Claim for Attorney's Fees Incident to Purchase of Residence

A decision was requested regarding an employee's claim for reimbursement of attorney's fees incident to the purchase of a residence at his new duty station. Since the employee was required to pay the bank's legal fees in connection with the purchase, he was entitled to reimbursement of attorney's fees for the customary services necessary to complete the purchase. The employee also retained his own attorney because of complications with the abstract of the title. The portion of that fee paid to his attorney because of the title problem was reimbursable since independent legal services were necessary to ensure clear title. The balance of the fee for survey and attendance at the closing were duplicative and not reimbursable.