The Military Divorce Guide was created by Carl O. Graham, a Colorado Springs divorce lawyer and former Army JAG officer who focuses exclusively on Colorado divorce, military divorce issues, child support, grandparent rights & visitation, common law marriage, child custody, legal separation, annulment, etc. To learn more about our Colorado Springs family law firm, visit our web site at: www.carlgraham.com.
Welcome to the Military Divorce Guide, a comprehensive collection of articles on military divorce and family law issues. Most of the information applies nationwide, but where state-specific information is provided, Colorado military divorce law is used.
Divorce or paternity actions involving military personnel or family members present unique challenges which often require the assistance of a Colorado Springs military family law attorney with specialized Colorado military divorce knowledge: military retirement vs. VA disability, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), ID cards and access to military installations, government housing, temporary family support, relocating the children out of Colorado, interpreting military pay, the impacts of a court-martial, chapter separation or VSI/SSB on the division of military retirement pay, etc. To avoid pitfalls, make sure your Colorado Springs divorce lawyer knows not only Colorado divorce laws, but how the military works.
Division of Military Retirement. Explanation of the military retirement system, as well as how Colorado divorce courts divide military retirements upon obtaining a Colorado divorce, legal separation or annulment.
VA Disability & VA Waiver. Upon retirement, a servicemember may receive VA Disability benefits. In many cases, they reduce the military retirement a Colorado family law court can divide dollar for dollar.
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). Upon dividing a military retirement, courts may order the servicemember to insure the ex-spouse's share with SBP.
Military Pay & "Gross Income". Courts in Colorado divorce and paternity cases treat virtually all military allowances, including the tax-free ones, as income when calculating support and maintenance.
Military Family Support. Until a Colorado divorce court steps in, each branch of the armed forces has its own standards requiring servicemembers to support family members during separation.
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Offers some protection for servicemembers in civil proceedings, including divorce, paternity, or other family law cases. (Known until recently as the SSCRA, or Soldiers' & Sailors' Civil Relief Act).
Former Spouse Military Benefits. An ex-spouse may retain some military benefits after a divorce in Colorado Springs or elsewhere.
Reserve Family Law Issues. Currently has information on the division of reserve retired pay, with more information to come.
Colorado Divorce & Family Law Guide. Colorado divorce and paternity laws explained! A comprehensive collection of articles on all aspects of Colorado family law, including Colorado divorce, legal separation, annulment, paternity, grandparent rights, child custody, child support, alimony, prenuptial agreements, etc.
This web site is an advertisement intended for informational purposes, and is not a substitute for individual legal advice from one of the many Colorado Springs law firms, Colorado Springs lawyers or Colorado Springs attorneys. Only a signed agreement with this Colorado Springs family law attorney can create a Colorado lawyer-client relationship. We assist clients in Colorado Springs / El Paso County courts, exclusively in Colorado family law (Colorado divorce, military divorce issues, child support law, grandparent visitation & rights, common law marriage, child custody law, legal separation law, annulment, alimony law, etc).
