Blogs
Our team addresses the pressing questions you’re facing, breaks down recent legal developments, and provides timely guidance on the issues impacting your business, industry, and personal protection. From emerging trends to case law analysis, our attorneys share their expertise to help you navigate complex legal landscapes with confidence. Check back often for new posts.
Sports Entertainment & Media3>
Navigating Federal Benefits During a Divorce
Divorce in Florida can significantly affect a federal employee’s benefits, including health insurance, retirement and survivor benefits. Understanding these benefits and how they are affected will help you navigate the divorce process.
Federal retirement benefits
When going through a divorce, a primary concern is how the division of retirement benefits will work. Retirement benefits for federal employees are under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Typically, these retirement benefits are considered marital property, which means that they could be subject to division in a divorce.
Suppose retirement benefits obtained during a marriage are considered marital property. In that case, the division happens through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), an official court order that directs the retirement plan administrator to divide the benefits. Retirement benefit division between spouses happens according to the terms of a divorce decree.
Federal health benefits
Health insurance is another essential issue to consider during a divorce. Are you covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program? If so, your ex-spouse may be eligible to continue insurance coverage under your plan. This continued coverage is through the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) program. However, your ex-spouse will be responsible for paying a premium, and it can be expensive.
Federal survivor benefits
Finally, if you were married for at least nine months before your death, under CSRS or FERS, an ex-spouse may be eligible for survivor benefits. However, if the ex-spouse remarries before age 55, they may lose survivor benefit eligibility.

CONTACT: Aislynn Thomas-McDonald
PHONE: (305) 503-0850
EMAIL: athomasmcdonald@kelleykronenberg.com
About Aislynn Thomas-McDonald and Kelley Kronenberg
Aislynn Thomas-McDonald serves as Partner and Business Unit Leader at Kelley Kronenberg, where she focuses on family law and probate matters. Her comprehensive practice encompasses divorce, paternity, timesharing, child support matters, adoption, collaborative divorce, wills and trusts, guardianship, and elder law. Prior to joining Kelley Kronenberg, Aislynn established herself as a respected family law practitioner, earning an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.
Aislynn strives to provide concierge support to her clients through understanding their objectives and goals, advising them honestly about the best course of action. She works to resolve issues without proceeding to litigation and then will advocate zealously when a case does move in that direction. Her commitment extends beyond legal practice through extensive community involvement and advocacy for domestic violence awareness, children’s legal advocacy, and women’s rights.
- Divorce and legal separation
- Child custody and timesharing
- Child support and alimony
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
- Adoption
- Collaborative divorce
- Domestic violence protection
- Paternity matters
By joining Kelley Kronenberg, Attorneys at Law, in 2025, Aislynn is able to continue offering concierge legal service with the resources of a full-service large law firm. This combination provides clients with personalized attention backed by comprehensive legal resources and support.
Aislynn is dedicated to providing top-quality legal services to residents throughout South Florida and the Florida Keys. Her practice is based in Miami and serves clients throughout the region with both local expertise and broader legal resources.
To schedule a consultation with Aislynn Thomas-McDonald at Kelley Kronenberg, contact their Miami office. During your initial consultation, she will evaluate your specific situation, explain your legal options, and develop a strategy tailored to your unique circumstances and goals.
Throughout every case, Aislynn demonstrates sensitivity to both the emotional and legal challenges her clients are facing and works to reach terms that are agreeable to all parties. Your first meeting will focus on understanding your situation, discussing your objectives, and outlining potential paths forward with honest, practical advice.
Yes, Aislynn Thomas-McDonald is experienced in collaborative divorce, which offers couples a way to resolve their differences outside of traditional litigation. This approach focuses on cooperation, open communication, and finding mutually beneficial solutions while minimizing emotional and financial costs.
As a full-service law firm, Kelley Kronenberg provides access to specialists across multiple practice areas when family law cases involve complex financial matters, business valuations, tax implications, or other specialized legal issues that may arise during divorce or estate planning proceedings.
Divorce in Florida can significantly affect a federal employee’s benefits, including health insurance, retirement and survivor benefits. Understanding these benefits and how they are affected will help you navigate the divorce process.
Federal retirement benefits
When going through a divorce, a primary concern is how the division of retirement benefits will work. Retirement benefits for federal employees are under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Typically, these retirement benefits are considered marital property, which means that they could be subject to division in a divorce.
Suppose retirement benefits obtained during a marriage are considered marital property. In that case, the division happens through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), an official court order that directs the retirement plan administrator to divide the benefits. Retirement benefit division between spouses happens according to the terms of a divorce decree.
Federal health benefits
Health insurance is another essential issue to consider during a divorce. Are you covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program? If so, your ex-spouse may be eligible to continue insurance coverage under your plan. This continued coverage is through the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) program. However, your ex-spouse will be responsible for paying a premium, and it can be expensive.
Federal survivor benefits
Finally, if you were married for at least nine months before your death, under CSRS or FERS, an ex-spouse may be eligible for survivor benefits. However, if the ex-spouse remarries before age 55, they may lose survivor benefit eligibility.
CONTACT: Aislynn Thomas-McDonald
PHONE: (305) 503-0850
EMAIL: athomasmcdonald@kelleykronenberg.com
About Aislynn Thomas-McDonald and Kelley Kronenberg
Aislynn Thomas-McDonald serves as Partner and Business Unit Leader at Kelley Kronenberg, where she focuses on family law and probate matters. Her comprehensive practice encompasses divorce, paternity, timesharing, child support matters, adoption, collaborative divorce, wills and trusts, guardianship, and elder law. Prior to joining Kelley Kronenberg, Aislynn established herself as a respected family law practitioner, earning an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.
Aislynn strives to provide concierge support to her clients through understanding their objectives and goals, advising them honestly about the best course of action. She works to resolve issues without proceeding to litigation and then will advocate zealously when a case does move in that direction. Her commitment extends beyond legal practice through extensive community involvement and advocacy for domestic violence awareness, children’s legal advocacy, and women’s rights.
- Divorce and legal separation
- Child custody and timesharing
- Child support and alimony
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
- Adoption
- Collaborative divorce
- Domestic violence protection
- Paternity matters
By joining Kelley Kronenberg, Attorneys at Law, in 2025, Aislynn is able to continue offering concierge legal service with the resources of a full-service large law firm. This combination provides clients with personalized attention backed by comprehensive legal resources and support.
Aislynn is dedicated to providing top-quality legal services to residents throughout South Florida and the Florida Keys. Her practice is based in Miami and serves clients throughout the region with both local expertise and broader legal resources.
To schedule a consultation with Aislynn Thomas-McDonald at Kelley Kronenberg, contact their Miami office. During your initial consultation, she will evaluate your specific situation, explain your legal options, and develop a strategy tailored to your unique circumstances and goals.
Throughout every case, Aislynn demonstrates sensitivity to both the emotional and legal challenges her clients are facing and works to reach terms that are agreeable to all parties. Your first meeting will focus on understanding your situation, discussing your objectives, and outlining potential paths forward with honest, practical advice.
Yes, Aislynn Thomas-McDonald is experienced in collaborative divorce, which offers couples a way to resolve their differences outside of traditional litigation. This approach focuses on cooperation, open communication, and finding mutually beneficial solutions while minimizing emotional and financial costs.
As a full-service law firm, Kelley Kronenberg provides access to specialists across multiple practice areas when family law cases involve complex financial matters, business valuations, tax implications, or other specialized legal issues that may arise during divorce or estate planning proceedings.
