Military Divorce Attorney in Frisco

A West Point Graduate Serving Frisco Military Families Since 2007

Founding attorney John Haugen is a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army Captain. That background shapes how we approach every military divorce case: with a clear understanding of how service obligations affect family life and what military families stand to lose when a divorce isn’t handled carefully. Since 2007, Haugen Law Firm, P.C. has represented individuals and families throughout Denton, Dallas, and Collin Counties.

If you’re facing a military divorce in the Frisco area, we’re ready to help you work through the jurisdictional, financial, and logistical questions that make these cases different. Call us at (972) 460-6798 to schedule a consultation.

Where Frisco Military Divorce Cases Are Filed

Frisco sits primarily in Collin County, with a smaller western portion extending into Denton County. For most Frisco residents, a divorce case is filed with the Collin County District Clerk and heard at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building in McKinney. Confirming which county court has authority before you file can save time and avoid procedural complications.

Texas generally requires a person to have been domiciled in the state for six months and a resident of the filing county for 90 days before a divorce can proceed. For service members, these rules work differently. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.303, time spent outside the state or county on active duty still counts as Texas residence. Under Section 6.304, a service member stationed at a Texas military installation for at least six months and in a county for at least 90 days can qualify as a Texas resident for divorce purposes, even without prior Texas residency. We confirm which rule applies before a single document is filed.

Dividing Military Retirement Pay & Benefits in Texas

Military retirement, Thrift Savings Plan accounts, and related benefits are often treated as marital property subject to division in a Texas divorce. The outcome depends on factors including the length of service, how long the marriage overlapped with that service, and the structure of the retirement. We review a client’s military service and retirement records and explain how the law addresses these assets in their specific situation.

Three federal frameworks shape how these divisions work in practice:

• Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA): Federal law that allows disposable military retired pay to be treated as marital property subject to division under state divorce law.
• The 10/10 rule: Determines whether the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can pay a former spouse’s share of retirement directly, rather than routing it through the service member.
• The 20/20/20 rule: Governs whether a former spouse remains eligible for benefits such as TRICARE health coverage after divorce, based on the length of the marriage, the length of service, and how much they overlapped.

Deployment, PCS Moves, & Court Deadlines

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protects active duty members from being penalized when deployment makes it impossible to appear in court. A service member deployed overseas can’t face a default judgment simply because they couldn’t show up. Some court deadlines may also be affected by these federal protections depending on the circumstances of a given case.

Deployments and permanent change of station moves can raise distinct child custody and visitation scheduling questions that a standard parenting plan won’t address. We coordinate case planning around a client’s deployment schedule and stay in contact by phone, secure email, and video when needed. Case work can continue while you’re away.

How We Handle Frisco Military Divorce Cases

No two military divorces involve the same combination of assets, custody concerns, and timing pressures. We build a legal strategy around each client’s actual circumstances rather than applying a fixed formula. When the facts support a negotiated resolution, we work toward one. When a case requires courtroom advocacy, we’re prepared for that too.

Schedule a Military Divorce Consultation

We offer remote consultations for clients throughout the Frisco area, so geography and busy schedules don’t stand between you and sound legal guidance. Active duty military members receive a 20% discount on legal fees, and retired or veteran military members receive a 10% discount. During the consultation, we can walk through the likely cost drivers for your case based on how contested the issues are and how much court involvement may be required.

To schedule your consultation with Haugen Law Firm, P.C., call (972) 460-6798.