Transitional Compensation & Benefits

Under 10 U.S. Code §1059, a spouse or dependent child (under 18, or under 23 if in college) is entitled to receive transitional compensation and benefits if the servicemember is discharged for abuse (i.e. domestic violence or sexual assault) against the spouse or child.

Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), Tricare will provide a divorced civilian spouse with 36 months of health insurance. They call it the Continued Health Care Benefit Program. At $933 per quarter for individuals, and $1996 for families, the program is far from free, and certainly not the bargain Tricare is.  However, if the civilian spouse has a preexisting medical condition, it could be worthwhile.

A former spouse who was married to the servicemember for at least 20 years qualifies for military benefits after the dissolution, under the conditions listed below.

Upon obtaining a Colorado dissolution, the former spouse of a servicemember has a right to receive military benefits so long as he/she meets the criteria. As the benefits are statutory entitlements, they are automatic and not subject to negotiation or deviation by a divorce court in Colorado or other states.

Children and stepchildren of servicemembers retain full military benefits while unmarried and under 22.