Experienced Military Divorce Lawyer Serving Mandeville, LA and the Surrounding Areas
A military divorce can affect where your children live, how often you see them, and whether you can rely on retirement and other benefits you worked hard to earn. When you also have deployments, training, or possible PCS orders on the horizon, it can feel like there is no clear way forward.
At Lindsey S. Olsen, Attorney at Law, we help service members, veterans, and military spouses in this area work through these decisions with practical, steady guidance. Our firm focuses on family law, and we understand how military service adds extra layers to separation and divorce. You do not have to untangle Louisiana law and military related rules on your own.
We take time to understand your family, your service obligations, and your goals for life after divorce. Our approach is grounded and realistic, so you receive real world advice instead of theories. To talk about your situation confidentially, you can call (985) 256-3553 and speak with our team.
To speak with our experienced St. Tammany Parish military divorce lawyers, call us at (985) 256-3553or contact us online today.
Why Military Families Choose Our Firm
When you are facing the end of a marriage, you need more than textbook explanations of the law. You need an attorney who will listen, ask practical questions, and help you make decisions you can live with long term. That is how we approach military divorce for families connected to St. Tammany Parish.
We start by learning what your daily life looks like, including your duty station, upcoming moves, and your children’s routines. From there, we work with you to develop a plan that fits real schedules and real budgets. Our goal is to give you clear options, explain the tradeoffs, and help you choose the path that best protects your family.
Clients turn to Lindsey S. Olsen, Attorney at Law because we are based here in St. Tammany Parish and committed to ongoing relationships. Many families come back to us later for modifications, enforcement, or other family law needs as service obligations and children’s needs change. We strive to provide compassionate support at every stage, so you feel heard rather than rushed or judged.
Being located here also means we are familiar with how family cases move through the parish courthouse. This local perspective helps us prepare you for what to expect at each stage. Combined with our practical mindset, it allows us to guide military families through a very stressful chapter with greater confidence.
How Military Divorce Works Here
A military divorce follows many of the same basic steps as any other divorce in Louisiana, but your service status can affect where you file, how the court views timelines, and what property is on the table. Understanding these differences ahead of time can reduce surprises and tension.
Louisiana is a community property state. That means the court generally looks at what was earned or acquired during the marriage, then determines what is marital and what is separate. For military families, this often includes base pay, certain allowances, and possibly a portion of future military retirement, depending on how long you were married while in service.
Jurisdiction is another key issue for service members and spouses. A case may be filed in this parish when there is a sufficient connection to the area, even if one spouse is stationed in another state or overseas. We talk with you about your residence history and current assignments to help determine where it may be appropriate to file and how that could affect your timeline.
Service obligations can also affect scheduling and participation. Courts can take deployments and training into account when setting hearings, though specific accommodations depend on the judge and the details of your case. We work with you to plan ahead, so you can participate as fully as possible without ignoring your duties.
Throughout this process, our role is to walk you through each step and explain what the court is looking for. We help you gather the right information, understand your options before you sign anything, and prepare for the significant decisions that come with working with a military divorce lawyer St. Tammany Parish.
Custody, Support, & Military Benefits
For many military parents, the biggest concern is how custody and parenting time will work when duty stations change or deployments arise. Courts typically focus on the best interests of the child, and that includes maintaining meaningful relationships with both parents when it is safe and appropriate.
Parenting plans for military families often need extra flexibility. A plan might address how communication will occur during deployment, how make up time will be handled when a parent returns, and how holidays or summers are shared when parents live in different states. We work with you to propose arrangements that are realistic, child centered, and mindful of your service commitments.
Support is another central concern. Child support and spousal support can involve base pay and certain allowances. The court typically looks at income available to each spouse and the needs of the children. We help you understand what information to provide and how different sources of military income may be considered.
Benefits and retirement often raise complex questions. Military retirement may be treated as community property in some circumstances, and certain federal rules influence how it can be divided or paid. Health care coverage and access to other benefits can also change after divorce, depending on the length of the marriage and service overlap. We explain the general frameworks and then apply them to your specific facts, so you know which questions to raise and what choices you have.
Our focus is on long term stability for you and your children. Rather than chasing short term wins, we look at how today’s decisions about custody, support, and benefits will feel years from now. When you work with a military divorce attorney St. Tammany Parish through our firm, you receive guidance that aims to support your life beyond the courtroom.
What To Do If You Are Considering Divorce
Thinking about divorce while serving or supporting someone in the military can feel overwhelming. There may be pressure from family, your chain of command, or your spouse to act quickly. Taking a few deliberate steps early can protect your options and reduce conflict later.
Before you make major decisions, such as moving children out of housing or signing informal agreements, it helps to understand your rights and obligations under Louisiana law. An initial conversation with our firm can give you a clearer picture of what you are facing and how timing, service issues, and finances might affect your case.
Helpful first steps before or at the start of a military divorce:
Gather basic financial documents, such as LES statements, tax returns, and account summaries.
Write down upcoming deployments, training dates, or potential PCS orders that may affect scheduling.
Think about your children’s routines, schooling, and support systems, and what you hope to preserve for them.
Avoid making promises about custody, support, or property until you have received legal advice.
Schedule a consultation so you can ask questions tailored to your circumstances.
During an initial consultation, we typically discuss your goals, your service status, and any urgent issues such as safety or relocation. We then outline possible paths and explain what information we would need if you choose to move forward. Our aim is to make an unfamiliar process feel more manageable, one step at a time.
Working With A Local Military Divorce Lawyer
Choosing a local attorney who understands both family law and military life can make a difficult process more predictable. Because we are based in St. Tammany Parish, we are familiar with how family matters are scheduled and handled at the parish courthouse. This perspective helps us prepare you for hearings and conferences and gives you a sense of what to expect.
We also recognize that many of our clients are not always nearby. If you are deployed, stationed in another state, or frequently in the field, regular office visits may not be possible. We work to accommodate those realities through flexible communication methods and clear updates, so you can stay informed without having to be present for every detail.
Our relationship driven approach means we look beyond the immediate divorce. Military families often face later changes in station, children’s needs, or income that may require custody or support modifications. When that happens, we want you to feel comfortable coming back to us for guidance instead of starting over with someone new.
A military divorce lawyer St. Tammany Parish through Lindsey S. Olsen, Attorney at Law offers a combination of local knowledge, practical planning, and compassionate support. If you are ready to talk about your next steps, we invite you to reach out.
To speak with our experienced St. Tammany Parish military divorce lawyers, call us at (985) 256-3553or contact us online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Is A Military Divorce Different From A Regular Divorce?
A military divorce follows Louisiana law, but service can affect jurisdiction, timing, and what property is involved. Military pay, retirement, and deployments often require extra planning. We help you understand how these factors may apply to your case so you can make informed choices.
What Happens To My Military Retirement If We Divorce?
Military retirement may be treated as community property in some situations, and federal rules influence how it can be shared or paid. The outcome depends on your marriage length and service overlap. We review your history and explain the options and limits that may apply.
How Will Deployment Or PCS Orders Affect Child Custody?
Deployments and PCS orders can affect parenting time, but courts focus on the child’s best interests. Plans can include provisions for communication, make up time, and long distance schedules. We work with you to propose arrangements that recognize your service while supporting your children.
Can We Work Together If I Am Stationed Outside Louisiana?
In many cases, yes, as long as there is a sufficient connection to this area for filing. We use phone, video, and secure document sharing to keep you involved even when you are away. During a consultation, we can discuss whether filing here is appropriate.
How Much Will It Cost To Hire Your Firm?
The cost of a military divorce depends on factors such as complexity, conflict level, and the number of issues in dispute. During your initial conversation, we explain our fee structure and expected steps, so you have a clearer sense of potential costs before deciding how to proceed.
To speak with our experienced St. Tammany Parish military divorce lawyers, call us at (985) 256-3553or contact us online today.
Lindsey S. Olsen
Lindsey is a lifelong resident of the Northshore, having graduated from Fontainebleau High School. She then went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University, and her Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. During her time spent at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, she was a student practitioner in the Family Law Section of the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice.
“She is very organized and efficient and clearly explained the final steps of the process.”
Lindsey Olsen provided an excellent service and put her vast knowledge of family and estate planning on full display. She is a true professional and made all of the concerning legal matters regarding our wills and continuing tutorship for our special needs son a walk in the park. She is very organized and efficient and clearly explained the final steps of the process. We enjoyed working with Lindsey and certainly recommend her to other prospective clients.
Lisa & Craig
“I am so grateful for her services.”
Lindsey has such a calm and empathetic demeanor. She offered so much emotional support for my family and I while remaining focused on our best interest at all times, she explains everything in detail, and is readily available to answer any of my questions. Lindsey is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and to the point. I am so grateful for her services.
Amanda
“Proved to be reliable, trustworthy and honest.”
When my father passed away. We reached out to Lindsey Olsen to do his succession. It was a very difficult time for my mother, brother, and I. She was incredibly patient and professional. All our questions were answered and the process was as smooth as possible. She proved to be reliable, trustworthy and honest. We will definitely use her services again.
