Military Divorce Financial Planning — From Someone Who's Been There

Why Beacon Divorce Financial Solutions is different

Edward J. Troscianiec, CDFA® | Commander, USN(Ret)

• 28 years of combined active duty + reserve service and Naval Aviator, retired as a US Navy Commander

• Went through a personal divorce while in uniform

• Served in Maine, Florida, Texas, California, Washington, Hawaii and locations overseas, giving me a firsthand understanding of what military life actually looks like from the inside

• Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) with over 25 years of financial advisory experience

• Serves clients nationwide, virtually, wherever you are stationed or living

I am not a civilian advisor who learned military benefits from a textbook. I lived this system for nearly three decades and navigated my own divorce inside it. Had I not known the deep financial aspects that were at risk, my own divorce would have had a dramatically different result. That experience is in the room with you every time we talk.

Wherever you are stationed, I can help

Military life means moving. I serve clients in all 50 states, virtually, on your schedule. Whether you are near a major installation or stationed overseas, distance is not a barrier to getting the right financial guidance.

I have personal experience living near installations across the country, including the Northeast, Southeast, Texas, California, the Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii. I understand the base communities, the cost of living differences, and the local resources that matter to military families.

The military financial issues that matter most in your divorce

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) An SBP election made at the wrong time, or not made at all, can cost a non-military spouse tens of thousands of dollars in long-term income. Understanding your SBP options before the divorce is finalized is critical.

Military Retirement and Pension Division A military pension earned over 20 or more years is often the largest marital asset in the room. I help you understand its true present value, how it gets divided under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA), and what a fair settlement actually looks like.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Division The TSP is divided differently from a civilian 401(k). A court order alone is not enough. A Retirement Benefits Court Order (RBCO) must meet specific TSP requirements. I make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

TRICARE Health Coverage If you have been on military health coverage, losing it in a divorce is a major financial event. I walk you through your continuation options under the 20/20/20 and 20/20/15 rules so you can plan ahead.

The 10/10 Rule and What It Really Means Many spouses are told they have no right to direct pension payment unless they meet the 10/10 rule, meaning 10 years of marriage overlapping 10 years of service. That is a payment logistics rule, not an entitlement rule. I make sure you understand what you are actually entitled to, not what someone assumed.

BAH and Support During Separation Basic Allowance for Housing changes when a service member separates from a household. Understanding how this affects temporary support calculations protects you during the process, not just at settlement.

Hidden Assets and Lifestyle Analysis I trace financial documents with the same discipline I applied during 28 years of military service. If assets are not adding up, I find out why.

Get your free Military Spouse Divorce Financial Checklist

Military divorces involve federal rules that most people, including many attorneys, do not fully understand. My Top 8 Military Spouse Divorce Financial Checklist gives you a clear picture of every financial item you need to protect before anything is finalized.

This checklist covers:

• SBP election decisions and deadlines

• TSP and retirement benefit protections

• TRICARE continuation rules

• The 10/10 rule and what it does and does not mean

• Military housing and support during separation

• What documents to gather before your first attorney meeting