guidance.

For the most current guidance, consult your servicing legal office or the Legal Assistance Policy Division, OTJAG.

This article provides general information based on official Army publications. It is not legal advice. Always consult a qualified Army legal assistance attorney for personal matters.