Military Retirement Q.

I have a question regarding military retirement pay.

I was married for 8 years to an USAF member. We divorced 3 years ago. In the divorce decree was mentioned that I am entitled to 17% of my Ex-Husbands retirement which is coming up in a couple of years, but I would have to request it myself.
My questions are:
1)where would I apply for this.
2)where would I find info regarding procedure, forms etc.

Thanks much for any help

[gphjr]

this web site will give you the infomation you will need to collect your share of your former spouses retirement.www.militarydivorceonline.com/ go to USFSPA para 5 says:
In order to apply for payments under the Act, a completed application form (DD Form 2293) signed by a former spouse together with a certified copy of the applicable court order certified by the clerk of court within 90 days immediately preceding its service on this Center should be served either personally or by facsimile or by mail, upon the:


Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Cleveland Center, Code L
PO Box 998002
Cleveland, Ohio 44199-8002
(216) 522-5301 (Customer Service)

Good luck enjoy your dollars

Thank's so much for the response, it was very helpful!

I have more questions though:
1) My Ex-Husband has custodial custody (we have joint) of our 9 year old son. He is now limiting phone access from me to my son, and accuses me of emotional abuse because I asked my child if he wants to live with me now (since I became financially stabile). He sais it's emotional abuse to pressure my son like that (???). Can he just do what he wants, regulating access? Is there anything I can do?

2) The divorce decree states that I am eligible to receive 17% of my Ex-Husbands retirement. We were married 8 years. I heard that I had to be married 10 years in order to have the right of my share of my former spouses retirement. Is that correct?

I live in TX, My Ex-Husband is stationed in NM, and his residence is in NY. Please consider that I am german native, plain english is easier to understand. Thanks!

[gphjr]

Your welcome for the answers I gave. I'm no lawyer, remember that but from what I read the 10 year is used for 50% seekers. The judge in your case ordered 17% which you will receive when the time comes. You must include a copy of the decree when applying. As for you son, depending on his age. some day he may be able to choose which parent he wants to live with. I suggest that you see a lawyer concerning this matter. I also suggest that you keep your conversations with the child fun and helpful and wait until your visits to ask him to choose which parent he wants to live with. that is a lot of pressure to ask a young one to choose between parents. I understand your delima ( i hope I spelled it right) with your language. I spent 15 years in Germany myself. I beleive the website I gave you has links so search there for some of the answers you need.

I agree with gphjr that the Judge awarded you the 17% and you will get it; the Judge's ruling supersedes the retirement rules.

Regarding the change in custody of your son, it's not very likely. It would take a major change in circumstances to get the change. As long as he's well cared for and in a secure environment, it wouldn't matter that your financial stability has improved. For good reason, the courts frown on switching domiciles for children.

Your ex should not limit phone access to the child, but he is correct that you should not discuss living arrangements with the child. Discussions such as this should only be held between two people--you and your ex, and not within range of the child.

Thanks very much the both of you. I thought about the pressure issue that laid heavy on my mind and I agree, me missing my child so much made me react this way, which I shouldn't have. It's not easy to grow with your child when he is not around.

Also thank you for the help on the retirement question. This will not be something I benefit on, it will be strictly for a fund for my son.

This was very helpful information that eased my mind.

Claudia