Can a military judge grant a divorce to an active duty member?
No. Military judges only have jurisdiction over military criminal matters. A divorce is a civil matter and the laws governing divorce vary from state to state, therefore the Department of Defense has no jurisdiction over divorce cases. Q: How long will a divorce take? A: That depends on the state and county where the petition for divorce is filed. In Texas, a divorce can be finalized in as little as 60 days from the date the petition is filed (if all requirements are met). As a rule of thumb, however, you should plan on the entire process taking about six months. Q: Can an Air Force attorney represent me during my divorce? A: No. Judge advocates (military attorneys) cannot represent you in civil court, nor can they review or draft any divorce documents for you. What they can do is advise you on your divorce rights and give you a general idea of the divorce process and what you might expect. Q: Should I hire a civilian attorney to represent me during my divorce? A: That is your decision
