This is the first post in a new series that will be discussing special issues which military members must address during a divorce. While civilian divorces and military divorces are not technically treated technically different under the law, there are issues which are unique to military members and such issues typically do not arise in a civilian divorce. It is not unusual for a military member to become frustrated by their divorce attorney’s lack of understanding when it comes to their unique issues. In this upcoming series we will be discussing topics that military men and women are often most concerned with.

Issues that we will be discussing in the next few months include:

• Concerns regarding how the court will divide a military pension
• How deployment will affect the court’s assignment of child custody
• How child support is calculated for military members
• What happens when a civilian parent wishes to relocate a child away from the base

Prior to a divorce, military members often fail to consider how their service to the country will impact their settlement. Common issues that arise during a military divorce include the civilian spouse wishing to relocate “back home” following a marital separation, or the civilian spouse refusing to move if the military spouse is transferred. In other situations a military member is not aware that their commanding officer may discipline them if they fail to follow court orders with regards to child and spousal support. For servicemen who are deployed when their spouse files divorce paperwork, it can be a powerless feeling, knowing that one’s marriage has crumbled and that they are not in a position to defend themselves.

If you are a military member and going through a divorce, it is important to hire an attorney who understands your issues. JD Garret is an ex-military member who has the personal experience necessary to empathize with your situation. Contact our office by phone or email today for a consultation.