The Relationship Between Military Service and Divorce (Part A)

Marriage is a commitment that takes a great deal of emotional work, mutual compromise and perseverance. Job responsibilities can have a strong impact on a marriage and this is especially true when one or both partners are in the military.

It can be difficult to balance a military career-which takes so much focus, time and dedication-with the commitments needed to sustain a family.

If you're in a Virginia military marriage and are considering a divorce, you're not alone. Because of its many military bases, the state of Virginia is home to thousands of military servicepersons, many of whom have probably faced a conflict between their home life and military career.

Challenges That Might Lead To Virginia Divorce for Military Couples

The divorce rate for military couples is higher than that of the civilian population, and throughout history, military couples have always faced special challenges in marriage and family life.

Some challenges faced by military couples are outlined below:

• Military careers often require frequent moves - some spouses of service members find that the challenge of repeatedly reorienting themselves to new locations puts stress on their marriage. This combined with the often unpredictable work hours of service members can add to a general sense of instability.
• Military couples may file for a Virginia divorce because of the stress of spending a great deal of time apart - being separated is part of the military marriage experience and brings with it understandable but no less difficult reactions, like loneliness and depression. There is also an increased risk of physical and emotional adultery in these marriages. Even when no adultery can be proven, chronic suspicions of adultery can wear away at the fabric of a marriage during a spouse's deployment.
• Service members who have taken part in combat might suffer psychological effects, like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -this may make it difficult for them to fully participate in family life. Symptoms of this condition vary and in some cases, may cause troubling behavior. Some military couples find that their marriages cannot survive this heartbreaking situation and end up filing for Virginia divorce.

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What Every Virginia Woman Should Know About Divorce is full of thoughtful steps and practical tips that will help you during your separation, divorce, or child custody case including:

-- 20 guidelines for "separation under the same roof"

-- 13 critical factors used to determine spousal support

-- 3 types of property classification recognized by Virginia courts

-- 10 factors your judge must consider in a contested custody case

-- a formula to determine your percentage share of his retirement benefits

-- 38 Financial Records you should be aware of

-- 20 steps to prepare for divorce

-- 7 stages of divorce

-- 40 age-appropriate books about divorce for children

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