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Lawyers Without Billboards
Real lawyers, real talk—without the billboards. Lawyers Without Billboards is an unfiltered look at family law, hosted by the partners of Shewmaker & Lewis: Steve and Patty Shewmaker, and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis.
With decades of experience in divorce, custody battles, child support, alimony, and criminal law, they break down legal myths, share expert insights, and dive into real cases (sometimes with a side of humor).
Expect candid conversations, legal deep dives, and the occasional sidebar on pop culture, legal movies, and life as family law attorneys. Whether you're navigating a family law issue, practicing law yourself, or just enjoy courtroom drama, this podcast offers valuable insights with a dose of levity.
New episodes every two weeks
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Lawyers Without Billboards
Military Pensions Explained: The 10-10 Rule, DFAS & High-36 | Lawyers Without Billboards S2 - Ep8
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Military retirement benefits can be one of the most valuable — and most misunderstood — assets in a divorce.
In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down the fundamentals of military pensions, including the often-confused 10-10 Rule, how DFAS works, and what “High-36” really means.
They explain how military retirement differs from private-sector pensions, why the 20-year “cliff vesting” rule matters, and what can go wrong when attorneys draft unclear or incorrect pension language in settlement agreements.
Whether you're a service member, spouse, or attorney handling a military divorce, this episode provides practical insight into:
• How military pensions are calculated
• The difference between the old retirement system and the blended retirement system
• What the 10-10 Rule actually does (and doesn’t do)
• When DFAS will pay a former spouse directly
• Common drafting mistakes that create major problems later
• Why “pay me now or pay me later” applies to military pension division
Military pension division is nuanced, technical, and full of traps for the unwary. Getting it right matters.
⏱ Chapter Markers
00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – What Is a Military Pension?
02:30 – Cliff Vesting: The 20-Year Rule
04:30 – Active Duty vs. Reserve Retirement
07:00 – How Military Pensions Are Calculated (High-36 Explained)
10:00 – The Blended Retirement System vs. the Old System
13:30 – The 10-10 Rule: What It Actually Means
17:30 – When DFAS Pays the Former Spouse Directly
20:00 – Common Drafting Mistakes in Military Divorce
24:00 – Offsetting the Pension Instead of Dividing It
27:00 – Why Military Pension Language Must Be Precise
28:30 – Closing Thoughts
🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.
🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/qMYIukopyrc or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com
🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards
🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA