Active duty service members and veterans often deal with very different situations and issues than civilians do. While military personnel are just like anyone else, there are special rules and concerns that they contend with on a daily basis. One situation where this is particularly true for active duty service members is military divorce.
Dealing with divorce is already difficult. As we have mentioned before on our Los Angeles divorce attorney blog, splitting a marriage comes with major stresses. Like any other couple, military spouses must determine how property will be distributed, how custody will be arranged, and how alimony or child support will be paid. However, military personnel have to deal with unique aspects of these decisions.
For instance, what does a military spouse do if his or her ex-spouse dies? Will benefits continue? At Stolar Law Group, we hope to answer these questions clearly and succinctly.
CHOOSING WHERE TO FILE FOR DIVORCE
Military couples can end up having “residence” in several different states. Where each spouse is from, where they were married, where they reside, and where they own property can conceivably all be different states. Not only that, but state laws regarding pension or retirement division can differ, giving this decision long-term consequences.
For a divorce to file in a particular state, both spouses must agree to file. This way, one spouse cannot simply choose a state that benefits them exclusively. In addition, when choosing a state, the spouses are not required to establish residency to be eligible to file. They simply have to provide some proof of practical residency. This will also determine where they will be able to hire an experienced Los Angeles military divorce attorney.
Proof of residency can include the following elements:
- The state where they vote
- The state to whom they pay taxes
- Where the couple has a banking account
- Where the couple has drivers’ licenses
- Where the couple owns property
DIFFERENCES IN DIVORCE LAW
Any state(s) in which a couple performs one or more of these actions could conceivably be a possible state for filing for divorce. The differences in state laws regarding divorce make choosing the right state an important decision. For example, many military spouses have not developed their own careers or educational background in order to support their husband’s or wife’s military career. Choosing a state with a waiting period for divorce could allow spouses to come up with a plan for their life post-marriage.
States with waiting periods for divorce include (but are not limited to):
- Ohio (1 year)
- New York (1 year)
- Illinois (2 years)
- North Carolina (1 year)
Other laws might also influence the choice you make. In Puerto Rico, for instance, courts will not divide a pension between an active military member and his or her ex-spouse. That would be fairly advantageous for active service members, but deeply inhibiting to non-serving spouses. Laws such as these are why military spouses need to find an attorney who is experienced with military divorce and its specific concerns.
FILING INTERNATIONALLY
Divorce can be complicated by deployment. Some divorce proceedings can be interrupted or paused because a service member is serving in Iraq, Korea, Afghanistan, Germany, or elsewhere. However, with the right lawyer, your personal life does not have to wait in limbo while you or your spouse is overseas.
For example, if your spouse, assets, children, or home base is in California, you can choose to file with a Los Angeles international divorce attorney, who can handle your divorce while you are out of the country. Our experience with the specific issues surrounding military divorce and the concerns of active military deployment make us particularly suited to handle your case. If the above conditions are true for other states, you can also find an experienced attorney in those states while you are deployed.
DIVIDING PENSION & RETIREMENT BENEFITS
In 1982, the U.S. government recognized that they had an obligation to protect the ex-spouses of military personnel. That’s why the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act (USFSPA) was passed. The Act permits state courts to treat military pensions as marital property rather than income, allowing the court to divide it equitably.
The Department of Finance and Accounting will only grant a maximum of 50 percent of pension to go to an ex-spouse—however, additional benefits can be agreed upon and paid between former spouses (or ordered by the courts). After 10 years of marriage (which must also overlap with active military service), the civilian spouse is entitled to half of the pension value. However, this amount is negotiable, and many military couples agree to alternative arrangements for mutual benefit.
Even in easily-consented alimony agreements, spouses ought to remember that pension only lasts for as long as the military member is alive. Should a soldier die, pension payments will not go to ex-spouses. That is why many civilian spouses request an SBP, Survivor’s Benefit Plan, in addition to pension.
This allows ex-spouses to continue receiving support in the event of a spouse’s death. The SBP is not considered an additional asset, however—it is an agreement to allow continued payment after death. In order to receive SBP benefits, the ex-spouse must file for “former spouse” status on the SBP form within a year of finalizing the divorce.
CHILD CUSTODY & CHILD SUPPORT
Fortunately for servicemen and their families, there is a higher rate of child support compliance among active military personnel than civilians. Part of the reason is that the government has made it clear that soldiers must be willing to pay child support and provide for their families. Failure to do so will have much harsher consequences for military personnel than civilians—and the civilian penalties are already fairly harsh, as our Los Angeles divorce lawyer has pointed out before.
For military, child support is paid like any civilian would—out of monthly income. However, if child support is in dispute or you need to modify your agreement due to a change in active service, you will need to notify the court and the Child Support Services agency of your new status. You also have the power to designate a representative to receive information and handle your child support case while you are deployed overseas.
Speaking of deployment, child custody for active military personnel is rarely granted. Military personnel are often subjected to frequent relocation and deployment—since all court decisions regarding your children will be in their interests, you may need to forego primary or physical custody until you retire from the military. You may also have to pay extra child support because active duty service members will have limited visitation or shared custody, putting the bulk of childcare expenses on the civilian spouse.
For specific answers regarding your divorce, contact the Los Angeles military divorce attorneys at Stolar Law Group.
