At KHM Attorneys at Law, our team of attorneys have extensive experience in military family law. Not only is founding partner Jennifer Knies a graduate of West Point and a retired judge advocate, but partner Ezra Hurwitz spent 10 years on Active Duty in the Army JAG Corps, and continues to serve in the National Guard as the Staff Judge Advocate for the Wyoming Army National Guard. Additionally, founding partner Jennifer Helland has published articles on the new blended retirement system and is a well-known family law attorney in Colorado for all military issues impacted by divorce.
Military divorce isn’t necessarily more complicated than a civilian divorce; however, certain rules and requirements do apply. KHM Attorneys at Law’s attorneys will work with you to navigate this process in order to complete this process as smoothly as possible. At KHM Law, it is our goal to work with you to create a plan of action that is unique to you and your situation.
Military Divorce in Colorado
KHM Attorneys at Law’s expert team take each client’s unique situation into consideration and offers personalized solutions that would work best for their case. Our firm not only handles traditional military divorces, but we also provide divorce coaching for parties seeking legal guidance and direction. No matter where you are in the process, we will make sure that all the steps and paperwork are complete for the finalization of your divorce.
As tempting as it may be to weather this storm alone, we strongly advise against it. There is too much at stake – fiscally and emotionally – to risk missing an important step or document. At KHM Law, our attorneys will walk you through this experience with discretion and care. We make it our priority to help our clients seek a new start.
What Is Military Divorce?
It’s quite evident across the United States that divorce rates are on the rise; however, many people are shocked by the statistics of divorce among military personnel.
Currently there are roughly 1.3 million men and women serving in the active-duty military, plus an additional 800,000 serving in the National Guard or Reserves. Of those nearly 1.4 million, roughly 1.16 million are male and 250,000 are female. Among those individuals, roughly 50 percent of military personnel are married. As of 2021, the divorce rate among active duty soldiers was 3.0 percent; for the guard and reserves it was 2.6%; the national average in 2021 was approximately 1.4%. Compared to the national average, the rate of divorce in the military is almost double that of the nation at large.
The attorneys at KHM Law are here to walk you through the process. We will support you along the way and help you come up with a personalized solution strategy to help you walk away from the process with as much dignity as you deserve.
How Long Can Military Divorces Take?
The military divorce process, like any other divorce proceeding, can be lengthy, but with the right support team, it is doable. In some cases, the process may be extended if you or your spouse is on active duty with orders that require the service member to be deployed.
During the separation and divorce process, there are often situations that arise that can impact service members differently than the regular public. For example, military members are prohibited from engaging in an extramarital relationship, even if they are going through the divorce process, and if you or your spouse are found to be having such a relationship during the dissolution process it can significantly impact your military career; there are other examples as well, to include potential military protection or support orders,
Our attorneys are knowledgeable of the unique rules and regulations surrounding military members and the divorce process and will advise you how to proceed to avoid any unnecessary hurdles.
Do I Need an Attorney for a Military Divorce?
Like with any civilian divorce, you can complete the paperwork necessary to divorce your spouse on your own, but it’s not always advisable. Trying to understand all of the legal issues surrounding a divorce is hard enough, but especially so if your case is complicated by certain military related issues. There is too much for you to lose, including money, benefits, and even custody, if you risk going it alone.
Avoid the Pitfalls of DIY Military Divorce
The risks associated with trying to do it yourself are many. Going it alone will not only involve more headache, it could also result in:
- Extended length of the process due to incomplete or inaccurate paperwork.
- Mistakes in child support calculation
- Inaccurate property descriptions and/or retirement fund reporting.
- Vague and incomplete allocations of parental responsibility.
Trying to tackle the paperwork and decision-making process of a divorce on your own is not only emotionally taxing, but it is also mentally draining. Allowing our qualified attorneys to handle the legal side of it for you will help you focus on the emotional healing that you need during this period.
