Should I Hire a Military Divorce Attorney?
Divorce is a complicated matter whether you are a military service member or married to someone serving in the military. You should not handle divorce proceedings without legal counsel, even if you and your ex get along and agree to the terms.
An experienced attorney can help you navigate difficult paperwork, legal procedures, and strict deadlines. They can protect your rights and improve the chance of a favorable outcome.
Benefits of Hiring a Military Divorce Lawyer
A military divorce lawyer offers numerous benefits. They could:
Answer Essential Questions
Your lawyer can provide straightforward guidance during the complex legal process. When emotions are high, you need someone stable in your life to assist you in dealing with the confusing laws and stages of filing the lawsuit or responding to the initial complaint. They can answer your questions about every aspect of your divorce and how to prepare your case.
Alleviate Fears
Getting divorced is scary. Although you might know it’s the right decision, you’re about to enter a new chapter in your life.
Your lawyer can help you overcome the challenges of the divorce process and show you the light at the end of the tunnel. Instead of pursuing your case and being apprehensive about what’s next, you can feel hopeful for the future.
Communicate about Any Unusual Laws
Under other circumstances, one spouse must respond to the other’s petition for divorce. Military divorces differ significantly in the requirements each party must meet. Your lawyer can help you understand the laws related to your divorce.
When one spouse doesn’t file an answer to the other’s divorce complaint, they can face severe consequences. The Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protects a service member’s rights while on active duty if they can’t respond to a filed divorce petition within the required timeframe. Instead, the military member can request a postponement if active duty prevents them from attending court proceedings.
Divide Property Fairly
Without a military divorce lawyer, your ex can leave the marriage with the assets you deserve. When you hire a lawyer, they can protect your rights to the property you own jointly.
They will review all marital property and determine how to split everything equitably. Equitably means fairly. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean dividing all assets down the middle. Your lawyer will consider the circumstances, recommend a fair division, and fight for your interests.
Establish Boundaries
You and your spouse might agree to negotiate each aspect of your divorce without a fight. However, arguments can happen despite your goal of remaining amicable.
Your military divorce lawyer can set boundaries and negotiate on your behalf to prevent fights with your ex. They can also direct the conversations to keep them productive so you don’t waste time discussing irrelevant issues.
Protect the Children
Deciding on custody and visitation can turn ugly when a divorce involves children. Parents, of course, love their kids, but the divorce process can cloud their judgment and interfere with negotiations.
Determining custody and visitation is challenging when one parent is on active duty or stationed in another state. A military divorce lawyer can prioritize the child’s needs and interests by creating a schedule that makes sense for everyone involved.
Contact an Experienced Military Divorce Attorney
A military divorce differs significantly from other types of divorces in Virginia Beach. The military divorce attorney from Hardt Law, P.L.L.C. can offer the legal advice and guidance you need to handle the process successfully. Our team will consider your goals and create a strategy to try to reach your desired result.
If you’re going through a military divorce in Virginia Beach, do not hesitate to contact us online or call Hardt Law, P.L.L.C., at (757) 962-5588 for a confidential consultation.
