Military Divorce Lawyers in Houston, TX

Representing Clients in Bellaire & Sugar Land

Military divorces differ from civilian divorces due to the unique circumstances and legal considerations involved. Service members and their spouses must navigate complexities related to federal laws, military benefits, and deployments. Successfully managing these intricacies requires focused legal knowledge and experience.

At ALP Law Firm, we understand the unique challenges military families face going through a divorce in Texas. Our attorneys and team can work on your behalf to resolve your divorce with precision, compassion, and strategies tailored to your unique circumstances and needs. 

We can keep you informed and supported throughout the divorce process, whether you are stateside or deployed overseas. Our attorneys can represent your interests assertively in negotiations or court to help you seek a favorable outcome. 

Arrange for a confidential consultation with a Houston military divorce attorney at ALP Law Firm by phone at (346) 536-9842. Or submit our online contact form—Hablamos español.

Military Divorce: What Sets It Apart?

Several factors set military divorces apart from civilian divorces:

• Military benefits: Dividing military retired pay, pensions, and other benefits requires understanding specific federal regulations.
• Residency and jurisdiction: Determining the correct jurisdiction can be complex due to frequent relocations and deployments.
• Child custody and visitation: Deployments and relocations can complicate custody arrangements and visitation schedules.
• Support calculations: Guidelines for calculating child and spousal support may differ, considering additional allowances and military pay structures.

Federal Regulations Impacting Military Divorce

Federal laws play a crucial role in military divorces and can significantly impact the outcome.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA):

The SCRA offers crucial protections for deployed service members facing legal proceedings, including divorce. This act can delay proceedings; if you're actively deployed, the SCRA allows you to postpone the divorce process until your deployment ends. This ensures you have the time and focus to participate fully.

The SCRA also provides protection from default judgments. The court cannot rule against you in your absence due to deployment if you haven't been adequately notified or given a chance to respond.

The SCRA limits the interest rates creditors can charge on certain debts incurred before active duty begins. This can be helpful if you have outstanding debts impacting your financial situation during the divorce.

The SCRA provides peace of mind for service members, knowing legal matters like divorce won't be rushed through while deployed. Although spouses may experience delays in finalizing the divorce, the law ensures service members have a fair chance to participate.

Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act (USFSPA)

The USFSPA focuses on the division of military retirement benefits during a divorce. In dividing military retirement, the USFSPA allows a former spouse to receive a portion of the service member’s retirement pay through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO).

A QDRO is a court order specifying how much of the military retirement a former spouse is entitled to receive. Our law firm can assist with drafting and implementing a QDRO. 

Generally, former spouses married to the service member for at least 10 years during a period of creditable military service are eligible for a portion of the retirement benefits. Spouses gain financial security by receiving a portion of the retirement income they may have helped support during the marriage.

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)

The SBP provides continued income to former spouses after the service member's death, requiring careful planning during divorce settlements.

TRICARE

Eligibility for continued health coverage under TRICARE depends on various factors, including the length of the marriage and the service member's military service.

Jurisdiction in Military Divorces

Jurisdiction plays a critical role in military divorces due to the mobility of service members. 

Key considerations include:

• Legal residence: Determining the legal residence of the service member and/or spouse, often complicated by frequent relocations.
• Filing location: Choosing the appropriate state to file for divorce, which can affect the division of assets and support calculations.
• Long-arm jurisdiction: Understanding how long-arm jurisdiction laws apply to military personnel stationed out of state or overseas.