Military Divorce Lawyer in Virginia
When one or both spouses are members of the Armed Forces (active duty, reserve, or retired) and one or both of you are considering a divorce, your military status adds an extra layer of consideration. There are unique issues that must be addressed. How you address those issues and under which jurisdiction will greatly impact the outcome of your divorce.
At Van Hooser & Aguirre, P.C., our family law attorneys understand the unique issues associated with military divorces and, when representing you, will plan for any and all contingencies that may arise. Whether or not you are the spouse in the military and whether or not you are the one filing for divorce, contact our office today at 703-659-4402 to learn about military divorces and create a strategy for moving forward.
What Is a Military Divorce?
A 'military divorce' is a divorce where at least one of the spouses is serving or has served in the military. These divorces have unique issues that are not present in civilian divorces, including the determination of jurisdiction, the division of the military pension, and unique custody and visitation situations.
Who Has Jurisdiction over Military Divorces in Virginia?
When civilians divorce, determining the proper jurisdiction in which to file the divorce is fairly straightforward because they simply file in the county of the state where they reside––so long as they satisfy any other state or local residency requirement. Members of the military, however, may reside in one place temporarily but have another place as their official residence. This can complicate matters in determining if Virginia has jurisdiction. In most military divorces, there are three options available for filing a divorce proceeding.
- The state of the spouse filing for divorce can have jurisdiction.
- The state where the military member is stationed can have jurisdiction.
- The state where the military member claims legal residency can have jurisdiction.
For example, if a spouse who is in the military is stationed in California but claims residency in Virginia but their non-military spouse has moved out and now lives in Maryland, it's possible that any of those three states could be a proper venue for the dissolution of their marriage.
Determining the proper state in which to file for divorce is a question that can be addressed by one of our skilled attorneys with experience in military divorces. It's important to consult with an attorney who is well versed in military issues because how assets and debts are divided, how things like parenting time, and spousal maintenance are determined will vary according to each of these three states, and that may or may not work to your benefit.
How is Property Divided during a Military Divorce?
The division of property in a military divorce can be a complicated matter. Military retired pay is highly litigious, as the soon-to-be-ex spouse typically requests at least a portion of the service member's retirement pay. Many former military spouses also request that they continue to receive benefits after the divorce, especially since benefits through the military are usually as good or better than civilian benefits at a much lower cost. There are a few specific things to keep in mind with regard to retirement pay specifically and benefits generally.
The 10/10 Rule & Retirement
Under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA), codified at 10 U.S.C. § 1408, there is what's known as the 10/10 rule. This rule applies when the spouses were married for 10 of the years that one spouse was serving active duty in the armed forces (10 years of marriage/10 years of service). If this 10-year requirement has been met, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) will pay the former spouse's portion of the service member's retired pay directly.
The 20/20/20 Rule & Continued Benefits
Many former military spouses want benefits, such as Tricare insurance and commissary access, to continue after a divorce. For this to occur, the spouses must have been married a minimum of 20 years of the military member's time in service. This is commonly referred to as the 20/20/20 rule: 20 years of marriage/20 years of military service/20 years of overlap of marriage and service.
Division of Other Property & Military Divorces
Often, the division of other types of properties is determined by the law of the state where the divorce is filed. This includes residential properties, stocks, and vehicles. Because of this, it is very important to consider the pros and cons of filing divorce papers in every potential state.
What Happens to Child Custody after a Military Divorce in Virginia?
If you have children and are active duty, custody arrangements can be more complicated when the military member may PCS or deploy. The question of custody, also referred to as parenting time or custodial time, is dependent on what's in the best interest of the child. But there is the added potential that one parent––the active duty parent––may have to move from time to time due to permanent change of station or deployment. Relocation cases are common for children with one parent in the military. Oftentimes, the child custody order will reflect the laws of the state where the divorce petition was filed. When the military parent must move, there are special considerations for relocation.
Proactively, when creating a parenting plan, the parents can incorporate the various possibilities that may arise specific to the service member and deployment. They can also create an alternative parenting plan that addresses these same issues.
Further, the military requires a Family Care Plan when any of the following situations exist:
- A service member is a single parent and has custody of a child under age 19.
- A service member shares custody of a child under age 19 with another parent to whom the service member is not currently married.
- Both parents are service members and have custody of a child under age 19 (both parents must sign the same Family Care Plan).
- A service member is the sole caretaker for a child under age 19.
- A service member is a parent of a child under age 19 and the other spouse is unable to care for the child due to illness, disability, or another reason.
Active duty service members have 60 days to give their commanding officer a formal Family Care plan. Reserve members have 90 days to do the same.
Contact a Military Divorce Lawyer in Northern Virginia Today
Determination of property division, support, custody, and other matters in a military divorce requires the knowledge and experience of an attorney familiar with military family law, as this can be a very specialized area. At Van Hooser & Aguirre, P.C., our attorneys will guide you through the process. Contact us at 703-659-4402 or complete our online form to schedule a confidential Consultation today.
