Honoring Military Families: Divorce, Custody & Estate Planning Support at The Barrows Firm

Supporting Our Service Members: Family Law and Estate Planning for Military Families

May is Military Appreciation Month, a time to recognize and honor the sacrifices made by our service members and their families. At The Barrows Firm in Southlake, Texas, we are proud to support military families with legal services tailored to their unique circumstances. Whether navigating a divorce, resolving child custody matters, or creating an estate plan, military members, veterans, and their families benefit from working with experienced family law attorneys who understand military-specific issues.

Military Divorce: Understanding the Unique Challenges

Divorce in Texas is never easy, but when one or both spouses are serving in the military, additional legal and logistical considerations come into play. From deployments to jurisdictional questions, military divorces require a specialized approach.

Jurisdiction: Military families often move frequently, making it complicated to determine where to file for divorce. Texas law allows service members to file for divorce in the county where they are stationed or where they claim residency. Having experienced legal guidance can ensure the right venue is selected to protect your rights.

Division of Military Benefits: Military pensions, retirement plans, and VA benefits may be divided during divorce proceedings. The Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA) outlines how military benefits are treated and what is considered community property. Understanding how these laws apply is critical when negotiating a fair division of assets.

Custody and Visitation: Parenting during active military service can be challenging due to frequent moves and deployments. Service members need custody arrangements that are both fair and flexible, allowing for continued involvement in their children’s lives. Custom parenting plans can address anticipated military obligations while prioritizing the best interests of the children.

Read our article: Winning From the Driver’s Seat: Custody Strategy 

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): This federal law protects active-duty service members involved in civil legal matters like divorce or custody. Courts must accommodate deployment-related delays and cannot enter default judgments while the service member is away. Legal representation familiar with SCRA can ensure those protections are honored.

Listen to The Barrows Firm Law Review Podcast on Spreaker

Child Custody and Support for Military Parents

Military parents face unique circumstances that affect how custody and support issues are handled. The Barrows Firm works with both active-duty service members and their co-parents to create sustainable and effective family law solutions.

Parenting Plans That Travel: Military life often requires relocation, which can disrupt standard visitation schedules. A parenting plan for a military family must be adaptable to travel, distance, and changes in duty stations. We help parents create agreements that keep the children connected to both parents, even across time zones.

Temporary Custody Solutions: During deployment, service members need to ensure their children are cared for by a trusted person. This is often addressed through a Family Care Plan, which the military requires of single parents and dual-military couples. These plans can be supported by legal documents that designate temporary custody and provide clear authority to caregivers.

Enforcing and Modifying Support Orders: Military pay includes different components such as Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), hazardous duty pay, and more. These elements must be considered when calculating child support obligations fairly. We also assist with modifying orders if a service member’s income changes significantly due to deployment or duty changes.

Estate Planning for Military Members and Veterans

Estate planning is vital for service members and veterans who want to protect their loved ones and prepare for the unexpected. At The Barrows Firm, we proudly offer affordable and often discounted estate planning services for active-duty military and veterans during Military Appreciation Month and throughout the year.

Wills and Trusts: A valid will or trust allows service members to outline exactly how they want their assets distributed. Trusts can help avoid probate and ensure a smoother process for surviving family members. These tools are particularly important for families with minor children or complex financial situations.

Powers of Attorney: Designating a power of attorney lets someone you trust make legal and financial decisions on your behalf. This is crucial for service members who may be deployed or otherwise unable to handle personal affairs. A durable power of attorney ensures that your finances are managed in your best interest.

Medical Directives: A medical directive, or living will, outlines your healthcare wishes if you’re unable to communicate them yourself. This ensures your choices are respected, even in a crisis. Combined with a medical power of attorney, these documents provide clear instructions to doctors and loved ones.

Military Benefits Planning: Service members and veterans have access to important benefits, including life insurance, retirement plans, and survivor benefits. Integrating these into an estate plan helps ensure your family is financially secure. Our team helps clients coordinate these benefits to fit into their broader estate goals.

Special Military Appreciation Month Offer

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, The Barrows Firm is proud to offer free consultations and 25% off hourly rates for all active-duty service members, veterans, and military families throughout the month of May. We believe in showing our appreciation with real, practical support for those who serve and protect our nation. Whether you need assistance with a family law matter or want to get your estate plan in place, we are here to serve you with compassion, integrity, and experience.

We Honor Those Who Serve

The Barrows Firm is proud to support those who serve and have served our country. If you or a loved one is facing a divorce, custody matter, or needs an estate plan tailored to the military lifestyle, we are here to help.

Contact The Barrows Firm today at www.BarrowsFirm.com or call (817) 481-1583 to schedule your free consultation during Military Appreciation Month.