D.C. Area Military Law Blog

Divorcing couples have many concerns which usually include child custody and property division and may also include child support and spousal support or alimony. While a military divorce can carry with it certain complexities, there are some basics to understand that apply to most divorces.

Getting answers to common property division questions is important for divorcing military spouses. Property division in Virginia is conducted according to equitable property division rules which means property will be fairly divided between the divorcing spouses. What is considered fair is based on a variety of factors the family law court will consider. It is important to keep in mind that what may be fair may not necessarily be a split of property in half.

There are different legal options to help guide divorcing military couples through the divorce process. One option that can minimize time, expense and acrimony is military divorce which is why it is important to understand.

A mediator acts as a neutral third party to help divorcing couples stay focused on resolutions. They help keep the discussion focused and solution-oriented so that the divorcing couple can arrive at a settlement agreement in a timelier fashion. Mediators are neutral third parties who are there to help guide the conversation, inform the parties of the law that applies to their situation and circumstances and help find points of common ground between the parties so they can settle their divorce-related concerns.

This blog recently discussed some common questions that might come up surrounding security clearances. Security clearances are important for many individuals working for the government, including some military personnel which makes understanding them, and the resources available to help with them, important.

A security clearance can be important for a number of different groups including members of the armed services, civil servants and government contractor employees who require security clearance to obtain and maintain their employment. In addition, different government departments may be involved including the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, State Department or CIA so it is worthwhile to understand the process in advance and know what to expect from it.

If yours is one of many Virginia families with one or both spouses serving in the U.S. military, you can likely relate to many of the challenges your fellow service members face in trying to balance marriage, family life and military duties. Perhaps you or your spouse are currently deployed or have just recently come back home from an overseas assignment.  

Adjusting to deployment and re-adjusting to stateside living often causes marital stress. Current data shows that military marriages, in general, might be less likely to end in divorce than marriages among civilians. However, several types of issues and situations seem to negatively affect marital relationships when one or both spouses are military service members. If your marriage is in trouble, know that you are not alone and that support is available.