Military Divorce in Newport RI and Child Support Issues

Newport RI Military Family Law Office secured a reasonable award of child support from father on active duty for infant child.

Military Divorce Awards Child Support

Military Divorce of parties with one child, less than a year old. Husband was on active duty. Wife’s attorney contacted us to assist her with trying to understand what the military requires of its members who have children, and how that differs from the family court.

Ultimately, after consulting with us, the attorney initiated a “Congressional Inquiry” to determine why actions were not being taken by the military to require the soldier to support his child.

Within days thereafter, a garnishment of his wages took place and the mother began to receive her support.


CAVEAT: EACH CASE IS FACT SPECIFIC AND WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED IN THESE CASES MAY NOT “FIT” YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION OR BE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST.

Client Review for Newport Estate Attorney

A Lifelong Client of Jeremy's Left a Personal Testimonial

I have known Jeremy Howe for almost thirty years, and when it came time to write my will and plan my estate, there was no doubt about who my attorney would be. 

Jeremy takes the hassle out of the process of drafting all the necessary paperwork and does it for a very reasonable fee. He has offered advice when he thought it would be beneficial, and has always been there when I had questions about how to handle a specific situation. 

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Child Support: It matters where you file!

I was reading a recent New Hampshire case regarding whether Massachusetts child support laws should be applied in the New Hampshire court, or if New Hampshire laws should apply. The order was originally made in Massachusetts, but the custodial parent then moved to New Hampshire.

The answer is, as we lawyers often like to say, "It depends."

The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) dictates what rules apply and when, if an Order is being reviewed in a different state than where the original action took place.

A simple example of why it matters, is that Massachusetts laws require that child support should be paid until the children are 21 years old. The Rhode Island laws state that support is only paid until the child reaches 18, or if the child turns 18 while in high school, three months after graduation. In no event, however, unless the child is disabled, will support be paid beyond the child's 19th birthday.

Given the close proximity of the states, unmarried people with children often travel from Rhode Island into Massachusetts before filing a court action, or vice versa. Your timeline will determine where you can file, but it is important to know if you have choice! It may make a big difference.

Contact our office with any of your child support questions at 401-841-5700, or go to our website at www.CounselFirst.com for more information.