NAS Jacksonville · Fourth Circuit

NAS Jax Military Divorce Attorney.
USFSPA, SCRA & Florida Family Law.

Steven C. Fraser represents NAS Jacksonville sailors, spouses, and dependents through every phase of military divorce — USFSPA pension division, SCRA deployment stays, TRICARE continuation, Survivor Benefit Plan elections, and BAH treatment in support. With 25+ years of experience and dual Florida/DC bar admission, Attorney Fraser handles every case personally. P-8A maritime patrol squadrons, helicopter maritime strike, FRCSE, NAVFAC SE — all of it.

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Quick Answer

Steven C. Fraser, Esq.FL Bar No. 625825, DC Bar No. 460026, FL Supreme Court Certified Mediator (Cert. No. 37256 CFR) — represents NAS Jacksonville sailors and dependents in military divorce throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Federal layer: USFSPA, SCRA, TRICARE 20/20/20 and 20/20/15, Survivor Benefit Plan, BAH/BAS. Tenant commands covered: VP-5, VP-8, VP-10, VP-16, VP-30, VP-45, CPRW-11, HSM-40, HSM-70, HSM-72, HSM-74, FRCSE, NAVFAC Southeast. Free consultation: 877-862-7188.

Military Divorce at NAS Jacksonville

P-8A, HSM Squadrons & Federal-Layer Family Law

Naval Air Station Jacksonville is the world’s largest base for the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, with VP squadrons cycling through long deployments and FRP/IDRC training. Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadrons add another layer, deploying with surface combatants and carrier strike groups. Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) and NAVFAC Southeast headquarter additional commands. Many service members live off-base in Orange Park, Westside Jacksonville, Whitehouse, Yukon, and Lakeshore — bringing both Duval and Clay County jurisdictional questions into family law.

Military divorce involves federal-statutory layers that civilian divorce does not: USFSPA on pension division, SCRA on deployment stays, TRICARE 20/20/20 and 20/20/15 on health-care continuation, and Survivor Benefit Plan on post-death pension income. Each layer interacts with Florida equitable distribution, alimony under SB 1416, and Fla. Stat. § 61.13 timesharing.

Federal Layer — In Brief

USFSPA, SCRA, TRICARE, SBP, BAH

USFSPA (Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act). Military retired pay is marital property to the extent earned during marriage. Florida applies equitable distribution to the marital portion. The 10/10 rule (10 years married overlapping 10 years of creditable service) governs whether DFAS pays the former spouse directly — below 10/10, the court can still order division.

SCRA (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act). Active-duty members may request a stay of civil proceedings — including divorce — for a minimum of 90 days when military duties materially affect ability to appear. The court may extend further; default judgment requires appointed counsel.

TRICARE. 20/20/20 = 20 years married overlapping 20 years of service, full TRICARE for life. 20/20/15 = 20 years married overlapping 15+ years of service, 1-year TRICARE bridge. Below either, CHCBP for 36 months.

SBP (Survivor Benefit Plan). Provides post-death pension income to a surviving former spouse. Former-spouse coverage requires a deemed election or court order within one year of divorce, plus written notice to DFAS.

BAH/BAS. Both housing and subsistence allowances are typically counted as gross income for support calculations under Fla. Stat. § 61.30.

Practice Areas Served from NAS Jax

Military Family Law Representation

Military Divorce Overview

USFSPA, SCRA, TRICARE, SBP, BAH — all federal layers integrated with Florida law.

Military divorce →

Divorce

Contested and uncontested dissolution under Fla. Stat. § 61.001 et seq.

Divorce overview →

Child Custody

Parenting plans, deployment-clause language, § 61.13001 relocation analysis.

Custody overview →

Alimony

SB 1416 reform — durational caps interact with USFSPA division.

Alimony overview →

Family Mediation

FL Supreme Court Certified Mediator. Available statewide as neutral.

Mediation →

Fees

Flat fee uncontested; hourly with retainer for contested matters.

Fee schedule →
Frequently Asked Questions

NAS Jax Military Divorce Questions

I'm stationed at NAS Jax — where do I file for divorce?
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Service members at NAS Jacksonville may file in Florida if either spouse resided in Florida for 6 months, or rely on the service member's state of legal residence (HOR). Duval-residing parties file in Duval County. Service members in Orange Park file in Clay County. Federal protections (USFSPA, SCRA) apply regardless of which Florida county.
I deploy soon — does SCRA protect me from default judgment?
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Yes. SCRA allows an active-duty member to request a stay of civil proceedings (including divorce) for a minimum of 90 days when duties materially affect ability to appear. Courts may extend further. SCRA also prevents default judgment without the court appointing counsel for the absent service member.
How is my P-8A squadron retirement (USFSPA) divided?
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Military retired pay is divisible as marital property under USFSPA. Florida applies equitable distribution to the marital portion. The 10/10 rule governs DFAS direct pay. Below 10/10, the court can still order division — payment must come from the service member.
I'm a military spouse and lose TRICARE — 20/20/20 vs 20/20/15?
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20/20/20: 20 years married overlapping 20 years service — full TRICARE for life. 20/20/15: 20 years married overlapping 15+ years service — 1-year TRICARE bridge. Below either, CHCBP 36-month bridge option.
What about the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)?
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SBP provides post-death pension income to a surviving former spouse. Former-spouse coverage requires a deemed election or court order within one year of divorce, plus written notice to DFAS. Missed deadline = permanent loss of SBP eligibility. SBP elections are commonly negotiated in the MSA.

NAS Jax Free Consultation

Speak directly with Attorney Fraser. Phone or video. Same-week appointments. SCRA-aware scheduling.