Couples get divorced in Wyoming all the time, but certain families have unique situations that will make a divorce more complicated or difficult for their family. Being an active duty military member or having a spouse who is serving in the military can complicate a divorce.
Educating yourself about three of the most significant ways in which a military divorce differs from a civilian divorce can help you make more informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls in your divorce proceedings.
Allegations of infidelity can affect your military career
Infidelity is among the top reasons that couples choose to divorce. If the person who cheated in your relationship is the one in the military, they could face consequences that civilians usually don’t have to think about. The Uniform Code of Military Justice has very strict rules in place regarding adultery.
There have been some changes in recent years, such as the inclusion of more sexual acts in the definition of adultery. The potential still exists for service members to face court-martial over adultery that comes to light as part of their divorce.
Custody determinations get complicated quickly for military families
The Wyoming courts usually like to create custody arrangements that permit both parents to play a significant role in the lives of the children. However, with the unpredictable nature of military work, those who are active duty in the military may have to include much more detail or many more specific scenarios in their custody arrangements or parenting plan.
It may be possible to arrange for shared custody as long as the service member does not face deployment. However, the custody arrangements should also include provisions for visitation rights, including virtual visitation, in the event of deployment to another location. That way, even if the service member cannot see their children in person, they can at least be a presence in their life. Additionally, you will have to update your family care plan to reflect your changed family situation.
Divorce and changes in custody can impact military compensation
Base pay is only part of how the military compensates the people who protect and serve our great country. Service members also receive housing benefits and additional pay depending on the size of their family. When you divorce, that can have an impact on everything from your housing arrangements to the amount of your take-home pay.
Carefully looking at how different situations could impact your pay and benefits is important when trying to seek the best outcome in a Wyoming military divorce.
