Panama City, Florida Military Divorce Lawyers

 

If you or your spouse is in the military and are considering filing for divorce, or if you have been served with divorce papers, it is important that you contact a knowledgeable family lawyer to protect your rights, and assist you during what can be one of the most difficult experiences of your life.   Once the ink dries the implications can affect the rest of your life, as a divorce involves numerous issues from your home, to your children, your retirement, et cetera.    At Virga Law Offices, P.A. our experienced Panama City military divorce lawyers have represented numerous clients during divorce proceedings. Oftentimes, there is simply more to a divorce than dissolving a marriage.  The Panama City, Florida divorce lawyers at Virga Law Offices, P.A. will defend your interests and protect your rights in all areas including but not limited to:

• Child Custody
• Parenting Plans
• Visitation
• Child Support
• Division of Marital Property
• Division of Retirement Assets
• Time-Sharing
• Relocation
• Joint Business Interests
• Division of Debts
• Division of Assets
• Alimony

 

How Is Military Divorce Different From Civilian Divorce?

 

Divorce and the military require a special knowledge of laws not applicable to civilian divorces.  Military divorces are governed by a combination of federal and state law.
Military service creates unique issues when it comes to divorce because certain rules apply in military divorces that are different from civilian divorces. Among the differences are:

• Compliance with military rules and regulations
• Obtaining service upon an active duty spouse
• Domicile or residence requirements for filing
• Division of the military retirement or pension
• Governing Laws

 

Military personnel have some Congressionally legal protection from divorce proceedings not granted to public at large. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 UCS section 521, Congress has acted to protect the legal interests of servicemen and women from lawsuits including divorce proceedings to enable them "to devote their entire energy to the military needs of the nation."  In the discretion of the court, the legal proceeding may be stayed (delayed) for the time the service member is on active duty and for 60 days thereafter.

 

How Do I Determine Where The Divorce Can Take Place?

 

A military member or spouse has a choice of the following three states in which to file for a divorce:

• State where the spouse resides
• State where the military member is stationed
• State where the military member claims legal residency

 

Although either spouse may file for divorce in any of the three locations listed above, the allowable grounds for divorce and property distribution are governed by the laws of the state where the divorce action is filed.  The experienced Panama City, Florida military divorce lawyers at Virga Law Offices, P.A. can assist you in determining which state is the appropriate one for your particular circumstances.

 

What About The Retirement?

 

Oftentimes, our military clients are concerned about their financial future and well-being.  Retirement and pensions are an important part of this equation.  The Panama City, Florida military divorce lawyers at Virga Law Offices, P.A. can assist you in navigating through the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA) that governs the calculation and division of military pension benefits.  Although up to 50% of a military member's retired pay may be awarded, it is the state laws that will determine the exact division of the retired pay.

 

What About Child Support?

 

Oftentimes, child support is an important part of reaching a satisfactory divorce settlement.  Other times, the divorce has been litigated and there has been a change in circumstances warranting a review of the previously entered child support amount.  If you are experiencing a divorce, have been served with child support modification pleadings or are seeking an increase or decrease in already established child support amounts, experienced legal counsel at your side can make all the difference.   At Virga Law Offices, P.A., we have handled numerous child support issues from both sides of the table and can explain child support enforcement, modification and calculation.

 

All military members have a duty to provide support for their children, as well as their spouses, so their wages may be garnished in order to ensure the payment of proper support. Child support may not exceed 60% of a military member's pay and allowances. In all instances, both parties are responsible to provide child support to their minor children until age 18 or otherwise "emancipated" (usually, self-supporting, or until high school graduation if the child is still attending high school when he/she becomes 18).

 

How much child support is awarded has been largely established by the Florida Legislature by and through its enactment of the Florida Child Support Guidelines.  The Florida Child Support Guidelines utilize a formula in which the financial information of each party is inputted to determine the appropriate amount of child support.  It is extremely important that the numbers be accurate to reach this calculation.  The Child Support lawyers at Virga Law Offices, P.A. will review each party’s disclosures, in detail, to determine whether or not the calculations are correct.  In some cases, additional investigation into the opposing party’s finances may be necessary where it appears they have not made a full and fair disclosure of their financial situation.  Other factors that the Court may consider are day care expenses, health care expenses, education, extracurricular expenses and a variety of other expenses.

 

How Can Virga Law Offices, P.A. Help Me?

 

At Virga Law Offices, P.A. our experienced and dedicated family lawyers understand how stressful and frightening it can be to become involved with the Family Law Courts, especially if you are military.  As such, the Panama City military divorce lawyers at Virga Law Offices, P.A. will help you navigate through the system and preserve your rights.  If retained, Virga Law Offices, P.A. will prepare the pleadings, represent you at all hearings, and prepare a strategy that suits the particular needs of your case.  Contact Virga Law Offices, P.A. today for your free initial consultation so you can get back to focusing on what’s important to you.

 

The Panama City, Florida Military Divorce Lawyers at Virga Law Offices, P.A. proudly serve Northwest Florida including the following cities and counties:    Apalachicola, Blountstown, Bonifay, Chipley, Lynn Haven, Marianna, Mexico Beach, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Port St. Joe, Springfield and Tyndall Air Force Base; Bay County, Calhoun County, Franklin County ,Gulf County, Holmes County, Jackson County , and Washington County.