All couples face challenges in their relationships. Few face more than military service members and their spouses. From deployments to frequent relocations to high-stress work, military families are often under strain — and this can increase the chances of a marriage coming to an end.
At Contreras Law Firm, our military divorce lawyers represent San Diego service members and their spouses in all aspects of a military divorce. We understand the complexities involved in military divorces and we represent both servicemembers and their spouses in resolving these issues in the best way possible so all parties can move forward with well-deserved financial security and strong relationships with their children.
To find out more about how a San Diego military divorce attorney can help you, give us a call at 619-238-0616 today to schedule your free consultation.
Why Contreras Law Firm is Where You Should Turn for Military Divorce
If you, your spouse, or both of you are in the military, you need an experienced San Diego military divorce lawyer to represent you throughout the process. You can’t turn to just any firm because not every San Diego family law attorney is experienced in handling divorces involving individuals from the armed forces.
Contreras Law Firm has spent decades representing those who are serving their country, and their spouses who serve in their own way. We know the complexities raised in these cases and are uniquely suited to help you overcome them to get the best outcomes possible. Some of the reasons to turn to Contreras Law Firm include:
- Our decades of collective experience handling military divorces.
- Our knowledge of laws governing military divorce, including rules for the division of military pensions.
- Our understanding of how residency rules and service of process rules apply in military divorces where couples frequently relocate or a spouse may be deployed
- Our creative approach to addressing issues raised by military divorce, such as child custody arrangements when one spouse must relocate due to military orders
- Our strong track record of helping couples resolve issues outside of court to keep divorce costs down
In every case, we look at the factors that make your marriage, divorce, and family unique — and this is especially true for military families. Our big-picture approach leads to better outcomes, more amicable divorces when possible, and fair divorce settlements with a minimum of stress and drama.Â
Of course, we also aren’t afraid to fight for your rights in court or out of court to get you the financial security and time with your children that you need moving forward.
How Can a San Diego Military Divorce Attorney Help You?
A San Diego military divorce attorney at Contreras Law Firm can provide the representation you need as you navigate the complexities of a military divorce. Some of the services our firm can provide include:
- Helping you to determine where to file for divorce based on which state has jurisdiction
- Assisting you in filing for divorce in accordance with the rules, especially if a military spouse is deployed
- Working with you to understand how to create custody arrangements if one parent must relocate for military service
- Helping you to determine a fair division of property, including a military pension
- Working to negotiate the terms of your divorce outside of court to keep costs down and maximize your financial stability once the marriage is over
- Representing yo in court if you must litigate on issues in your military divorce
We understand that living in the military is a way of life and that many things change after a divorce, including housing and benefits. We take all of these factors into account as we help you to get the best outcome possible when your marriage is dissolved.
Helping The Many Military Installments In San Diego
With the number of military installments stationed in San Diego, it’s not a coincidence that the number of couples going through military separations or divorce in San Diego communities is high. We provide guidance and support to military families from:
- The Naval Base in San Diego
- The Naval Base Point in Loma
- The Naval Base in Coronado
- The Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego
- The Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar
- The Marine Corps Base Camp in Pendleton
- The San Diego U.S. Coast Guard Sector
If you or your spouse serve in the military and are stationed in California and you are contemplating a separation or divorce, we can help. Our military divorce lawyers provide legal guidance and support that is founded in an intricate understanding of the nuances of military divorce laws in California. Likewise, our extensive experience with helping other military families negotiate the complexities of military divorce will help us protect your rights and best interests.
The Unique Struggles Of Military Couples In Marriage And Divorce
Military service members throughout California face innumerable struggles in their relationships. The nature of their work, the challenges of being apart during deployment and other issues associated with military life are unlike anything a civilian married couple has ever experienced.
Similarly, when a marriage involving a military service member comes to an end, there are unique issues that need to be addressed. While things like child support, child custody and division of property still need to be resolved as they would in a civilian divorce, the processes involved are completely different. Having a military divorce lawyer who understands these unique processes can help to ensure that your interests are protected.
What Makes Divorce Different For Military Members And Spouses?
The entire divorce process is different for those in the military. Often, soldiers are stationed at bases far away from their homes or deployed in foreign countries. This can make it much more challenging for those couples who seek to end their marriage. The most common obstacles that arise during a military divorce include:
- Finding the right place to file for divorce: Specific residency requirements may need to be met before a person can file for divorce in a certain state.
- Getting the case started: There are federal laws which have special protections in place for military members that you need to know about before filing or responding to a divorce request.
- Coming to a workable child custody agreement: Those stationed in states far away from their kids are still entitled to time with their children, and it can be difficult for the sides to come to an agreement in the best interests of the children.
- Dividing the military pension: This is a very valuable asset that can cause serious issues during the discussion of the divorce, and couples need to be very careful about entering into any agreements about their retirement assets before they have received legal advice.
Dealing with these issues is not easy even in the best of circumstances. Our divorce lawyers will explain the laws that apply to your case, and then work with you to develop the specific approach that you wish to take in your military divorce.
Military Divorce Attorneys Answering Your Questions About Divorce And The Military
At Contreras Law Firm, our family law attorneys have helped many military families in the San Diego area resolve their child custody, child support and division of property issues in legal separations or divorce. Here, they answer some of the questions that they are most commonly asked. For answers to your specific questions, we invite you to schedule a confidential and free initial consultation.
My spouse is deployed in a foreign country. Can I still file for divorce?
Yes. You can still move forward with ending your marriage, in most cases. To understand what you can and cannot do at this time, you should talk to us about what is happening in your case. We can provide you with detailed information regarding the process and what you need to do in order to get things moving.
Will my wife get half of my military pension?
This is where things start to get complicated. We need to review your situation to learn more about your case to provide you with any real answer here. Specific factors – such as where you were stationed, the place you claimed as an official residence, as well as the starting and potential ending point of your marriage will all be important items to examine to determine what may happen with the division of your retirement assets and your marital property.
Will my nonmilitary spouse still receive benefits after our divorce?
The answer to this question will depend upon your situation. There are federal laws that cover this issue, and benefits may be provided to spouses who have been married for a significant period of time. Certain requirements must be met before those benefits will be awarded, and we would be happy to discuss what would apply to your specific situation.
Why You Need An Experienced Military Divorce Attorney On Your Side
When you or your spouse is in the military, the process of obtaining a divorce is much more complicated than it is for civilians. There are many more complex issues that require careful analysis of the particular laws that apply to your situation.
Handling your military divorce without an attorney could mean that certain requirements are not followed properly. This could potentially lead to agreements that lack the comprehensiveness needed in your case. Our legal team will make sure to treat your case with compassion, to allow you to focus on taking care of your family.
Consult A San Diego Military Divorce Lawyer For Free
Military divorces require a deeper knowledge of family law in California as well as federal law in order to accurately serve a military spouse with a divorce. Contact our San Diego office today by calling us at (619) 238-0616 or sending us an email to schedule your free consultation.