Legal Definitions - military allotment

A military allotment is a specific arrangement in family law where a portion of an active-duty U.S. military service member's pay is automatically deducted and sent directly to another parent to fulfill a child support obligation. This mechanism ensures consistent financial support for children when one parent is serving in the armed forces, streamlining the payment process and reducing potential administrative complexities.

• Example 1: Deployment and Remote Payments

  Sergeant Elena Rodriguez is an active-duty Marine deployed overseas for an extended period. She has a court order to pay child support to her former spouse, David, for their two children. To ensure that David receives the support payments consistently and on time, even while Elena is in a combat zone with limited access to banking facilities, a military allotment is established. A set amount is automatically deducted from Elena's monthly military paycheck and directly transferred to David's bank account. This arrangement guarantees the children receive their financial support without interruption, regardless of Elena's location or ability to manage manual payments.

• Example 2: Frequent Relocations and Administrative Stability

  Commander Mark Chen is a Navy officer who frequently receives new assignments, requiring him to relocate to different bases across the country every few years. He has a child support obligation to his ex-wife, Sarah, for their daughter. Due to the constant changes in his duty station and the potential for administrative hurdles that could arise with each move, a military allotment is set up. This means that a fixed sum for child support is automatically withheld from Commander Chen's pay by the military's finance department and sent directly to Sarah. This system provides stability and reliability for Sarah and their daughter, ensuring consistent support payments despite Commander Chen's dynamic military career.