Military Benefits and Divorce
While a civilian divorce can be a long, tough process, military divorces may be even more complicated. One of the biggest issues stemming from military divorce is the retention of military benefits. Spouses of servicemen and servicewomen usually receive insurance coverage through the military. When the marriage ends, though, what happens to those benefits?
If you are going through a divorce and you or your spouse is in the military, call the Austin divorce lawyers of Slater, Kennon & Pugh Ltd.LLP at 512-472-2431 for more information about military divorces.
Who Has Benefits after the Divorce?
Those serving in the armed forces usually continue to receive their benefits even after a divorce as long as he or she is not dishonorably discharged. The ex-spouses of military members, though, do not keep their benefits.
In order to ease the transition from life as a military spouse to life as a civilian, ex-spouses of military members may sign up for the Continued Health Care Benefit Program. While this program is not free, it provides the same health care that ex-spouses of military members received before the divorce.
An ex-spouse has 60 days after the divorce to sign up for the program and may renew membership for three months at a time for up to three years. If you are signed up for the program, your membership can end in one of three ways:
- You do not renew your membership after a three-month period
- You have been on the program for three years
- You get remarried
In the case of remarriage, your benefits under the program end immediately.
Contact Us
If you or someone you know is going through a military divorce, contact the experienced Austin divorce lawyers of Slater, Kennon & Pugh Ltd.LLP at 512-472-2431 to learn how we can help you in your divorce proceedings.