Franz introduces bill protecting vet benefits in divorce.

Rep. Ray Franz

LANSING — State Rep. Ray Franz of Onekama recently introduced legislation to prohibit the consideration of veteran disability payments in Michigan divorce proceedings.

HB 4170 parallels the current federal law that protects veterans disability compensation in civil court divorce settlements by safeguarding veterans benefit awards in extenuating circumstances and exempting those awards from being considered as a divisible martial asset in the case of legal separation from a spouse.

“The framers of our Constitution never intended for anyone to divert veterans’ disability benefits away from the individual wounded or injured in the line of duty, which is my very reason for sponsoring HB 4170,” Franz said.

“These veterans fought and sacrificed for their country, to the point of sustaining and suffering debilitating injuries. They have literally bled for this compensation and it should not be a factor in property division. This is commonsense legislation that honors veterans who fought to secure our freedoms by safeguarding theirs.”

HB 4170 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.