California Military Divorce Library

A military divorce can leave you wondering what happens to your retirement, whether your family can keep military benefits, or how a transfer will affect time with your children. Start with the question you need answered. These guides explain how military rules and California family law can affect the decisions you face.

Meet our Riverside military divorce team or schedule a consultation with Edgar & Dow.

Start here

New to military divorce? Start with the California overview, then use the checklist or the guides below for your specific questions.

• Military Divorce in California: A Guide for Servicemembers and Spouses
• Military Divorce Checklist: Documents, Benefits, Orders, and Deadlines
• Can JAG Help Me With My California Divorce?
• What Do I Need to Do After My Military Divorce Is Final?

Retirement and benefits

Find out what happens to retired pay and military benefits during divorce, and what to look for if an order or payment needs attention.

Dividing military retirement

• Military Divorce in California: What the 10/10 Rule Actually Means
• How Is Military Retirement Divided in a California Divorce?
• Which State Can Divide Military Retirement in a Divorce?
• The Frozen Benefit Rule and Military Retirement Division
• Dividing National Guard and Reserve Retirement in Divorce
• Dividing a Military Thrift Savings Plan in California
• The Blended Retirement System and California Divorce
• Should I Keep My Share of the Military Pension or Take More of the House?

Disability and changes to retired pay

• Military Disability Benefits, VA Waivers, and Divorce
• Military Retirement Reduced After Divorce? What Howell v. Howell Means in California
• CRDP and CRSC: Why the Difference Matters in Divorce
• What Happens to My Military Retirement in a California Divorce if I’m Medically Retired?
• Leaving the Military Before Retirement: Separation Pay and Divorce
• Military Bonuses, Continuation Pay, and Accrued Leave in Divorce

Pension orders, taxes, and survivor coverage

• Military Pension Division Orders: Requirements and Common Mistakes
• Why Did DFAS Reject My Military Retirement Order?
• What Happens if Military Retirement Was Omitted From Your Divorce Judgment?
• Who Reports Military Retirement Payments on Their Taxes After Divorce?
• Survivor Benefit Plan Coverage After Military Divorce
• I Missed the Survivor Benefit Plan Deadline. What Can I Do Now?

Health coverage, housing, and other benefits

• The 20/20/20 and 20/20/15 Rules: Military Benefits After Divorce
• Can Finalizing Your Divorce Too Soon Cost You Military Benefits?
• What Happens to TRICARE After a Military Divorce?
• Can I Stay in Military Housing During a Divorce?
• Does Divorce Change Who Gets My SGLI or VGLI Life Insurance?
• Can My Spouse Cancel Transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits After Divorce?

Child and spousal support

Start here if you need to understand military pay, get a support order enforced, or figure out why the amount withheld falls short of what’s due.

• “The Military Is Taking Half My Pay.” Why You May Still Owe Back Support
• Reading a Military Leave and Earnings Statement for Child Support
• Do Military Housing and Food Allowances Count for California Child Support?
• Military Spousal Support in California
• Military Family Support Before a Court Order: Command Assistance and Its Limits
• Enforcing Child and Spousal Support Against Military Pay and Retirement
• Voluntary Military Allotments, Involuntary Allotments, and Support Garnishment
• How Military Support Requirements Interact With California Court Orders
• Can I Enforce My California Support Order if My Military Ex Moves to Another State?

Custody and deployment

Find guidance on parenting plans when a transfer, deployment, or overseas assignment changes where a parent or child lives.

• Does Deployment Affect Child Custody in California?
• Long-Distance Military Parenting Plans: Summer, Holidays, and Travel
• Military Family Care Plans and California Custody Orders
• Military Custody Cases Across State Lines and Overseas
• Can I Move With My Child After Receiving PCS Orders?

Court procedures and protections

These guides cover serving papers, requesting a stay, and seeking protection when safety is a concern.

• SCRA Protections in Divorce: Stays and Default Judgments
• Serving Divorce Papers on a Servicemember Stationed Overseas
• Military Protective Orders and California Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
• Can I Get Military Financial Help After Domestic Abuse?

Support requirements by military branch

Choose the servicemember’s branch for guidance on family support during separation.

• Army Family-Support Requirements During Separation
• Navy Family-Support Requirements During Separation
• Marine Corps Family-Support Requirements During Separation
• Air Force Family-Support Requirements During Separation
• Space Force Family-Support Requirements During Separation
• Coast Guard Family-Support Requirements During Separation

Discuss your military divorce with Edgar & Dow

A useful answer starts with your circumstances. If you are facing a retirement dispute, a support shortfall, or parenting challenges connected to military service, our firm can evaluate the issues and explain your options.

Schedule Your Military Divorce Consultation