Where can Virginia military wives find support during and after a divorce?
What Every Virginia Military Wife Needs to Know About Divorce
A military wife goes through a lot of struggles, and divorce is one of the biggest ones. When you are married to a service member, you cannot expect life to be a bed of roses. Military life often leads to unwanted twists and turns. One of the most challenging scenarios that impact military wives is a divorce. Here’s what every Virginia military wife needs to know about divorce.
Understanding Military Divorce in Virginia
Military divorce in Virginia follows the same process as civilian divorce. However, both federal and state laws apply to military divorce. It is essential to understand both to protect yourself financially and emotionally.
Virginia Military Divorce Laws
In Virginia, military divorce laws adhere to the principle of equitable distribution. Equitable distribution means that assets acquired during a marriage will be split equally between the two parties if no prenup was signed. Also, Virginia family courts consider a military pension as a marital asset and, therefore, distribute it in equitable fashion.
Virginia Military Divorce Benefits Laws
Virginia military divorce laws entitle a spouse to receive a portion of their partner’s military retirement or pension benefits if they have been married for at least ten years during the military service. This payment is made directly to the requesting spouse from the Department of Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
Child Custody and Support
Like other states, Virginia courts consider the best interests of the children when determining child custody in military divorce. Additionally, the Virginia child support laws also apply to military divorce cases, which determine the amount of child support one has to pay or receive.
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The Bottom Line
Military life is full of uncertainties, and divorce is one of them. As a Virginia military wife, you must be aware of the state’s divorce laws and military divorce benefits laws. Also, if you are contemplating divorce, it’s essential to seek legal counsel to protect your rights and interests.