Usually, the issues in a divorce are simple. However, when one or both parties are in the military, there can be additional issues that complicate matters.
For instance, military pensions have special rules for their distribution. The 10/10/10 rule is a principle that says if the parties were married for 10 years, while the spouse in the military served for 10 years, and if those years were “qualified service,” then the non-military spouse is eligible to receive a percentage of that pension directly from the government.
Another issue in military divorces is calculating income for purposes of alimony and child support. “Pay stubs” from the military include categories such as Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Additionally, military pay fluctuates based on assignment and deployment status. Understanding how these factors affect alimony and child support calculations is essential. Records from the military are sometimes difficult to obtain and require a special subpoena not normally issued in divorce cases.
Hiring a divorce lawyer who know the ins and outs of military divorces is essential to getting the best result. At Held Law Firm, we have extensive experience with the issues that come up in military divorces. Call us for a case assessment today to learn about your options.
