Michigan Judges Guide to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1
2. HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF THE SCRA......................................................................1
3. GENERAL PROVISIONS ..................................................................................................2
3.1. Jurisdictional Application ........................................................................................2
3.2. Individuals Covered by the SCRA...........................................................................2
3.3. “Military Service” Defined......................................................................................2
3.3.1. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Members...........2
3.3.2. National Guard Members.............................................................................3
3.3.3. Absences Due to Illness or Injury................................................................3
3.3.4. What is Not “Military Service”....................................................................3
3.4. Period of Military Service........................................................................................3
3.4.1. Definition .....................................................................................................3
3.5. Waiver of Benefits and Protections .........................................................................4
3.5.1. Benefits and Protections Not Necessarily Automatic..................................4
3.5.2. Waiver Requirements...................................................................................4
4. PROCEDURAL PROTECTIONS.......................................................................................4
4.1. Default Judgments ...................................................................................................4
4.1.1. Applicability ................................................................................................5
4.1.2. Affidavit Requirement .................................................................................5
4.1.3. Military Service Certificates........................................................................6
4.1.4. Appointment of Attorney.............................................................................6
4.1.5. Posting a Bond .............................................................................................6
4.1.6. Stays in Default Proceedings .......................................................................6
4.1.7. Reopening and Vacating Default Judgments...............................................7
4.2. Stay of Judicial and Administrative Proceedings ....................................................8
4.2.1. Applicability ................................................................................................8
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