Spouses of Military Members Need to be Proactive - We Can Help!

I have attached a recent section of a newsletter we receive from EX-POSE, "Ex-Partners of Servicemembers for Equality." They can be contacted at www.ex-pose.org or by phone at (703)212-6951.

The article suggests things that the spouse of a military member can do to be proactive in their situation. ALl of the suggestions may not be perfect in all situations, but it is important to take an active role in your case. Taking these steps can be crucial to getting a good result, quickly and efficiently.

Our office has more than thirty years of military experience, and can assist by answering questions, handling your case, and helping you to come out on the other side knowing you had all the information you needed to make informed decisions throughout the process.

We will also consult with you if you already have an attorney that you are comfortable with, but you and your attorney feel you are not as familiar with military benefits as you should be in order to make educated decisions.

***THE MILITARY PENSION IS TYPICALLY THE LARGEST MARITAL ASSET TO BE DIVIDED AND MOST ATTORNEYS ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE PENSION OR ITS VARIOUS DIMENSIONS.***

STARTING THE JOURNEY OF DIVORCE

Once you are aware that your marriage is not going to continue, the questions will start. It is not unusual to be burdened with concerns for your future. First and foremost, DO NOT sign your name on anything that you have not read, understand fully, consulted with your lawyer, and read again. This includes, but is not limited to, tax returns, titles or deeds, investments, life insurance forms, bank accounts, and survivor benefit plans.

It is in your best interest to interview at least three lawyers and find the one that best fits your needs. Be sure that he/she understands military divorce and what that involves. This means that you should have some knowledge of what your benefits and interests are concerning health care, child support, SBP, and property. Don't move out of your home before consulting with your attorney. This could be construed as abandonment. If you are in an abusive marriage, your attorney will be able to advise you.

Use your time to compile monthly bank statements and make copies for your attorney. Locate all tax returns filed jointly or separately and make copies. Be sure that all of the taxes have been paid up to date. Go to your bank and be sure that all of your accounts are intact, check on your safe deposit box (if this applies), be sure that documents have not been removed and make copies of anything you think is relevant. If you have joint accounts, ask the bank manager if you can have the accounts "flagged". This would make the provision that no large amounts are taken out or transferred without you knowing.

Tell your insurance agencies and be sure that the Beneficiary on all accounts has not been changed. Also, tell them to mark the accounts so that the beneficiary cannot be changed without your knowledge. Do the same for any investments and properties you may own.

I would also recommend making a list of all assets, income, and expenses. Ask your lawyer what documentation they need to prepare your case. The more you have, the better they can assist you.

Now, take a deep breath! The journey is not going to be an easy one but you are not alone.

EX-POSE, P.O. Box 11191, Alexandria, VA 22312-0191

Call us to schedule an appointment today, 401-841-5700 or email me at kgarside@counselfirst.com.

RI Family Court Motion to Modify Child Support Settled

Newport RI Divorce Attorney reports Family Court case results:

Motion to Modify Child Support

Client/father came to us after being served with a motion to modify child support 11 years after the original divorce.

We worked with the client and the other attorney to reach a resolution without having to litigate the matter saving the client time out of work and attorneys fees.

CAVEAT: EACH CASE IS FACT SPECIFIC AND WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED IN THESE CASES MAY NOT “FIT” YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION OR BE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST.

RI Divorce After Assistance by JAG Office

A client whose husband is a member of the military comes to us for a divorce.

Newport RI Divorce for Military Wife

Divorce of Husband and Wife after 6 year marriage. The Husband hired our office, and the Wife represented herself, along with assistance from her local JAG office due to the fact that the Husband was a military member. The Wife had already moved out of state and did not want to attend the court hearing in Rhode Island. My client and she worked together while I communicated with the JAG officer in order to reach a resolution that was satisfactory to both of them. She chose not to make the trip to put it on the record given the written contract we were able to negotiate.

CAVEAT: EACH CASE IS FACT SPECIFIC AND WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED IN THESE CASES MAY NOT “FIT” YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION OR BE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST.

Military Divorce in Newport RI and Child Support Issues

Newport RI Military Family Law Office secured a reasonable award of child support from father on active duty for infant child.

Military Divorce Awards Child Support

Military Divorce of parties with one child, less than a year old. Husband was on active duty. Wife’s attorney contacted us to assist her with trying to understand what the military requires of its members who have children, and how that differs from the family court.

Ultimately, after consulting with us, the attorney initiated a “Congressional Inquiry” to determine why actions were not being taken by the military to require the soldier to support his child.

Within days thereafter, a garnishment of his wages took place and the mother began to receive her support.


CAVEAT: EACH CASE IS FACT SPECIFIC AND WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED IN THESE CASES MAY NOT “FIT” YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION OR BE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST.

Share the good things, and let others know who they can trust.

Due to the fact we handle quite a few military family court cases, I have subscribed to the online military.com newsletter so I frequently get updates about major things happening within the different branches of the military, all over the world.

Today, I received an article entitled "Army Spouse Shares Tips for Deployment." The spouse of a military member who has been deployed half a dozen times was sharing tips with other families about what she does to prepare. For example, start early! One tip I found specifically important was that she asked her military friends to provide her with a list of plumbers, electricians, handy men, etc. that had been reasonably priced and trustworthy. As a mother and Wife whose husband handles most of such things, I thought this was brilliant! The comments on the article were from spouses that expressed hearing these things helped them feel like they were less alone, going through a scary situation. Knowing who you can trust and count on to do the job right is critical to making tough times less difficult.

I would like to encourage people to pass along their good experiences to others that they have had with their lawyer. People often rush to spread the word about a lawyer they did not like or thought did not do a good job because that is what people expect to hear about lawyers. They forget to share when their lawyer did a great job, or helped them through a difficult time. This has more to do with human nature and privacy than much else, but I would venture to guess that most people would appreciate knowing who they can trust and that someone else had a good experience when it comes to their personal business.

So, if you have a lawyer that you count on and that gets the job done for you, let other people know!

If you do not, then contact our office at 401.841.5700, and let us answer your legal questions.