The military has distinct laws that may affect your family law case. For example, how a military officer is paid can affect child support and alimony. Your divorce may be put on hold when the spouse in the military is called into combat. You may even have to resolve your case while you or your spouse is overseas.
Don't rely on just any attorney to get the job done right.
Let A Former JAG Officer Help You Through Your Military Divorce
Turn to The Vaughan Law Firm to speak with a former JAG officer with more than 35 years of legal experience. At our law firm, we understand the unique challenges that military members in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard face when going through a divorce and dealing with issues involving their children and regarding property division.
Overseas? Time zone differences? No problem. We are available to talk to you at all times of the day and on weekends. We have even resolved cases for clients who were overseas during their entire divorce proceedings.
Child Custody And Visitation Rights
Determining child custody and visitation during a military divorce can be difficult. A "permanent" parenting plan may seem daunting when your time with your child is likely to change. If you are away on active duty, you will obviously have less time with your children. However, that can change as soon as you get back to the U.S.
Our divorce lawyers will assess your situation to determine what is in the best interests of your children and use that information to help develop a parenting plan that takes into account your spouse's or your military status. When circumstances change, we will act quickly to bring a motion to modify your parenting plan.
Is your spouse unfit to take care of the children, even while you are away? We have been able to transfer custody to military personnel because of the other parent's unfitness.
Child Support And Alimony
Determining child support or alimony is different when one or both of the divorcing spouses is a military member. For example, there are per diems and other forms of extra pay that do not show up on a tax return but must be factored into support orders. We can help ensure that your child support and alimony orders are legally accurate while supporting your interests during negotiations and trial.
Soldiers' And Sailors' Civil Relief Act
Under the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act (SSCRA), reservists called to active duty have a right to put civil court actions on hold, including divorce proceedings. This is a right, not an obligation. If you are a service member and you would like to put a hold on your divorce, we can help you contact the appropriate installation's legal office. However, if you would prefer to wrap up your divorce while you are on duty, we can continue to represent you while you are on duty, even if you are overseas.
Divorce After Retirement From The Military
Military retirement pensions can be extremely valuable assets. We help former service members and their spouses divide their property under state and federal laws, including dividing military retirement pensions under the federal Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA).
Contact Our Military Divorce Lawyer In Knoxville, Tennessee
Call our Knoxville law offices at 865-531-3500 locally. You can also contact us online.