Understanding Military Pay Garnishment for Child Support in Virginia

The best way to receive child support from your husband after a military divorce is for him to voluntary assign it to you. However, many couples struggle with working agreeably after their divorce. Sometimes it may be necessary to obtain an order for legal garnishment of military pay for child support in Virginia.

It's a comfort to know that federal law authorizes garnishment, or legal withholding, of wages for members of the military. You are legally entitled to receive your child support payments, even if your husband is deployed.

One caveat, though, is the military rules and stipulations that you'll need to follow in order to begin garnishing your husband's military pay to receive your child support payments. It's of prime importance to fully understand all the regulations you're required to follow. A Virginia family law attorney who is experienced with military divorce can help you with this subject.

The Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) is the organization that handles the requests for garnishment of wages for child support.

When you're trying to obtain child support from your husband's military pay, some of the information you're required to give the DFAS includes: 

• a legal child support order;
• the name, Social Security number, and date of birth of the military member; and
• the current military status and assignment. 

Military divorce poses additional regulations on obtaining child support of which you may not be aware. Avoid signing any paperwork without having a Virginia family law attorney that specializes in helping women through a military divorce counsel you on your rights.  

You'll want assistance in weeding through all the military paperwork and federal child support laws. You should also understand how to get your child support payments and learn about how child support can be withheld from your husband's military pay. 

Contacting a Virginia Child Support Attorney

There are very specific rules governing divorce in Virginia, especially when dealing with military divorce and military child support regulations.  At Hofheimer/Ferrebee we are committed to providing you with the experience and compassion you deserve and the successful results you need to move on with your life. Request a FREE copy of our divorce guide for women in Virginia, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar - 757-425-5200.