Military Divorce in San Diego: What Service Members Need to Know

Military service presents challenges that most civilian families never have to consider. Frequent relocations, deployments, unpredictable schedules, and years spent building military retirement benefits can all complicate an already difficult divorce.

If you or your spouse serves in the Armed Forces, you may be wondering whether military divorce follows different rules than a traditional California divorce. Questions about where you can file, what happens during a deployment, whether military retirement can be divided, or how a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order affects child custody are incredibly common—and the answers aren't always straightforward.

The good news is that military families do not enter the divorce process without protection. While California family courts still decide issues such as property division, child custody, and support, military divorces are also governed by federal laws and military regulations that can significantly affect how a case proceeds.

Understanding those additional rules is essential. Decisions made early in a military divorce can impact retirement benefits, future parenting rights, financial support, and your family's long-term stability for years to come.

Whether you're an active-duty service member, a reservist, a military spouse, or preparing to separate after military service, understanding how California and federal law work together can help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

Quick Answer: Military divorce in California follows many of the same rules as civilian divorce, but military families must also navigate federal laws governing retirement benefits, deployments, military pay, and active-duty protections. Issues involving the SCRA, DFAS, BAH, PCS orders, and military pensions can significantly affect divorce, child custody, and support.

In This Guide, You'll Learn

Military divorce involves more than ending a marriage. Federal laws, military benefits, and service obligations can all affect the divorce process in ways that don't apply to civilian families.

In this guide, we'll explain:

• How military divorce differs from a civilian divorce
• Where service members can file for divorce in California
• How deployments affect pending divorce cases
• The protections available under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
• How military retirement benefits are divided
• What the 10/10 Rule actually means
• How DFAS, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) fit into a divorce
• Whether BAH, BAS, and special pay affect child or spousal support
• How California courts handle child custody during deployments and PCS transfers
• Common questions military families ask before filing for divorce

Whether you're an active-duty service member, reservist, veteran, or military spouse, understanding these issues before making important decisions can help protect both your legal rights and your family's future.

Why Are Military Divorces More Complicated Than Civilian Divorces?

At first glance, a military divorce looks much like any other divorce.

The court must still determine how marital property should be divided, whether either spouse should receive spousal support, how child custody should be structured, and whether child support should be paid. California's Family Code governs those issues regardless of whether one or both spouses serve in the military.

What makes military divorce different is everything surrounding those issues.

Unlike civilian families, military families often must navigate federal statutes, military regulations, and career obligations that directly affect the divorce process. A deployment may prevent a service member from appearing in court. A PCS order could require one parent to relocate across the country—or overseas. Housing allowances and special pay may affect child and spousal support calculations. Military retirement benefits, the Survivor Benefit Plan, and healthcare eligibility introduce questions that simply do not exist in most civilian divorces.

In many cases, military families must simultaneously navigate California family law, federal law, and military administrative procedures.

That added layer of complexity is why military divorces often require significantly more planning than traditional divorce cases.

Attorney Insight

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that military divorces take place in a military court. They don't.

Most military divorces are handled in California Superior Court, just like any other divorce. The difference is that the court must often apply federal laws affecting military benefits, active-duty protections, and retirement rights in addition to California's family law statutes. Understanding how those systems interact can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.  While servicemembers or their spouses can obtain general legal assistance regarding their divorce on base, the attorneys that staff these centers do not represent anyone in court.

Why San Diego Sees So Many Military Divorces

San Diego has one of the largest concentrations of military personnel in the United States, making military family law a significant part of the region's legal landscape.

The county is home to numerous major military installations, including:

• Naval Base San Diego
• Naval Base Coronado
• Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
• Naval Base Point Loma
• Camp Pendleton
• Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego

With thousands of active-duty service members, reservists, veterans, and military families living throughout San Diego County, local family courts routinely handle cases involving deployments, military retirement, interstate custody disputes, and PCS-related relocation issues.

Military families also tend to face circumstances that are less common in civilian divorces. One spouse may remain stationed in California while the other relocates to another state. Parents may be preparing for an overseas assignment while negotiating custody. Retirement benefits accumulated over decades of service may become one of the largest marital assets subject to division.

As a result, military divorce cases often involve questions that require both legal experience and a practical understanding of military life.

Can You File for Divorce in California If You're Stationed in San Diego?

In many cases, yes.

One of the first questions military families ask is whether they can file for divorce in California even if it is not their permanent home of record.

For civilians, California generally requires one spouse to have lived in the state for at least six months and in the county where the divorce is filed for at least three months before filing. Military families, however, often move every few years because of official orders, making traditional residency requirements more complicated.

Recognizing those realities, California law provides special residency accommodations for many active-duty service members who are stationed in the state.

Even so, determining where a military divorce should be filed is not always a simple question.

Jurisdiction may become more complicated when:

• One spouse continues living in another state.
• The family recently received PCS orders.
• One spouse claims legal residency elsewhere.
• Children have recently relocated.
• Military orders require another transfer before the divorce is finalized.

Choosing the correct jurisdiction can affect everything from custody proceedings to property division, making it one of the first strategic decisions in a military divorce. 

Attorney Insight

Military families sometimes assume they should file for divorce wherever they're currently stationed. That's not always the best option. Depending on the circumstances, you may have the ability to file in more than one state, and those states may apply different laws regarding spousal support, property division, or other issues. Evaluating jurisdiction at the beginning of the case can have long-term consequences that extend well beyond where the paperwork is filed.  If a servicemember is a resident of another state, it is wise to consider whether a divorce should be filed there versus California, as California law may not be the most favorable.

What Happens Next?

Once a divorce has been filed, many service members worry about another question:

What happens if I'm deployed while my divorce is pending?

Federal law provides important legal protection for active-duty military members whose service obligations prevent them from fully participating in court proceedings. Understanding those protections—and their limitations—is critical for both service members and military spouses.

In the next section, we'll examine how deployments affect divorce, explain the protections available under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), and discuss how California courts handle child custody, parenting plans, and PCS orders for military families.

How Does Deployment Affect a Military Divorce?

Receiving deployment orders in the middle of a divorce can be overwhelming. Many service members immediately worry that they will lose their ability to participate in court, while military spouses often wonder whether the divorce must be put on hold indefinitely.

Fortunately, neither assumption is usually correct.

Deployment does not prevent a divorce from proceeding, nor does military service automatically delay every aspect of a case. Instead, federal law provides certain legal protections designed to ensure active-duty service members are not unfairly disadvantaged because of their military obligations.

Whether those protections apply depends on the specific circumstances of the case, the service member's ability to participate, and the nature of the court proceedings.

Understanding these protections is critical for both service members and civilian spouses, as they can significantly affect the timeline of a divorce.

What Is the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)?

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is a federal law that protects active-duty military members whose service obligations materially affect their ability to participate in civil legal proceedings.

Divorce cases are one type of civil proceeding covered by the Act.

The purpose of the SCRA is not to prevent divorce or give service members an unfair advantage. Instead, it recognizes that military duties— particularly deployments, combat assignments, overseas service, and demanding operational schedules— can make it difficult or even impossible for a service member to adequately protect their legal rights.

Depending on the circumstances, the SCRA may allow a court to:

• Postpone hearings
• Stay (temporarily pause) portions of the case
• Extend certain filing deadlines
• Delay default judgments when a service member cannot reasonably appear

These protections help ensure that important decisions involving property, finances, and children are not made simply because military service prevented someone from appearing in court.

Attorney Insight

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the SCRA is that it automatically freezes every divorce involving an active-duty service member. It doesn't. The Act provides procedural protections— not immunity from divorce. Courts still expect cases to move forward whenever it is practical to do so, and judges carefully evaluate whether military service is actually preventing meaningful participation in the litigation.  With the current state of technology in the California Superior Court, servicemembers have greater ability to appear for court hearings, albeit virtually.

Can My Spouse Divorce Me While I'm Deployed?

Yes.

Being deployed does not prevent your spouse from filing for divorce.

Likewise, active-duty military service does not automatically stop California courts from exercising jurisdiction over your case.

However, if your military duties materially affect your ability to participate in the proceedings, you may be entitled to request relief under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

For example, a service member stationed overseas or assigned to an operational deployment may have difficulty reviewing financial documents, meeting with an attorney, participating in mediation, or attending hearings. In those situations, the court may grant additional time or temporarily postpone certain proceedings to ensure the service member has a fair opportunity to participate.

Every case is different. Courts generally balance the service member's military obligations against the need to keep the case moving toward resolution.  SCRA counsel may be appointed to ensure that the servicemember is adequately represented at court proceedings when they are unavailable.

Can a California Court Enter a Default Judgment Against a Service Member?

Potentially—but additional safeguards apply.

In a civilian divorce, a party who ignores the case may eventually have a default judgment entered against them. Military cases require additional scrutiny.

Before entering certain default judgments, courts generally require confirmation regarding a party's military status and must comply with the protections provided by the SCRA when applicable.

This helps prevent situations where an active-duty service member unknowingly loses important legal rights simply because they were deployed or otherwise unable to respond while performing military duties.

How Do Deployments Affect Child Custody?

Child custody is often the most emotional issue in any divorce, and military deployments can make parenting arrangements considerably more complicated.

A parent who deploys overseas may temporarily lose the ability to exercise regular parenting time, attend school events, or participate in everyday routines. That reality understandably causes many service members to worry that deployment could permanently damage their relationship with their children.

Fortunately, California law recognizes the unique demands of military service, specifically California Family Code section 3047. 

Additionally, judges understand that deployment is fundamentally different from voluntarily choosing not to participate in a child's life. Military assignments are obligations imposed by service—not evidence of a parent's commitment or ability to care for their child.

Because of that distinction, courts generally seek custody arrangements that preserve the parent-child relationship while accommodating the practical realities of military service.

Attorney Insight

We've represented military families where deployment created temporary changes to parenting schedules, but not permanent changes to parental rights.  California Family Code section 3047 provides statutory custodial protection for active-duty servicemembers, and judges understand that service members don't choose when or where they deploy. A thoughtfully prepared parenting plan can often protect the parent-child relationship while accounting for future military obligations.

Can Deployment Cause Me to Lose Custody?

Generally, no.

A military deployment alone is not a reason for a California court to permanently reduce or terminate a parent's custody rights.  This is precisely why California Family Code section 3047 was promulgated.

That does not mean deployments have no effect on custody. A parent who deploys may need temporary modifications to parenting time while they are unavailable to care for the child. Once the deployment ends, courts restore the prior parenting arrangement unless doing so remains in the child's best interests. 

The focus remains on the child's welfare—not on punishing a parent for fulfilling military obligations.  That said, the non-servicemember parent often claims that returning to the prior parenting arrangement is not in the best interest of the child.

Of course, every custody case depends on its specific facts. If other concerns exist—such as domestic violence, substance abuse, neglect, or ongoing instability— the court will evaluate those issues separately. Military service itself, however, is generally not viewed as a negative factor.

How Do California Courts Handle PCS Orders?

One of the most difficult situations military families face involves a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order.

Unlike a temporary deployment, a PCS assignment may require a parent to relocate hundreds—or even thousands—of miles away. Some assignments involve another state, while others involve overseas installations that make existing parenting schedules impossible to maintain.

When that happens, custody issues become significantly more complex.

California courts do not automatically approve or deny relocation requests simply because they result from military orders. Instead, judges examine how the proposed move will affect the child and whether a revised parenting plan can continue serving the child's best interests.

Depending on the circumstances, the court may evaluate factors such as:

• The distance of the relocation.
• The child's relationship with each parent.
• Educational stability.
• The feasibility of long-distance parenting.
• Each parent's ability to encourage ongoing contact.
• The reasons for the proposed relocation.

Every PCS-related custody case requires an individualized analysis, and no single factor determines the outcome.  There are also different evidentiary standards that govern these proceedings, depending on whether there are existing child custody orders prior to a request to relocate.

Planning Ahead Can Protect Your Family

Military families often know that deployment orders are possible long before they occur.

For that reason, one of the most effective strategies is planning for those possibilities while negotiating the original parenting plan rather than waiting until orders arrive.

Well-drafted custody stipulations frequently include provisions addressing:

• Future deployments.
• Temporary custody arrangements.
• Virtual visitation.
• Holiday parenting time.
• Transportation responsibilities.
• Procedures for modifying the schedule when military orders change.

Addressing these issues in advance can reduce uncertainty, minimize future conflict, and provide greater stability for both parents and children.  However, in California the court’s analysis of “best interest of the child” is always conducted in real time.  This means that if there is an existing order and one parent seeks to modify it, the court will revisit what is in the best interest of the child under the current circumstance.  Simply put, you cannot future-proof custody, even with a written agreement.

What's Next?

Deployments and custody issues often receive the most attention during military divorces, but they are only part of the picture.

For many military families, retirement benefits represent one of the largest assets accumulated during the marriage, and they are frequently misunderstood.

In the next section, we'll explain how military retirement is divided in California divorce cases, clarify the often-misunderstood 10/10 Rule, and discuss how issues involving DFAS, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) can significantly affect both spouses long after the divorce is finalized.

How Is Military Retirement Divided in a California Divorce?

For many military families, retirement benefits are the most valuable asset accumulated during the marriage. After years—or even decades—of military service, a pension can represent hundreds of thousands of dollars in future benefits, making it one of the most heavily negotiated issues in a military divorce.

Not surprisingly, military retirement is also one of the most misunderstood aspects of family law.

Some service members believe their pension cannot be divided because it was earned through military service. Others assume that a spouse automatically receives half of the retirement after ten years of marriage. Neither assumption is accurate.

In California, military retirement benefits may be treated as community property to the extent they were earned during the marriage. However, determining whether retirement is divisible—and how much of it may be subject to division— is rarely as simple as applying a single formula.

The outcome depends on numerous factors, including the length of the marriage, the length of military service, when the retirement benefits were earned, and how California's community property laws intersect with federal law.

Is Military Retirement Considered Community Property?

Often, yes.

California is a community property state, which generally means assets acquired during the marriage presumptively belong equally to both spouses unless an exception applies.

Military retirement is no different.

The portion of a military pension earned during the marriage is generally considered community property and may be divided as part of the divorce. Any retirement benefits earned before the marriage or after separation are generally treated as the service member's separate property.

For many couples, this means only a portion of the pension—not the entire retirement benefit—is subject to division.

For example, imagine a servicemember serves for twenty years but was married for only twelve of those years. The community estate generally includes only the retirement earned during those twelve overlapping years, not the entire military career.

Determining that community portion often requires a careful review of service dates, marriage dates, and the applicable retirement system.

Attorney Insight

Many clients assume retirement is divided based solely on how long they were married. In reality, what matters is how much of the military career overlapped with the marriage. Two couples may both have ten-year marriages, yet receive very different outcomes depending on when those years occurred during the service member's military career.  The Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (10 U.S.C. § 1408) permits California to determine the community property interest in a federal pension.

Does My Spouse Automatically Receive Half of My Military Pension?

No.

One of the most persistent myths surrounding military divorce is that a former spouse automatically receives 50% of a service member's retirement.

There is no law that requires that result.

Instead, California courts determine what portion of the retirement is community property and then apply California's community property principles to that marital interest.  This is the so-called “time rule” from the seminal case of In re Marriage of Brown (1976) 15 Cal.3d 838.

In some cases, the divisible portion may represent a substantial percentage of the retirement.

In others, particularly when much of the military career occurred before marriage or after separation, the community interest may be significantly smaller.

Every military retirement calculation depends on the specific facts of the marriage and military service.

Understanding the 10/10 Rule

Few topics create more confusion than the 10/10 Rule.

Many people mistakenly believe the rule determines whether a former spouse is entitled to receive any portion of a military pension.

It does not.

The 10/10 Rule simply determines how retirement payments are delivered—not whether retirement benefits can be divided.

The rule applies when:

• The marriage lasted at least 10 years, and
• Those ten years overlapped with at least 10 years of creditable military service.

When both requirements are satisfied, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) may send the former spouse's court-awarded share of retirement benefits directly to them.

If those requirements are not met, the military retirement may still be divided.

The difference is that the service member, rather than DFAS, may be responsible for making the required payments under the court's orders.

In other words, the 10/10 Rule affects the payment mechanism, not the spouse's legal entitlement.

Attorney Insight

We regularly meet people who delayed filing for divorce because they believed waiting until the ten-year mark would determine whether retirement could be divided. That's simply not how the law works. The existence of community property rights and the availability of direct DFAS payments are two entirely separate legal questions. 

What Is DFAS?

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is the federal agency responsible for administering military pay and retirement benefits.

After a divorce, DFAS may be responsible for issuing retirement payments directly to a former spouse when the legal requirements—including the 10/10 Rule—have been satisfied and the appropriate court orders have been submitted.

However, DFAS does not decide how retirement should be divided.

That decision belongs to the California family court and is based on the time rule.

DFAS simply administers payments in accordance with valid court orders and applicable federal law.

Because DFAS has strict procedural requirements, retirement division orders must be carefully drafted. Even a favorable court ruling can result in delays if the required documentation is incomplete or does not comply with DFAS regulations.

What About the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)?

Many military families accumulate significant retirement savings through the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) in addition to a military pension.

The TSP functions similarly to a civilian 401(k), allowing service members to build retirement savings through contributions and investment growth.

Like many other retirement accounts, the community portion of a TSP account may also be subject to division during a California divorce.

Unlike military retired pay, however, dividing a TSP generally requires its own procedures and documentation.

Because the pension and TSP are separate retirement assets, they should each be carefully evaluated during settlement negotiations or litigation.

Does Divorce Affect the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)?

Potentially.

The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is designed to provide continuing benefits to a designated beneficiary after a retired service member's death.

Whether a former spouse remains eligible for SBP coverage after divorce depends on several factors, including the terms of the divorce judgment, federal law, and whether the required elections are made within applicable deadlines.

Because those deadlines can be strict, overlooking SBP issues during a divorce may permanently affect valuable survivor benefits.

For many military families, discussions surrounding SBP are just as important as the division of retirement itself.

Attorney Insight

Military retirement isn't a single asset—it's often a collection of interconnected benefits. Pension rights, the Thrift Savings Plan, Survivor Benefit Plan elections, disability-related issues, and future retirement eligibility can all affect the financial outcome of a divorce. Addressing one benefit while overlooking another can have consequences that aren't discovered until years after the divorce has been finalized.

Military Disability Benefits and Divorce

Military disability benefits introduce another layer of complexity.

Whether disability compensation may be considered during divorce depends on the specific type of benefit involved and the applicable federal and California laws.

Because disability benefits often receive different legal treatment than military retired pay, these issues require careful legal analysis before negotiating a settlement involving retirement assets or ongoing support.

Attempting to apply civilian retirement principles to military disability compensation can lead to costly mistakes.

Retirement Decisions Can Affect Your Financial Future for Decades

Unlike many marital assets that are divided once and forgotten, military retirement benefits may continue paying for the rest of a person's life.

That makes retirement one of the most financially significant aspects of a military divorce.

Before agreeing to divide retirement benefits—or assuming the law requires a particular outcome—it's important to understand how California community property laws, federal statutes, and military regulations work together.

A well-negotiated settlement today can prevent years of unnecessary disputes and protect the financial security of both parties long after the divorce is final.

What's Next?

Retirement benefits are only one part of the financial picture.

Military families also receive forms of compensation that civilian employees typically do not, including Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), special duty pay, and other military benefits. These forms of compensation can significantly affect both child support and spousal support calculations in California, particularly since they are nontaxable income.

Frequently Asked Questions About Military Divorce in California

Can active-duty military members file for divorce in California?

Often, yes. California law provides special residency accommodations for many active-duty service members stationed in the state. However, determining the proper jurisdiction depends on several factors, including where each spouse lives, where the marriage occurred, whether children are involved, and whether another state may also have jurisdiction. An experienced California family law attorney can help determine the most advantageous place to file, which may not be California.

Does deployment stop a divorce?

Not automatically.

A deployment does not prevent a spouse from filing for divorce, nor does it automatically pause the proceedings. However, active-duty service members may be entitled to protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) if their military duties materially affect their ability to participate in the case. Depending on the circumstances, a court may postpone hearings or grant additional time to respond.

Can I lose custody because I'm deployed?

Generally, no.  This is why California Family Code section 3047 was promulgated.

California courts recognize that military deployments are part of military service and should not, by themselves, permanently reduce a parent's custody rights. While parenting schedules may need to be adjusted during a deployment, judges typically seek solutions that preserve the parent-child relationship whenever possible.

Is military retirement always divided in a divorce?

Not necessarily.

Military retirement benefits earned during the marriage are often considered community property under California law and may be subject to division using the time rule. However, retirement earned before the marriage or after separation is generally treated differently. The amount subject to division depends on the specific facts of the marriage and military career.

What is the 10/10 Rule?

The 10/10 Rule is one of the most misunderstood concepts in military divorce.

It does not determine whether a former spouse is entitled to military retirement benefits. Instead, it determines whether the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) may send retirement payments directly to the former spouse after the divorce. Retirement benefits may still be divided even when the 10/10 Rule is not satisfied.

Does BAH count when calculating child support?

Yes.

California courts often consider Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) as part of a service member's tax-free income when calculating child support. Depending on the circumstances, other forms of military compensation—including BAS and certain specialty pays—may also affect support calculations.

Can military spouses keep TRICARE after divorce?

It depends.

Eligibility for continued military healthcare benefits depends on several federal rules, including the length of the marriage, the length of military service, and the overlap between the two. Some former spouses may remain eligible for certain benefits, while others may lose coverage when the divorce becomes final.

Can a PCS order change an existing custody arrangement?

Yes.

A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order may require modifications to an existing parenting plan, particularly if one parent is relocating to another state or overseas. California courts evaluate these cases based on the child's best interests and consider factors such as educational stability, the distance of the move, and the feasibility of maintaining meaningful contact with both parents.

Can military spouses receive spousal support?

Yes.

Military families are subject to California's spousal support laws, just like civilian families. Courts evaluate factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, the marital standard of living, and the ability of one spouse to pay support. Military compensation such as MILPERSMAN may also affect the analysis.

Do I need an attorney who handles military divorces?

Military divorces often involve issues that do not arise in traditional family law cases, including military retirement, DFAS requirements, deployments, PCS orders, federal protections, and military compensation. Working with an attorney who understands both California family law and the legal issues unique to military families can help you avoid costly mistakes and better protect your rights.

Why Military Families Throughout San Diego Trust Antonyan Miranda LLP

Military families face unique challenges, and those challenges deserve legal representation that understands both the law and the realities of military life.

At Antonyan Miranda LLP, we represent active-duty service members, reservists, veterans, and military spouses in divorce, child custody, military retirement division, support matters, move-away disputes, and other complex family law litigation throughout Southern California.

Our attorneys understand that military divorces often involve overlapping state and federal laws, unique financial issues, and parenting arrangements that must accommodate deployments, PCS orders, and changing duty assignments. We work closely with our clients to develop practical legal strategies that protect their families while positioning them for long-term success after divorce.

Whether you're stationed at Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Coronado, MCAS Miramar, Camp Pendleton, Naval Base Point Loma, or elsewhere in Southern California, our team is prepared to help you navigate the legal issues unique to military divorce.

If you're considering divorce or have been served with divorce papers, schedule a confidential consultation with Antonyan Miranda LLP to discuss your rights, your options, and the legal strategies available to protect your future.

Reviewed by a California Family Law Attorney

This article was reviewed for legal accuracy by the family law attorneys at Antonyan Miranda LLP, a California family law litigation firm representing clients throughout San Diego County, Orange County, and Riverside County.

Our attorneys regularly represent active-duty service members, military spouses, reservists, and veterans in divorce proceedings involving military retirement benefits, DFAS orders, child custody, PCS relocations, deployments, spousal support, child support, and other complex family law matters.

Because military divorces often involve both California family law and federal military statutes, every case presents unique legal and financial considerations. This article is intended to provide general educational information and should not be considered legal advice for any particular situation.

If you have questions about a military divorce or custody matter, consulting with an experienced California family law attorney can help you better understand your rights and the options available to you.