{"argument_date":"2017-03-20T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2017-03-20T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Unikowsky argued the Act does not authorize dividing waived military pay.","Mr. Wirken argued state authority to treat pay as property operates at divorce.","Ms. Eisenstein addressed concerns about the effect of prior precedent on the proposed rule."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 40-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 40-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 28-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 28-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 44-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 44-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 46-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 10-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 28-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 52-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 38-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 50-4"}]}],"caption":"Howell v. Howell","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.632163Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Divorced military spouses dispute whether state courts can treat retirement pay as marital property.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 40-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 40-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 28-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 28-16"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2017-03-20T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/15-1031.html","primary_docket":"15-1031","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:43:29.790567Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the scope of the Former Spouses Protection Act. It asks if state courts can divide military retirement pay as property during divorce."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 40-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 40-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 28-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 28-16"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 20, 2017."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the Court to limit state court authority over military retirement pay.","the opposing side wants the Court to allow state courts to divide military retirement pay."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 40-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 40-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 28-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 28-16"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the Act does not authorize treating waived pay as divisible property.","the opposing side argues the Act allows states to treat military pay as marital property."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 40-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 40-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 28-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 28-16"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked how a state can impinge on a spouse's property rights.","Justice Sotomayor asked if a spouse can return to court for a specific dollar figure."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 44-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 44-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 46-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 10-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 28-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 52-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 38-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 50-4"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute determines how state courts handle military retirement pay in divorce. It affects the financial rights of former military spouses. It clarifies the boundary between state and federal authority."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 40-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 40-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 28-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 28-16"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 44-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 44-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 46-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 46-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 10-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 28-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 28-34"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 52-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 30-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 38-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 50-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 50-4"}]}],"slug":"2016-15-1031-howell-v-howell","term":"2016","title":"Can state courts divide military retirement pay in divorce?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 40-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 40-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 18-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 18-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 28-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/15-1031_6647.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 28-16"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}