Military Family Law in Kitsap County, WA
If you’re in the armed forces and you’re going through a divorce, reach out to an attorney that specializes in military family law in Kitsap County, Washington.
Some things never change, no matter what your walk of life. Whether you’re in the military or you’re just a civilian, you have to provide for your children. And, if you’re divorced, you may have to pay child support. Child support and child custody are just as important in military life as they are in civilian life, but there are a few differences to keep in mind while you negotiate the terms of your divorce.
And one of the biggest differences when it comes to military divorce? Deployment, reassignment, and constantly being moved around. Joint custody is much easier if both parents are living in the same town – a rare luxury for armed service members. Instead, a military parent might be the supporting parent in a lopsided child support arrangement.
Child Custody and Military Parents
If joint custody is impossible, the only option left is to reach an agreement about child support. In these cases, there are two different parties to keep in mind: the receiving parent, and the supporting parent. A receiving parent is responsible for raising the child (or children). They’ll have to provide shelter, food, clothing – and they’ll have to take the kids to school and doctor’s appointments, too. The supporting parent is instead responsible for contributing financial support (child support) and will have visitation rights, to be determined by the divorce proceedings.
If you’re in the military and you’re going through a divorce, you’ll have to pay child support even as the divorce proceedings are unfolding. This is called interim child support, and once the divorce is finalized, you’re definitely not out of the woods. You’ll have to make regular payments to your ex-spouse until your youngest child turns eighteen – or nineteen if they haven’t graduated high school yet. Hopefully you’ve read up on military family law in Kitsap County, WA.
Paying Child Support if You’re in the Military
You may think you can get out of paying child support if you’re on the other side of the world, but that’s sadly not the case. In fact, your commanding officer may even punish you for failing to provide for your child or children. If your ex-spouse is the receiving parent and he or she provides evidence that you have been failing to make your child support payments (and evidence that there was a child support arrangement in the first place) your CO can punish you by assigning extra duty, reducing your pay, or even reducing your rank. Your CO can’t, however, force you to pay up.
If you still fail to pay your child support, your ex-spouse will find a way to get your money through legal means. Contrary to popular belief, your wages aren’t secure if you’re in the military. While ordinarily, military wages are exempt from garnishment – the act of taking money from paychecks to collect on debts – the rule doesn’t apply to child support payments. Your ex, through legal means, can actually collect his or her child support money out of your paychecks before you even see a cent. And it happens all the time.
3 Questions To Ask Your Military Family Lawyer
If you are in the United States military, seemingly simple steps like getting married or having children can be extra complicated. Just a few examples of complications include employment, marrying a foreigner, or having your child in another country. Know that there are attorneys in military family law in Kitsap County, WA, who can help you through your military family law questions.
Included here are a few questions to ask your lawyer. Know that an attorney from Robinson & Hadeed Law Firm can answer any more specific questions you may have about your unique situation.
How Do I Start the Marriage Process?
If you and your future spouse are two U.S. citizens seeking marriage in the United States, the process is the same as if you were a civilian couple. You have to obtain a marriage license in the state you are getting married in.
If you are marrying someone who is of a different nationality, the process can be a little more complex. You need to make sure that you are filling out the proper forms. This ensures the marriage is legal in both your country and your spouses.
Will My Child Be a United States Citizen?
Having a child is a joyous occasion. However, as a member of the military, you may find yourself having your child in another country. You may wonder if your child will be a United States citizen.
If both parents are U.S. citizens, your child will be granted citizenship as well. You will need to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad at the nearest U.S. consulate after your child’s birth.
If you have a child with someone from another country, the answer is not as straightforward. A lawyer in military family law in Kitsap County, WA, can help you figure out the answer to your situation.
How Does a Divorce Work?
You may not intend for your marriage to end in divorce. However, knowing what the divorce process is like for military members can help you prepare. It can be more complicated than a regular divorce.
Some factors that can complicate things include the nationality of your spouse, and if there are children involved. Military child custody agreements can be different. Military child visitation and child support can also be difficult to navigate.
An attorney from Robinson & Hadeed Family Law can explain all of these situations to you. They can help you be prepared should it arrive.
Common Military Family Cases
Marriage and Divorce
If you’re a U.S. citizen marrying another U.S. citizen, the same marital procedures apply to you as any other couple: all you need is a marriage license and a witness. If one of you is not a U.S. citizen or you seek to be married in another country, you may need legal support to ensure that your marriage is legal by that country’s standards. When it comes to filing for divorce in the military, it’s important to consult with your military family law in Kitsap County, WA, especially if you’re divorcing in a different location than where you were married.
Child Support
Handling a child support case can be difficult, but the professionals at Robinson & Hadeed Family Law are here to help. Child support laws are more strict for active duty parents, as they are expected to financially support their children regardless of their marital status or whether or not they have custody of the children. A professional of military family Law in Kitsap County, WA, can inform you of your rights, help you determine the appropriate payment amounts and avoid the consequences that come with failure to support dependents while serving in the armed forces.
Child Custody
Like child support, child custody can be a slippery slope to navigate while you’re active duty. Military families have to consider changes in deployment and relocation, which are affected by child relocation laws; it can also be difficult for active duty parents to receive partial or full custody of their children even if it’s in the child’s best interest, as active deployment and frequent relocation can cause people to see military service members as unsuitable caretakers. The fact of the matter is that Robinson & Hadeed Family Law can help you learn your rights and ensure that your children end up in the best possible situation for their well being.
Childcare
Per the Military Child Care Act of 1989, active duty parents have a right to affordable, safe healthcare for their dependents while serving. Your lawyer can help you understand military family law in Kitsap County, WA, and give you a clear guide on your government-issued options for childcare and any alternatives you may seek.
Children Born Abroad
If you have a child that is born abroad while you and your family are in another country, there are several laws, regulations and documents you’ll need to be informed of to avoid citizenship issues and potential legal and custodial issues that could arise in the process. A professional of military law in Kitsap County, WA, can help you ensure that you and your family have all your bases covered.
Contact Robinson & Hadeed Today
If you’re in the military, you have plenty on your plate to deal with already. If you’re suddenly thrown into divorce proceedings unprepared, a demanding and vindictive ex-spouse can make your life a living hell, and might take as much money as possible from you. Instead of being at his or her mercy, reach out to Robinson & Hadeed, and let a qualified attorney who specializes in military family law in Kitsap County, WA take steps to protect your future.
