Ex Parte Ward

Charles Ray ("the husband") and Mary Frances Ward ("the wife") were divorced on March 22, 1984. By an agreement entered at the time the divorce judgment was entered, the husband was to pay the wife the amount of his military retirement benefits, which at the time were $783.63 a month. His monthly retirement checks were, by the agreement, mailed directly to the wife. Under the agreement, the retirement benefits were "considered as child support . . . and periodic alimony." The agreement did not provide for an adjustment in the amount of the payment after the child reached age 19.

In December…