Military Divorce Work With An Experienced Licensed Paraprofessional

Military Divorce in Fort Collins

Family Law Guidance for Northern Colorado’s Military Community

Military divorce in Colorado involves both state family law and federal statutes that don’t apply to civilian cases. Division of military retirement pay, deployment-related custody complications, SCRA protections, and jurisdictional questions tied to domicile all require careful attention. Our founding licensed legal paraprofessional is a military spouse, bringing firsthand understanding of military life to every case we handle. Combined with over 20 years of family law experience and deep familiarity with Northern Colorado courts, New Beginnings Family Law can guide military families through one of the most complex areas of family law.

We focus exclusively on family law, which means every hour of training and experience we bring is directed at the issues that matter most to our clients, including the federal and state law questions that set military divorce apart.

Start with a free 30-minute consultation by phone or video. Call (970) 251-1661 to schedule, or reach us through our online contact form.

Why Military Families in Fort Collins Choose New Beginnings Family Law

Military families navigating divorce face a different set of pressures than civilian families. Deployment cycles, temporary duty assignments, and the uncertainty of permanent change of station moves don’t pause for divorce proceedings. Our founding licensed legal paraprofessional is a military spouse who understands those realities from the inside, not just from case files.

Our familiarity with Larimer County District Court procedures and Northern Colorado court processes means we can help clients navigate local requirements efficiently. We’re also led by a member of the Colorado Bar Association LLP Committee, reflecting our commitment to professional standards in this field.

Making legal support accessible to military families:

Free consultations: A complimentary 30-minute consultation is available by phone or video, with no obligation to proceed.
Virtual services: For servicemembers or spouses dealing with deployment, temporary duty, or distance, we offer full virtual consultations and services.
Payment plans: We offer payment plans to make legal support manageable during a financially stressful time.
Family law focus: We handle family law exclusively, so our knowledge stays concentrated on the issues you’re facing.

Federal Laws That Shape Military Divorce

Several federal statutes create rules that don’t exist in civilian divorces. Understanding how they apply in general terms helps military families know what to expect when they sit down with a legal professional.

SCRA Protections for Active-Duty Members

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) allows active-duty servicemembers to request a postponement of civil court proceedings, including divorce cases, when military service materially affects their ability to participate. This is one reason military divorces often move on a different timeline than civilian dissolutions.

Dividing Military Retirement Pay

The Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act (USFSPA) authorizes state courts to treat military retirement pay as marital property subject to division. The current method used to calculate that division is called the Freeze Time Formula, which is technical and can have significant financial consequences for both parties. Healthcare eligibility through TRICARE and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) coverage for a former spouse are additional financial issues that may need to be addressed in a military dissolution and don’t arise in civilian cases.

Child Support and Deployment-Related Custody

Federal garnishment limits cap what can be withheld from a servicemember’s disposable pay for combined child support and alimony obligations, generally at 50 to 60 percent depending on the servicemember’s circumstances. When one or both parents are deployed, Colorado courts apply the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act to parenting time decisions. A forward-looking parenting plan is important in military cases, accounting for deployment possibilities and communication arrangements that support the parent-child relationship.

Get Help with Your Military Divorce in Fort Collins

We offer free 30-minute consultations by phone or video, flexible payment plans, and full virtual services for clients who can’t meet in person. Active-duty military, veterans, and first responders also receive a special discount on our services.

Call (970) 251-1661 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with New Beginnings Family Law.

Colorado Jurisdiction and Domicile in Military Divorce Cases

Before a divorce can be filed in Colorado, at least one party must have been domiciled in the state for at least 91 days, per C.R.S. 14-10-106. Domicile and physical presence aren’t the same thing, and this distinction matters considerably in military cases.

A servicemember stationed in Fort Collins who intends to leave when the assignment ends may not meet Colorado’s domicile requirement. Conversely, a servicemember domiciled in Colorado can potentially file here even while stationed in another state. Determining which state has jurisdiction is one of the first questions in any military divorce, and getting it wrong can cause significant delays.

Military divorce cases for Fort Collins residents are filed with the Larimer County District Court at the Larimer County Justice Center. Colorado is a no-fault dissolution state: the only required grounds are that the marriage is irretrievably broken. After filing, Colorado imposes a mandatory 91-day waiting period before a final decree can be entered. When minor children are involved, they must generally have resided in Colorado for at least 182 days for Colorado courts to have jurisdiction over custody matters.

Military Pension Division and Property Considerations

The USFSPA gives Colorado courts authority to divide a servicemember’s disposable retired pay as marital property. The Freeze Time Formula, which is the current method used to calculate that division, determines the former spouse’s share based on the rank and years of service at the time of divorce rather than at retirement. This distinction can significantly affect the value of the benefit received.

Military retirement pay, and in some circumstances, VA disability pay, may be subject to garnishment to satisfy maintenance or child support obligations. Each branch of service also has its own regulations requiring members to provide interim financial support for dependents during separation, absent a court order, which can provide some financial structure in the period before a decree is entered.

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) elections and TRICARE healthcare eligibility for a former military spouse are easy to overlook but can carry long-term financial consequences. These issues may need to be addressed in the divorce decree itself and can’t easily be corrected after the fact.

Parenting Time and Custody When a Parent Is Deployed

Active-duty status adds complexity to parenting plan negotiations that civilian cases don’t face. Deployment, temporary duty assignments, and PCS moves can all disrupt a standard parenting schedule in ways that require planning well in advance.

When one or both parents are deployed, Colorado courts apply the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act to parenting time decisions. The Act provides a framework for temporary custody arrangements during deployment and the restoration of prior arrangements when the servicemember returns. Colorado courts require detailed, forward-looking parenting plans in military cases, typically including provisions for who holds temporary custody during a deployment and how the deployed parent can maintain regular communication with the children.

All custody and parenting time decisions in Colorado are based on the best interests of the child. In military cases, that standard accounts for the realities of service, including the potential for relocation and extended absences. A parenting plan that anticipates those realities rather than reacting to them can give both parents and the children more stability over time.

Client Reviews

We've Helped Thousands of People in Your Shoes

“
Tara and her team are thorough. They helped me with a smooth transition in my divorce proceedings.
Tara is understanding and works diligently for her clients. I felt seen and not pushed aside. She was always a phone call or message away. Responses are always on time.
Overall I highly recommend New Beginnings Family Law. Professionalism and heart.
”

- S. B.
One of a Kind
“Tara is one of the most professional people I have had the chance to work with. Her ability to solve problems and navigate different situations is absolutely incredible. From the very beginning, I was treated with respect and felt like I was the only priority. Her skills to calm any situation are one of a kind, and not just calming the situation, but calming you as well. You are treated like a human going through a difficult time. She shows compassion and empathy, all while getting everything done that needs to be done! I will refer her over and over again! You will not be disappointed!”

- Christina M.
She Was Amazing to Work With
“I have previously worked with Tara Adkins as a Paralegal on my case, and she was amazing to work with. She was caring, compassionate, walked me through the process, and was there every step of the way.”

- J.P.
So Helpful and Compassionate
“Tara Adkins was my legal representative throughout the divorce process. She showed great attention to detail and was so helpful and compassionate during an incredibly painful time in my life. I couldn't have navigated this complex process without her. Highly recommend Tara!”

- D.O.
She Helped Greatly
“She helped greatly to minimize expenses for a process that can be costly, and made it less stressful.Tara helped walk me through divorce proceedings in CO court, step by step. With an amicable divorce and good co-parenting relationship, we didn’t have complicated proceedings, but needed assistance with filing everything properly. She helped greatly”

- Nancy R.
Loved Working With Her
“I loved working with Tara. She is dependable, trustworthy and easy to reach and talk to. She is in your corner.”

- Iris L.
Relieved So Much Stress
“Tara was wonderful in providing advice through my legal matter. I called them in a panic and they were able to help me that SAME day! They were able to navigate around my concerns and having their advice relieved so much stress.”

- Teresa E.
Very Responsive
“Tara Adkins represented me throughout my divorce, she worked hard to protect my interests. She was very responsive to my communications and helped me make the best of a very difficult situation.”

- Tanner B.
Experience and Empathy
“Tara’s knowledge and efficiency was next level. Her experience and empathy surpassed my previous experiences with other firms. She showed professionalism and has an excellent communication style.”

- Former Client

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