Military Families and Frequent Moves

Service life adds unique twists to child support: frequent relocations, deployments, and a pay structure full of allowances. Getting the order right and keeping withholding steady protects kids during constant change.

Jurisdiction and CEJ. Start by confirming which state has continuing exclusive jurisdiction (CEJ) to modify your order. A parent’s military station does not automatically transfer CEJ; the issuing state retains it while a party or the child still lives there, unless everyone consents to move the case. When all move, you may modify where the service member resides or by written agreement in a convenient forum.

Military pay basics. Support calculations must decode LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) lines: base pay, BAH, BAS, COLA, special pays, and bonuses. Courts often count BAH (housing) and BAS (subsistence) as income because they reduce living costs, even though they’re allowances. Include a recent LES with every motion so the math is transparent. For Guard/Reserve, attach drill schedules and orders showing active duty periods.

Withholding through DFAS. Once an IWO is DFAS‑compliant, Defense Finance and Accounting Service processes deductions from military pay and sends funds to the SDU. Expect a short onboarding delay; bridge with manual SDU payments. If the member changes duty stations or components, withholding continues so long as DFAS remains the pay agent. For civilian contractor roles post‑separation, serve the civilian employer immediately.

Deployments and parenting time. Long deployments can reduce overnights and increase travel costs. Ask for parenting‑time credits only if your state permits them for military schedules, and seek travel‑expense clauses that split airfare or set per‑trip caps. Consider virtual‑contact provisions (video calls) to preserve parent‑child bonds without altering support unnecessarily.

SCRA protections. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act may permit stays of civil proceedings while on active duty and can protect against default judgments without proper affidavits. It does not eliminate support, but it can delay hearings or enforcement steps when service materially affects participation. File the required SCRA declarations and propose interim payments if you seek a stay.

Medical and childcare specifics. Tricare coverage and DoD childcare programs can affect add‑ons. Spell out who carries insurance, how reimbursements flow, and what happens when orders change locations. If a move triggers a waitlist for care, set temporary arrangements with clear cost‑sharing until on‑base slots open.

Transitions and retirement. For retirees, military retired pay is garnishable for support, and VA disability compensation involves special apportionment rules. If the service member elects VA disability that reduces retired pay, adjust calculations and orders accordingly. For large arrears, courts sometimes approve QDRO‑like orders (USFSPA-compliant) to collect from retirement streams—work with counsel familiar with military pay systems.

Communication channels. Use official addresses and email; unit mail can be unreliable. Provide LES updates whenever pay changes (promotion, COLA, deployment differential). Keep orders portable: include DFAS addresses, case numbers, and instructions for bonus/leave payouts to prevent missed withholding during special pay events.

Bottom line. Military moves don’t have to disrupt child support. Translate the LES, use DFAS‑ready IWOs, build travel and deployment clauses, and keep CEJ straight so payments stay predictable no matter where orders send the family.