There are a lot of unknowns in life. When you got married, you probably didn’t think you’d eventually find yourself thinking about heading down the path towards divorce. And yet – here you are. You’re in the right place, of course, and you’re certainly asking the right questions. It’s important that, before things go too far, you get a sense of what you can expect. There are a lot of unknowns in life. When you got married, you probably didn’t think you’d eventually find yourself thinking … [Read more...]
How are Virginia military divorces different?
How are Virginia military divorces different? If you’re active duty military, retired active duty military, you’re married to an active duty military service member, or even if you’re married to a retired active duty military service member, there will be some components of your divorce that are a little bit different than traditional civilian divorce. But you probably already know (or at least suspect) that much. Right? I’m not military, and, in fact, no one in my family has been in the … [Read more...]
The Thrift Savings Plan in Virginia Military Divorce
The TSP, or Thrift Savings Plan, is the federal government’s version of a 401(k) plan. Military service members, members of the reserves, and other federal employees are entitled to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan. Retirement accounts, as you probably already know, are super important in divorce cases. If we’re talking about equitable distribution (the fancy word we use in Virginia to describe how property can be divided), retirement accounts are often one of the first issues people … [Read more...]
Getting the GI Bill in Virginia Military Divorce
The GI Bill originated after World War II to help returning veterans go back to school as a reward for their service to our country. Over time, the GI Bill has changed and evolved and, in the wake of September 11th, the GI Bill changed again. Today, it covers the full cost of an undergraduate education at any public university or college in the country. It’s also transferrable to spouses or children, which makes it a valuable asset in many military divorce cases. Want the GI Bill for … [Read more...]