Men and women serving in the military play a vital role in protecting our country every single day. On behalf of our Team at The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, we want to thank all active duty, enlisted, non-active duty and veterans in all of the United States military branches for their service and defending our Nation. The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes has been representing all military members for almost a decade. We have the upmost pride and vast experience in doing so. We are dedicated to helping all members of the military through all aspects and stages of the divorce process, as well as all family law matters in Illinois.

In military divorces, federal and state laws have been enacted to provide legal protection to active duty military service members involved in divorce, parentage or custody cases. If you or your spouse serve in the military and are considering divorce, you need an experienced military divorce attorney who has vast knowledge of the special statutes and procedures that will apply to your divorce process.

Military Protection in Divorce Actions

If you are on active duty and your civilian spouse files for a divorce in Illinois, you may be concerned whether you will receive proper notice and whether you will be able to actively participate in the divorce proceeding. There are several federal laws that protect active duty military service members from being held in “default” (i.e for failing to respond to a divorce action). These laws were enacted to protect active service members from having divorce proceedings initiated and completed without their knowledge.

If your spouse has filed for divorce, and you would like to participate in the divorce proceeding, but are presently deployed and are unable to participate until you return, you are able to postpone your divorce proceeding while you are deployed. The law provides that your case can be postponed for up to 60 days after your active duty ends under The Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act. This statute was enacted to protect active duty service members from a divorce action while serving in combat.

If you have received notice that your spouse has filed for divorce, you need to contact The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes immediately so we can ensure the court is aware of your deployment and you are not defaulted in your divorce proceeding. You have the right to participate in your divorce proceeding. If you are currently deployed our Firm has developed and employed various options so that you can communicate with our office. Unlike the majority of Family Law Firms, we can be available to discuss your case after hours and weekends to ensure that you are provided with the legal representation that works with your current  work schedule. Additionally, if it strategically benefits you to postpone your divorce proceeding until you return, we will advise you of such. It is vitally important to speak with our military divorce attorneys today to understand your rights and obligations when you or your spouse is actively serving in the military and may be pursing a divorce.

Serving an Active Military Spouse

If you are a civilian spouse filing for divorce, you will be required to serve your active duty military service spouse with a copy of the divorce petition and the summons. If your spouse is stationed overseas, the Hague Convention on Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents will require a copy of the divorce actions and summons to be served in the local language, regardless of whether you or your spouse speak that language. If you are a civilian spouse thinking of filing for divorce, you need to contact The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes today to speak with our military divorce attorneys who can help guide you through the process and help you understand the laws surrounding a military divorce, to ensure you can make the best decisions for you and your family.

Contact Us Today

If you or your spouse are in the military and wish to start the divorce process, contact The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes today to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive what you are legally entitled to. Our firm is dedicated to helping individuals through all aspects and stages of the military divorce process and all family law matters in Illinois including in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will and other surrounding counties. Do not leave the outcome of your financial future to chance. Call us at (773) 893-0228 for a complementary phone consultation today.