Universal City, TX Military Divorce Attorneys

Skilled Lawyers Handling Military Divorces in Universal City

When one or both spouses in a marriage belong to the military, a divorce can be complicated. Questions may arise about the division of military benefits, the timing of the divorce, and how child custody will be divided. With the help of a Universal City, TX military divorce lawyer, you can navigate these issues with clear legal guidance.

At Brandon Wong & Associates, we represent both military spouses and civilian spouses of servicemembers. We have deep respect for the people who have offered their service for our country, and you can trust us to provide you with strategic counsel and advocacy in your divorce.

Filing for Divorce While on Active Duty

Service members face unique challenges when initiating a divorce. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) offers crucial protections by pausing proceedings for up to 90 days upon request, ensuring that active-duty obligations do not impair a fair outcome.

An attorney can file a motion to stay proceedings and secure these benefits. Our firm guides military spouses through the process of notifying the court as well as preparing the stay request. By managing deadlines, we help clients avoid default judgments that could arise from deployment or training schedules. Legal counsel makes certain that the service member's rights are safeguarded while ensuring that the civilian spouse's interests remain protected.

Are Retirement Benefits Subject to Division in Texas?

Retirement pay often constitutes the largest marital asset in military divorces. Under Texas community property law, any retirement benefits earned during the marriage may be subject to division. The "10/10 rule" set forth by the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act provides a clear threshold, maintaining that if a spouse has at least 10 years of marriage overlapping 10 years of service, the former spouse may directly receive retired pay in lieu of drawing from the service member's account.

Our firm can help you distinguish between military retirement pay earned before and during the marriage, clarifying how much of those benefits may be subject to division. We will work toward an appropriate settlement or verdict on your behalf, working toward a mutually agreeable outcome, or, if the case goes to trial, a just and right division.

How Military Service Can Affect Child Custody Decisions

Military obligations can require sudden relocations, extended deployments, or training that interrupt parenting schedules. Balancing your parental rights with your obligations to the military can be extremely difficult. Our firm can compile evidence of your participation in school events, healthcare decisions, and daily routines to demonstrate commitment despite service demands. Texas courts prioritize the child's best interests by examining stability, emotional bonds, and each parent's capacity to meet the child's developmental needs.

The courts can grant temporary modifications of possession orders to accommodate deployments or mobilizations. A judge will only approve a temporary modification if the deployment materially affects a parent's ability to exercise their rights as a conservator.

Our firm assists in drafting flexible parenting plans that include deployment clauses, specifying alternative visitation during active duty. We can prepare motions for temporary orders and stand up for your parental rights in mediation or trial. By advocating for clear language and contingency arrangements, we can assist military parents in maintaining meaningful relationships with their children while honoring the demands of service.

Contact a Universal City, Texas Military Divorce Lawyer

If you need help navigating the intricacies of a military divorce, turn to Brandon Wong & Associates for help. We are deeply familiar with the unique procedures involved in these cases, and we are ready to sit down with you to discuss the details of your case. Call us at 210-201-3832 or contact our Universal City, TX military divorce attorneys to schedule a consultation.