What are the specific laws surrounding military divorce?

In Washington, military divorces are handled differently than civilian divorces. The military divorce laws aim to address the unique challenges of a service member’s lifestyle and commitments. They are intended to provide fair and equitable outcomes for both parties. The state of Washington requires service members to be physically present in the state for at least 90 days before filing for divorce. The 90-day period begins on the day the service member is released from active duty and begins their residence in the state. When filing for a military divorce, the service member must provide their military service record, which includes copies of orders and any documents related to their current status. This information can be found on the Defense Manpower Data Center website. The service member must also provide the court with a family care plan, which is a detailed plan outlining the care and custody arrangements for any minor children of the couple. The family care plan must be approved by the commanding officer before it is accepted by the court. Additionally, the court can divide military retirement benefits between the service member and their spouse in the event of a divorce. This can be determined through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). The QDRO must be approved by the Department of Defense before it can be enforced by the court. Overall, the laws surrounding military divorce in Washington aim to provide a fair and equitable outcome for both parties involved, while taking into consideration the unique circumstances of the service member’s lifestyle.

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What are the specific laws surrounding military divorce?

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