Divorce in the Military

To speak generally, relationships can be tenuous forServices Former Spouse's Protection Act, or USFSPA.
military couples. While there are some who workOne of the major changes this law provides, which is
through the changes in lifestyle without majorechoed by similar legislation and regulations concerning
incidence, others simply cannot handle the stressesdifferent types of pay, is that retirement funds are
related to the job. The distances involved duringpermissible to divide according to the standards of
deployment in conjunction with the inherent dangerthe state. This means, depending on where the
that faces service members each day can cause aservice member files for divorce, their spouse may
married couple to feel as if they simply do not relatebe eligible to a portion of their retirement pay as part
to one another any longer. In these instances, theof the marital property.
differences between the two individuals can becomeIn order to assist military couples due to the
so great that divorce becomes the best option towidespread transience of their home life, which can
enable both parties to move forward.see the couple or the individual in the military moving
However, as with many things concerning thefrom base to base as per new assignments, many
military, there are certain differences in the law thatstates relax their residency restrictions. In this way,
alter the process of divorce for a married couple inmany service members are able to file for divorce
which at least one person is in the armed forces.when it would otherwise be impossible.
Overall, these changes to the law tend to complicateFor more information on how military divorces
divorce proceedings instead of expediting them.operate, contact a skilled and experienced divorce
Military divorces are affected by the Uniformedattorney.