Servicemembers have two retirement assets available: military retired pay (a pension) and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the equivalent of a 401k. Divorcing servicemembers and their spouses must be aware of both plans to ensure a fair division. This article will address only the TSP. Unlike many private 401k plans, TSP does not limit the […]
A spouse divorcing a servicemember in Wisconsin can learn quite a bit from the member’s Leave and Earnings Statement (LES). The LES is the military equivalent of a civilian paystub, though it includes much more useful information. The LES shows the total pay, entitlements, deductions, allotments, and other information relating to the servicemember. They are […]
When a Wisconsin military couple divorces, the civilian spouse may receive a survivor benefit from the servicemember’s military retired pay. The SBP is not automatically established however. Certain deadlines must be met or the benefit could be lost. If the servicemember is cooperate, or the court order so states, the servicemember should elect former spouse coverage by […]
In previous blogs, I discussed limited post-divorce Tricare coverage available to ex-spouses after a military divorce. Two somewhat “informal” means of continuing coverage may require the servicemembers’ cooperation, but can make great sense in the right case. Legal separation: There are few differences between divorce and legal separation in Wisconsin. One important difference is that […]
Continuing a discussion of military Tricare benefits after divorce, today I address a method of continuing Tricare after active service, known as TAMP. TAMP stands for Transitional Assistance Management Program. Members separating honorably from active duty, and their family members, can continue Tricare for up to 180 days after separation. In limited circumstances, reservists can […]
A spouse divorcing a servicemember in Wisconsin must be aware of the health insurance benefits available to him/her and the children after divorce. This blog provides some basic information on military health insurance, to be followed by a series of blogs addressing continued coverage for ex-spouses and children. The military health/dental insurance program is known […]
Military servicemembers receive various forms of pay. A parent working with his/her divorce or child custody lawyer must be aware of the meaning and availability of those forms of pay. Basic pay: this is the servicemember’s pay, equivalent to a salary for civilian employees. Basic allowance for housing (BAH): military housing allowance based on […]
A spouse of a military member at divorce must be aware of his/her rights regarding the division of military retired pay. The actual division of the pay is addressed in separate posts. However, once the spouse’s portion of the retired pay is awarded, the spouse should take steps to protect it. The survivor benefit plan […]
When a servicemember is divorced, his/her military retired pay is often divided with the ex-spouse. Whether you are the servicemember or the spouse, it is vital to ensure that the calculation is done properly. A Court Order Acceptable for Processing (COAP) is a document required by the military to specify the exact terms […]
A COAP is shorthand for Court Order Acceptable for Processing. This document is an order, separate from a Wisconsin divorce judgment, that the military requires to divide military retired pay between ex-spouses. When a military member is divorced, the court grants a judgment. The spouses’ property will be allocated in that judgment. Since a servicemember’s […]
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