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When dissolving your marriage, you should note that special laws and rules apply to spouses in military divorces. An experienced divorce attorney with a military focus, Donna C. Crooks Attorney At Law, in Daleville, AL, explains what you need to know when filing for a military divorce.

Military divorces take place in Alabama’s state courts. However, legal rights of service members are protected under federal laws including the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. This act covers members of the regular armed forces and reserves, Coast Guard, National Guard, Public Health, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration when they are serving on active duty. Service members must apply for a stay of proceedings and have their commanding officers provide specific information for the court to grant a stay of 90 days or more.

Military Divorces

The Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act also impacts divorcing military spouses, determining how military retirement pay is divided between service members and former spouses. It also establishes whether spouses continue to receive medical and installation exchange benefits, and commissary access. Divorced service members must provide a copy of their divorce decree and update their information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Once the update occurs, former spouses lose their TRICARE health care benefits, unless they qualify under the 20/20/20 or 20/20/15 rules.

Dividing retirement pay, providing spousal and child support, and child custody are often contested issues in military divorces. In these cases, the military recommends spouses hire civilian lawyers with substantial experience with military divorce law. Donna C. Crooks Attorney At Law has more than 20 years of experience as a military-focused divorce attorney. By applying her deep knowledge and skills, she has achieved successful outcomes for her clients in even the most complex cases.

If you are considering or are involved in a military divorce, contact Donna C. Crooks Attorney At Law, in Daleville, AL, for help. Call (334) 598-9534 to schedule an appointment, and visit her website for more information.

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