(a) If at any point during an action or proceeding it appears that a plaintiff or defendant is a service member and in the conduct of the proceedings may be adversely affected by his or her military service, the court may, on its own motion, stay the proceedings.
(b) The court may stay the proceedings if the service member or another person on his or her behalf makes a request in writing to the court, unless the court determines on the record that the ability of the plaintiff to pursue the action or the defendant to conduct his or her defense is not materially affected by reason of his or her military service.