How Is Military Divorce Different? An Annapolis Lawyer Knows.
Last updated on April 13, 2026
Military divorce is a very different process from civilian divorce. Since these types of cases are decided in state courts, not all family law attorneys will be capable of handling complex Army, Marine, Coast Guard, Air Force or Navy divorces. Families with a spouse in uniform contemplating divorce should seek the help of Annapolis military divorce lawyers who have vast experience and skills in these matters.
At Reinstein, Glackin & Herriott, LLC, in Annapolis, Maryland, we serve military personnel and their spouses at Joint Base Andrews, Fort Meade, Naval Surface Warfare Center (Indian Head Division), Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, United States Naval Academy, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Patuxent River Naval Air Station and Aberdeen Proving Ground. We understand the challenges of dividing military pensions and benefits and the necessity to keep divorce from affecting one’s career or security clearance.
Understanding Retirement Pay And Military Pensions
The Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA) is the federal law governing the division of military pensions. This law stipulates that only the state where the military member lives has the power to divide the military pension in a divorce. This means that if you choose the wrong state to file for divorce in, the court may not have the authority to divide the pension. You must choose your filing state with care.
Our Maryland divorce firm can answer any questions about the division of your pension and explain recent changes to military retirement plans that can affect your case’s negotiations.
About The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Typically, when one spouse informs the other of impending divorce, the other spouse must respond within a set period of days. This schedule may have to be set aside if the service member is on active duty. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) allows such individuals to slow down the proceedings for 90 days or longer.
The idea behind the law is that duty comes first, and personal matters sometimes must wait. To protect their legal rights, a service member should seek the support of a lawyer experienced in this area before filing anything with the court.
Child Support Amounts Differ For Military Members
Service members are required by law to provide adequate child support for their children. Every branch of the armed forces (except the Air Force) has its own rules on how much must be paid. However, the entry of a state court order of support supersedes these military instructions.
Reinstein, Glackin & Herriott, LLC – A Highly Regarded Firm For Military Divorce
To schedule an initial consultation with one of our dedicated Annapolis military divorce attorneys, you may reach out to our Maryland office at 301-850-7349 or send us an email instead. We are ready to listen to your story, answer your service member divorce concerns and guide you towards a better future.