Missourians who are either in or have served in the United States military are not immune to the family problems that can lead to a divorce. In fact, being a military family carries with it certain responsibilities and pressures that might make it more difficult for some couples to remain together. No matter the situation, whether it is a couple with both spouses in the military, active duty service members or military retirees, it is essential to have legal assistance if there is a dispute and a pending divorce.
There are numerous divorce issues that come up with a military family, past or present. Retirement and benefits are often a point of contention. For example, the non-military spouse must meet certain criteria for the length of the marriage to retain their rights to various military services such as a military identification card and medical benefits. These vary depending on the length of the marriage.
Child custody often arises as a military member is at risk of being deployed as part of the service, making the situation more complex. This also affects visitation rights and must be navigated. There could be a desire on the part of the custodial parent to relocate. Other factors such as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to protect active duty members, basic allowance for housing, basic allowance for subsistence rules, and leave and earnings statements are part of the process. These are important factors.
Having legal help that is not only experienced in divorce, but understands the nuance that is inherent with a military divorce, can make all the difference in a case. This holds true for children, support, visitation and military retirement benefits. For those who are in the military, married to someone in the military, or someone who used to be in the military, calling a lawyer can be a key first step when getting a military divorce.
