attorney who specializes in military divorce in san diego

by Elissa Thompson 8 min read

San Diego, CA Military Divorce Law Firms

  • Harris J. Brumer, APC. Certified Family Law Specialist, Family Law Attorney Divorce, Legal separation, Child custody and...
  • Susan L. Rapp.
  • Leigh A. Kretzschmar Attorney at Law, P.C.. Leigh A. Kretzschmar Attorney at Law, P.C.
  • Randall A. Dierlam Attorney at Law.
  • Jeanne W. Murray, Attorney at Borton Petrini.

Full Answer

How do I file for divorce in the military in California?

If you are divorcing a military member who has been stationed in California for at least 6 months, you can qualify to file for divorce in California. However, if neither spouse meets the residency requirements, you'll need to wait to file your case, or file in whatever state at least one of you has residency.Mar 29, 2022

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in San Diego?

You can expect anywhere between $250-$500 per hour for most attorneys in the San Diego area. Divorce attorneys will most likely require a retainer payment that is held in the attorney's trust account to secure payment of their fees as they are earned.Aug 7, 2018

What happens if I divorce my husband in the military?

The SCRA allows active-duty service members to request a “stay” (that is, to delay the proceedings) a divorce or other claims (such as spousal support, custody, child support, property division, and military division) if their duties prevent them from participating in or responding to the court action.

How does the military deal with divorce?

Laws allow service members and their spouses to file for divorce in either the state where the service member is currently stationed, the state where they claim legal residency or the state in which the nonmilitary spouse resides.Dec 7, 2021

How much does it cost to file for divorce in San Diego?

$435
The cost to file your divorce petition or respond is $435. Additional filing fees vary between $20-60, and it just depends on the particular circumstances of your case if these will apply.Mar 21, 2016

How much does divorce cost near San Diego CA?

The typical range is anywhere between $5,500 and $38,000. Also, because of the additional issues involved, divorces involving minor children are generally more expensive. Why such a large variation? There are many factors that can make a divorce more or less expensive.

How do I get half of my ex husband's military retirement?

The USFSPA does not guarantee that a former spouse will receive a portion of your military pension. Instead, it simply treats the pension as property for the purpose of dividing assets during a divorce and authorizes state courts to divide the pension just as it would any other asset.Jul 7, 2021

Will I lose my TRICARE if I divorce?

You remain eligible for TRICARE only if you meet certain criteria. Your sponsor's military Service Component is responsible for determining your continuing eligibility. If you and your sponsor are separated or living apart, but not divorced, you keep TRICARE benefits.

Does my ex wife get half my military retirement?

The maximum amount of pension income an ex-spouse can receive is 50% of the military retirement pay. Once the order is filed with DFAS, it will take three months (90 days) for the direct payments to begin if the ex-spouse is already receiving their pension.

Can ex wife claim my pension years after divorce in California?

Generally, no. As with other divided property, the ex-spouse's share of the pension remains his/her property. The pension is payable to an ex-spouse for as long as your pension is being paid to you or your qualified survivor.

Does a military spouse keep benefits after divorce?

After divorce, the former spouse is entitled to the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), which is the Tricare version of “COBRA” for three years. And as long as the spouse remains unmarried and was also awarded a share of the military retirement or SBP, the former spouse may remain on CHCBP for life.

How much of my pension does my ex wife get?

A general rule of thumb when it comes to splitting pensions in divorce is that a spouse will receive half of what was earned during the marriage, though it depends on each state's laws governing this subject.Jan 12, 2022

What is FindLaw for military divorce?

Use FindLaw to hire a local military divorce lawyer to work with you on issues like community property division, debt allocation, military retirement plan divisions, military benefit divisions, child custody and support, alimony, and tax considerations.

What is a detailed profile of a law firm?

Detailed law firm profiles have information like the firm's area of law, office location, office hours, and payment options. Attorney profiles include the biography, education and training, and client recommendations of an attorney to help you decide who to hire.

What is FindLaw for military divorce?

Use FindLaw to hire a local military divorce lawyer to work with you on issues like community property division, debt allocation, military retirement plan divisions, military benefit divisions, child custody and support, alimony, and tax considerations.

What is a detailed profile of a law firm?

Detailed law firm profiles have information like the firm's area of law, office location, office hours, and payment options. Attorney profiles include the biography, education and training, and client recommendations of an attorney to help you decide who to hire.

Who is Contreras Law?

At Contreras Law, you'll find the support and guidance you need for all of your San Diego business litigation, family law and bankruptcy needs from attorneys who care.

What is Antonyan Miranda's mission?

Our mission at Antonyan Miranda is to aggressively preserve what can be preserved, protect what can be protected, and help secure all that is important to you; family, finances, ... Read More and assets.

What is the military attorney discount?

The discount gives 10 percent off attorney’s fees to people on active duty in any branch of the military. Veterans who have received honorable or general discharges and dependents of active duty military are eligible for a 5 percent discount.

How long can you delay legal proceedings in the military?

They can also request a delay of 60 days after their enlistment is concluded.

How is child support determined in the military?

Military Child Support. Child support is determined by state law and typically based on the total entitlements of the service member, which includes base pay, basic allowance for housing, basic allowance for subsistence, and any special pays. Once this amount is set by the court, only the court can change it.

Where does a divorce take place?

The law generally allows the filing of a divorce to take place in the state where the husband or wife has a legal residence. Because of this, the person initiating the divorce will typically file in the state where he or she lives when it is the legal residence of one or both parties. This is hardly unique to military divorce.

Can a military pension be divided in divorce?

What is unique, however, is how the state handles the division of military pensions. According to federal law, the state of the legal residence of the military member always has the power to divide the military pension in a divorce. Therefore, if the non-military spouse files for divorce in a state that is his or her legal residence ...

Is there a military divorce in San Diego?

Taking the Worry Out of Military Divorce in San Diego. Most people going through a military divorce have no idea what may happen. They worry about the legal system, and their pre-conceived notions are not always correct.

Can a non-military spouse divide a pension?

Therefore, if the non-military spouse files for divorce in a state that is his or her legal residence and not the legal residence of the spouse, the court might not have the authority to divide the pension.

Grounds for Military Divorce

If you seek the help of a San Diego military divorce lawyer, our lawyers at Scott Family Law will make sure your bases are covered with regard to your divorce proceedings. Some of the required grounds for filing for a military divorce are listed below:

Understanding San Diego Military Divorce

Everyone understands and appreciates the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces. Our soldiers ask almost nothing for themselves and give everything for our country, and they deserve all of the notice they receive for the courageous work that they do.

Military Divorce – A Brief Introduction

In general terms, when a member of the military decides to pursue a divorce, he or she will face largely the same procedural steps as those who become involved in a civilian divorce. However, military divorces are becoming more prevalent in recent years as the rate with regards to these cases has risen.

Examples of Protections for Deployed Soldiers

When a soldier is deployed overseas, he or she obviously cannot be distracted by a divorce case. In addition, he or she faces obvious disadvantages given the logistics involved and that person’s inability to build a case that will protect his or her legal rights.

How a San Diego Military Divorce Attorney at Scott Family Law Can Help

If you or someone you love is a member of the military who is facing a divorce or some other family law issue, you need to seek the help of San Diego military divorce attorneys who have been fighting for the rights of our valuable service members for many years.

What are the benefits of a military divorce?

All US service members and their spouses have access to a number of important benefits, including healthcare, pensions, and more. These benefits won't normally immediately end after a military divorce.

How long do you have to be a resident of California to file for divorce?

You must have been a resident of California for at least 6 months and of the county where you file for at least 3 months, and the petition for divorce (for "dissolution of marriage" officially) is to be filed in the local Superior Court in your county.

How long does a spouse have to be in the military to receive benefits?

If the marriage lasted 20 years or longer, if one spouse was in the military for 20 or more years, and if both of these things were true at the same time for 20 or more years, benefits will accrue to the former spouse of a military member.

Do you have to be in state to file for divorce?

There is not requirement that a spouse being filed against for divorce be in-state at the time you file, but he/she does have to be notified, wherever he/she may be stationed.

Can you get divorce papers served in person?

You can have the papers served in person or through the mail and get a "receipt" for the record and for evidence, if necessary, later on.

Can a spouse serve papers in person?

But if your spouse lives in-country but ON-BASE, you have to use a sheriff or a "process server" to serve the papers in-person. This may require special coordination with your spouse's superior officer on-base, and so, you or your lawyer may need to call the base and arrange things "properly" through all the right channels.

Do military divorces need special grounds?

As with other California divorces, military divorces do not need any special grounds or fault to be filed - so long as one spouse says he/she has "irreconcilable differences that cannot be resolved" with the other spouse.

Is child support a military pay?

Child Support - The child support for a military member can constitute a large portion of the military pay. Child support is designed to benefit the child not the custodial parent. Therefore, child support should not be disguised as form of maintenance.

Is military retirement the largest asset in divorce?

Military Retirement - The military retirement benefit is often the largest asset of a divorce. Any division of the military retirement depends on a great deal of factors including other assets of the marriage, the date of separation. Contrary to common perception, the military spouse is not automatically entitled to any portion of the military retirement regardless of the duration of the marriage.

Can a military member be rated for disability?

Military Disability - Military service members are often rated for a medical disability before they leave the military. As time passes, the disability rating for military member often increases. Because the disability portion of the retirement cannot directly be divided by the military, the disability can have a profound effect on the payments, if any, made to the spouse after the divorce.

What is the military divorce law in San Diego?

In San Diego military divorces, there are many factors that contribute to evaluating and dividing up property, military benefits and retired pay, some of which are determined by the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA). It is important that you work with an experienced San Diego family law attorney who understands how military ...

What is an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce – one where you and your spouse have agreed on the issues posed by the breakup of your marriage— is likely to be finalized sooner than dissolution proceeding with unresolved property and custody issues. How well both parties can work together to come to an agreement will significantly impact how quickly your divorce can be finalized

Who is Sarah Schaffer?

Our San Diego family law firm was founded by Sarah Schaffer, a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserves who spent five years on active duty serving as a logistics officer in Okinawa, Japan, and Quantico, Virginia.

Can you get a stay of proceedings for divorce?

Through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, we can work to obtain a “stay of proceedings,” which can stop a divorce proceeding until you have returned to the states if you are deployed. If you would like your divorce to proceed while you are overseas, we can also handle appearances on your behalf.