Military Divorce Attorneys in Columbia, SC
Are you a service member or military spouse facing divorce?
Military divorce cases involve unique legal issues that most family law attorneys are not equipped to handle. Attorney Nick Mermiges has substantial experience handling military divorce and custody cases for service members stationed at Fort Jackson and throughout South Carolina. He understands the specific challenges that military families face during divorce, including issues of military retirement and pension division, PCS orders affecting custody, and the calculation of child support when military allowances and benefits are involved.
Columbia, South Carolina is home to Fort Jackson, one of the largest military installations in the United States. Many of our clients are active duty service members, veterans, or military spouses who need an attorney who understands the intersection of military regulations and South Carolina family law.
Our military divorce practice addresses issues including:
- Military Pension Division: Division of military retirement pay under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA), including the 10/10 rule for direct payment from DFAS and proper calculation of the marital share of disposable retired pay.
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Division: Proper division of TSP accounts through retirement benefits court orders, including both traditional and Roth TSP balances.
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): Protections available to active duty service members, including the right to request a stay of proceedings during active duty service and deployment.
- Tricare Health Insurance: Continuation of Tricare coverage for former spouses under the 20/20/20 and 20/20/15 rules.
- BAH and Military Allowances: How Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), and other military pay and allowances factor into child support and alimony calculations.
- Military Custody Issues: Addressing PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders, deployment schedules, and Family Care Plans in the context of custody and visitation.
- VA Disability Pay: Understanding the distinction between VA disability compensation and military retirement pay, and how this affects equitable distribution.
- Jurisdiction Issues: Determining proper jurisdiction when one spouse is stationed in South Carolina but claims domicile in another state.
For more information, watch Attorney Nick Mermiges’ informational video on common issues in military divorce and custody cases in South Carolina.
If you are a service member or military spouse facing divorce, call (803) 587-0472 or email Nick@NDMLaw.com to schedule a consultation.