Military Families

Experienced Family Law Representation for Service Members & Military Spouses

Divorce and custody matters involving military families present unique legal and practical challenges. Frequent relocations, deployment schedules, jurisdictional questions, and military benefits require legal counsel familiar with both family law and military-specific statutes.

Bean, Kinney & Korman represents service members, military spouses, and military families throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C. region in divorce, custody, support, and related family law matters. We understand the demands of military service and tailor our approach to protect parental rights, financial stability, and long-term planning.

Our goal is to provide steady guidance during transitions while addressing the complexities of military life.

Military Family Law Services

Divorce Involving Active Duty Service Members

Jurisdiction and residency analysis
Coordination with deployment schedules
Application of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
Property division involving military benefits

We help ensure compliance with both family law statutes and military protections.

Division of Military Retirement & Benefits

Division of military pensions
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) considerations
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) division
Healthcare and TRICARE implications

Military retirement division requires careful drafting to preserve enforceability.

Custody & Parenting Plans During Deployment

Temporary custody modifications during deployment
Long-distance parenting plans
Communication schedules and virtual visitation
Reinstatement of custody after return

Courts are careful not to punish deploying parents for their absences while prioritizing the child’s best interests.

Relocation & Interstate Jurisdiction

Custody jurisdiction under UCCJEA
Interstate support enforcement
Military stationing and relocation petitions
Enforcement across state lines

Frequent moves require careful jurisdictional strategy.

Child & Spousal Support

Income calculation including military pay and allowances
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) considerations
Support modification following deployment or discharge
Enforcement and contempt proceedings

Military compensation structures require detailed financial analysis.

Who We Represent

Our Military Families practice serves:

Active duty service members
National Guard and Reserve members
Retired military personnel
Military spouses
Dual-military couples
Military families stationed domestically or abroad

We tailor representation to the unique demands of military service.

Legal Frameworks Affecting Military Families

Military divorce and custody cases often involve:

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA)
UCCJEA (custody jurisdiction)
UIFSA (interstate support enforcement)
Federal military retirement regulations

Understanding these frameworks is essential to protecting legal rights.

Military Family Law FAQs

Can a divorce proceed while a service member is deployed?

Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), deployed service members may request a stay of proceedings. Courts must consider deployment status before advancing litigation.

How is military retirement divided in divorce?

Military retirement benefits may be divided under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA), subject to jurisdictional requirements and court order language.

Does deployment automatically change custody?

No. Courts may implement temporary adjustments during deployment, but deployment alone does not automatically terminate parental rights.

How is military income calculated for child support?

Courts consider base pay, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), bonuses, and other forms of military compensation.