# How the Service Members Civil Relief Act May Affect Your Case | Brown Family Law The Service members Civil Relief Act is a federal law that protects the legal rights of military service members while they are on active duty. The SCRA allows service members to delay certain legal proceedings, including divorce and child custody proceedings, for at least 90 days. This can have important impacts on your divorce or child custody case. The purpose of the SCRA is to allow service members to devote all of their energy to defending the nation. Under the SCRA, a service member can obtain a 90-day stay of court or administrative proceedings. In some cases, the service member may be able to delay the proceeding longer than 90 days. The SCRA applies only to civil proceedings, such as [family law](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/utah/family-lawyer/) proceedings. The Act does not apply to criminal proceedings. Get Clear Guidance for Your Divorce [Schedule a Consultation](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/contact-us/) Service members who are deployed can also invoke their rights under the SCRA. For example, if a service member’s ex requests to change the [child custody](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/salt-lake-city-ut/child-custody-lawyer/) arrangement while the service member is deployed, the service member can request a stay under the SCRA. The SCRA can then ensure that the service member has the opportunity to respond to the request and protect his or her parental rights. A Calmer, Clearer Way Through Divorce [Talk to Our Team](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/contact-us/) If a court grants a service member’s request for a delay under the SCRA, it may take much longer for a court to issue orders in your case. The service member will have more time to respond to any motions filed with the court, and the court may postpone hearings so that the service member can arrange to be present. These delays can be very frustrating to the parties involved in the case, especially to the nonmilitary spouse or parent. ![Brown Law Logo](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/themes/brown-family-law/assets/app/img/logo-white.png) Support Through Your Toughest Transition [Call ![call-arrow](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/themes/brown-family-law/assets/app/svg/cta-call.svg)801-685-9999](tel:+18016859999) Remember that a judge can enter temporary orders even if the case is delayed. Under Utah law, family courts can issue temporary orders regarding both financial and parenting issues. Such issues include alimony, property distribution, child support, [child custody](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/salt-lake-city-ut/child-custody-lawyer/), and attorney fees. If you are a military member who is going through a divorce or dealing with a child custody dispute, consider speaking with an experienced attorney. An attorney who is familiar with federal laws and the special issues that military families face can help you with your case. Source: Military OneSource, “Child Custody Considerations for Members of the Military,” Accessed Nov. 30, 2015 Military Divorce Blog Posts: [![Understanding the Impact of a Divorce on Military Families](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/understanding-the-impact-of-a-divorce-on-military-families-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/understanding-the-impact-of-a-divorce-on-military-families/) ### [Understanding the Impact of a Divorce on Military Families](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/understanding-the-impact-of-a-divorce-on-military-families/) The sacrifices made by service members and their families are rarely known or understood by people outside of the [![Special Considerations for Military Divorces](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/special-considerations-for-military-divorces-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/special-considerations-for-military-divorces/) ### [Special Considerations for Military Divorces](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/special-considerations-for-military-divorces/) Military couples that are getting divorced face unique challenges. After the decision to get divorced is made, the [![Service Members and Spouses - Rights Under USFSPA](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/service-members-and-spouses-rights-under-usfspa-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/service-members-and-spouses-rights-under-usfspa/) ### [Service Members and Spouses - Rights Under USFSPA](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/service-members-and-spouses-rights-under-usfspa/) Divorce, child custody and child support proceedings in Salt Lake County involving active duty and retired military [![Military Members and the Divorce Process](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/military-members-and-the-divorce-process-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/military-members-and-the-divorce-process/) ### [Military Members and the Divorce Process](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/military-members-and-the-divorce-process/) Military members or their spouses living in Utah may need to understand the additional considerations they have when --- Source: https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/faqs/how-the-service-members-civil-relief-act-may-affect-your-case/