THE VOB EPISODE 20- DIVORCING ADULTS

Military Spouse Divorce: Considerations and Resources

Article Credit: Vanessa Lech, LCSW

4/2/20245 min read

Are you a military spouse contemplating divorce?

The decision to end a marriage can be overwhelming, especially when navigating the unique challenges faced by military families. Here are some key considerations and resources to help you through this challenging time.

Maintain career and occupational credentials:

As a military spouse, you may have followed your partner to various locations, which as I'm sure you know can impact your ability to maintain or advance your career. Fortunately, some essential laws have recently passed

aiding eligible military spouses.

The Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act (MSLRA) is a part of federal law [50 U.S.C. § 4025a] passed in 2023. This act is designed to assist military spouses in maintaining their professional licenses when they move due to their spouse's military orders. MSLRA is an amendment to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which provides a range of legal protections to active-duty military members.

Texas enacted Senate Bill 1200 in 2019 and Senate Bill 422 in 2023. These bills are intended to assist military spouses with occupational licensing portability and underscore Texas's continued commitment to addressing the occupational licensing needs of active-duty military spouses. In 2024, Kansas passed House Bill 2745, which eliminates occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses relocating due to their spouse's military

orders. Governor Kelly of Kansas has urged other states to assist military spouses with occupational licensing portability via a national coalition.

There will likely be continued legislative developments at the state and possibly the federal level regarding occupational licensing portability for active-duty military spouses and service members. Occupational compact

legislation for certain licensees is developing at the state level across the U.S. Look into the potential portability of your professional credential(s). Each situation is unique. You may consider setting up a Google Alert for

"occupational licensing military spouses" to help you stay up-to-date on legislative developments that directly affect your life.

Learn the laws that apply to your situation:

Familiarize yourself with the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA), which provides specific benefits to former spouses of military members. Understanding this law can help you protect your rights during the

divorce process.

Legal Help:

Legal Shield is a pre-paid legal plan that offers affordable legal help. I have been a member of Legal Shield for approximately 2 years. I value the oversight that Legal Shield provides. The attorneys I have worked with get

back to me promptly. Legal Shield always sends me surveys about my experience with the law firm I worked with.

Regardless of how you access legal help, it is essential to find safe, trustworthy, accountable, and reputable people when seeking guidance and support during your divorce. Knowing your rights is crucial during this time.

Finances:

It is vital to seek guidance from a reputable financial advisor who can provide reliable information and help make informed financial decisions. Your financial situation can change significantly during a divorce, and having a

clear understanding of your financial options and obligations is essential. You can also increase your financial education. For example, Liberty University offers a "Financial Planning Certificate Online Program."

Preserve and increase your health:

Caring for your overall health and well-being is crucial during a divorce. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Seeking outside support for domestic labor, such as housework and childcare, can help reduce stress. Make time for medical appointments, fitness activities, and spiritual practices to maintain your well-being. Your health is a priority.

Maximize earned benefits:

Explore all available benefits through your current and former employment and military service, such as retirement plans, employer matching programs, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), and Military Veteran Benefits. These

benefits can provide you with additional support during this challenging time.

In Conclusion:

Navigating divorce as a military spouse can be complex. However, by empowering yourself with knowledge about your rights and the potential resources available, you can take control of the situation and make informed decisions to help you move forward confidently. Always prioritize your well-being and reach out to your support network of friends, family, and professionals to assist you during this transition.

⚠️Disclaimer:

This article is for general information and/or educational purposes only. 🚫 No legal or professional advice here. 🚫 No clinical relationship established. It's important to note that my experience with Legal Shield is based on my usage and may not necessarily convey to others. There are no guarantees that others will have the same experience.

💡Disclosure:

In creating this content, I utilized several tools, including:

● Grammarly

● Chat GPT

● Google and Duck Duck Go Search Engines

References:

1. "Air Force spouse wins case against Texas after it refused to transfer her

professional licenses"

https://www.tpr.org/military-veterans-issues/2023-11-21/air-force-spouse-wins-case-against-texas-after-it-refused-to-transfer-her-professional-licenses

2. "Governor Kelly Calls for States to Join National Coalition to Help Military Spouses Obtain Occupational Licenses Across State Lines"

https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-kelly-calls-for-states-to-join-nationalcoalition-to-help-military-spouses-obtain-occupational-licenses-across-state-lines/

3. "Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill Removing Barriers to Career Opportunities for Military Spouses"

https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-kelly-signs-bipartisan-bill-removing-barriers-to-career-opportunities-for-military-spouses/

4. The Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act (MSLRA) 50 U.S.C. § 4025a

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title50-section4025a&num=0&edition=prelim

5. The Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act

https://www.militarybenefit.org/get-educated/military-spouse-licensing-relief-act/

6. Texas Senate Bill 1200 of 2019

https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/86R/billtext/html/SB01200S.htm

7. Texas Senate Bill 0422 of 2023

https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/SB00422S.htm

8. Texas Occupational Licensing Military Spouses

https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/State_Agency_Leaders_Servicemembers_Civil_Relief_Act.pdf

9. "Portability of Professional Licenses and Certificates for Servicemembers and Their Spouses."

https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/1305496/dl?inline

10. "Justice Department Reinforces Federal Protections for Servicemembers and their Spouses in Letter to State Officials."

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-reinforces-federal-protections-servicemembers-and-their-spouses-letter

11. "Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act for Divorced Spouses in the Military"

https://www.militaryonesource.mil/relationships/separation-divorce/uniformed-services-former-spouse-protection-act-for-divorced-spouses-in-the-military/

https://www.dfas.mil/Garnishment/usfspa/legal/

12. Legal Shield

https://www.legalshield.com/

13. "LegalShield Member Bill of Rights"

https://www.legalshield.com/blog/member-benefits/legalshield-member-billrights/

14. "Financial Planning Certificate Online Program"

https://www.liberty.edu/online/business/bachelors/certificate/financial-planning/

👉🏽RESOURCES: 👇🏽

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

https://988lifeline.org/

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-7233