Military Divorce and Active Duty Military Service Members
According to The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense more than 56% of active duty military service members are married. Regardless of the demographic, divorce is a significant fact where marriage is a consideration. In 2018, Military.com published statistics stating that the overall divorce rate among military service members fell in the range of 3 to 3.1 percent. Overall, that equaled about 21, 290 service members who divorced in 2017.
In Kitsap County our military community ranges from 13,000 to 18,000 active duty service members, plus more than a thousand reservists, an estimated 7,000-10,000 of whom are married. Each year, hundreds of our local military service members are involved in divorce matters.
Experienced Military Divorce Lawyers including a Retired JAG Attorney
At Compass Legal Services, our staff has significant ties to the military community. We are children and spouses of current or retired military service members. Additionally, Associate Attorney Eric McDonald is a Retired Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) of the United States Navy and Former JAG Corps attorney. We understand on a very personal level both the opportunities and hardships military service members and their families face. As such, we place special emphasis on providing legal support to military service members and families involved in military divorce matters.
Common Concerns in Military Divorce Matters
Divorce and Retired Military Service Members and Spouses
Retired military service members receiving federal benefits including medical insurance and base access share those benefits with legally married spouses and dependent children. When retired service members divorce, many factors are considered as to how retirement benefits including military pensions may be required to be split with their spouse. The courts and the federal government consider the length of the service members military service and the length of time the service member was married to the spouse during their military service when considering the split of assets and assignment of benefits following a divorce.
When to call a Divorce Attorney
Waiting to reach out for help is always a bad idea, especially if you have been served with court documents that carry a deadline for a response or if a hearing is already scheduled. If you think you need legal advice or don’t feel comfortable managing your case or going to court on your own, don’t wait until a week or a couple of days before a hearing or a deadline to reach out as most firms do not have walk-in availability. Our attorneys can provide you with specific guidance and support to help you address your legal matter with confidence.
To schedule a legal consultation, call our office at 360.471.3300.
State, Local and Military Legal Resources
Additional Aspects of Family Law
Divorce and Legal Separation
Divorce and Legal Separation are complex legal matters included in Family Law practice. We address these matters in detail on our Divorce and Legal Separation page.
Military Family Law
At Compass Legal Services, P.S. we have tremendous respect for the service military personnel provide our country. Our staff includes a retired Naval Officer and former JAG Corps attorney and is our great honor to provide military family law services for our local military community and service members stationed outside of Kitsap County with family law matters under the jurisdiction of the Kitsap County Superior Court. For more information about Military Family Law at Compass Legal Services, P.S. please visit our Military Family Law page.
Contacting Compass Legal Services, P.S.
If you are ready to discuss your legal matter with one of our Kitsap County Family Law Attorneys we invite you to call our office at 360.471.3300 to schedule a legal consultation. We strongly encourage anyone involved in or considering action regarding a Family Law matter to be proactive and reach out for help and guidance, if needed, as early as possible.
Military Divorce & Family Law Blogs
For more information about specific topics related to Military Divorce check out the articles below or visit our full blog.