Residents of Montgomery, Tennessee, or their spouses, who have served in the military, may be aware that divorce in the military is not the same as divorce among civilians. In addition to typical asset division, alimony, child custody and child support arrangements, a military divorce is often more complicated because of such issues as military retirement benefits and medical benefits.
Data from 2012, recently published by the Health Department of a northeastern company, suggests that in one county in New York, the divorce rate is as high as 5.16 per 1,000 people. Some people in the area are now linking it to the considerable military population residing in the county at a United States Army base. Interestingly, the Department of Defense statistics show that divorce rates in the military declined in 2013 by 0.1 percent and currently stand at 3.4 percent.
Last year an economics journal reported a correlation between the number of months that a person is deployed and divorce rates. That connection is especially significant when it comes to deployed wives. It was concluded that the longer the military spouse was away from home, the greater the chances of a divorce. Other people also shared their opinion on the issue. While some believe that a breakdown in communication causes a rift in the marriage, others believe that unrealistic expectations that the military spouse faces upon return from deployment are the reasons for the split.
In Tennessee, it is possible for military service members to file for a divorce while still in deployment. If a person believes that a marriage is not going to last, it may be better to file for divorce right away instead of waiting for his or her return to the United States.
For service members or their spouses who are contemplating divorce, speaking with a military divorce attorney may be beneficial. An experienced attorney can guide the individual through the divorce process and can also protect his or her rights and interests..
Source: Watertown Daily Times, “Jefferson County’s high divorce rate may be affected by Fort Drum,” Gordon Block, Feb. 17, 2014
