A marriage breakdown can be especially difficult when one partner is a service member. Divorce in the military comes with its own set of unique challenges and must take into consideration service member rights. Although state laws govern divorce, certain federal laws and regulations regarding the military may apply to a military divorce situation.
Author Archives: Carolyn Ward
Florida military divorce: Military benefits and retirement funds
Divorce is difficult no matter if one is going through the dissolution process as a civilian or as a member of the U.S. armed forces. While there may not be a lot of difference between a civilian and service member divorce in Florida, how certain assets are treated is different.
Parental responsibility: Minimizing divorce effects on kids
When it's over, it's over, but that doesn't mean it's easy on anyone involved, particularly for children. Divorce isn't as ugly a word as it used to be decades ago, yet it still comes with the parental responsibility of putting the children first.
Parental responsibility: Pluses and pitfalls of joint custody
There are good aspects and less than stellar aspects when separating parents have legal joint custody of their children. When it comes to parental responsibility in Florida, parents who have joint legal custody both have a say legally in making decisions for their children. Some of those decisions can include health care, religious affiliations and education.
A Florida power of attorney needs to remain powerful
Estate planning documents are in place for a reason. One of those -- a power of attorney (POA) -- legally authorizes a person to be able to handle affairs and to make health care decisions on behalf of the maker in case the person should be unable to do so for him or herself.
3 costly divorce mistakes to avoid
Leaving your spouse may be emotionally devastating, but it may also be harmful to your financial wellbeing. Breaking up is costly, and you will probably see an increase in your cost of living. If you are getting a divorce, it is important to consider the monetary risks you may face.
Child custody: Keeping children out of the conversation
Emotions may be out of control during a divorce situation. But no matter how angry or hurt parents are at each other, they must make it a priority when it comes to keeping children out of the conversation regarding divorce and custody matters.
Right of first refusal expands parental responsibility
Divorcing parents face many challenges. Of course, the most difficult adjustment may be having time with one's children limited to a set schedule. This can be especially frustrating if the parents do not share equal parental responsibility but instead end up with an arrangement where one parent has custody and the other has time-sharing rights.
How will deployment affect chances of child custody?
For Florida military families, divorce can cause more complex issues than for civilian families. For one thing, military parents must always keep in mind the potential for reassignment or deployment when considering child custody issues.
Child custody and parental responsibility
Divorce is a fact of life for many Florida couples. Property is divided, debts are addressed and each individual begins life independent of the other. However, when children are involved, each individual still has parental responsibility that often require them to work together for the benefit of the children.