Family law solicitors who really understand military pensions
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eer in the UK armed forces is both physically and emotionally challenging, but it’s challenges don’t end of the front 
line. Sadly, at times bigger battles take place back home and it will come as no shock to find out that divorce rates involving those in the military are sadly high, certainly well above the civilian average. Long and often dangerous deployments in foreign countries are often cited as the main cause behind marital breakdown in the military, and inevitably this can also make the process of the divorce itself more difficult.
If you are currently in the military and trying to navigate your way around divorce proceedings then it’s really important that you appoint a specialist divorce solicitor who understands the military, and in particular military pensions. Sadly, in our experience, not all solicitors do.
However, for those who are, or for thinking of getting involved in military divorce proceedings, here is some information you really need to understand on one of the most issues affecting any military divorce – the armed forces pension.
Worried about Military Divorce and what happens to your pension? We offer FREE initial phone advice a FREE first 30 minute appointment for all aspects of divorce and family law.
Click here to read more about how we can help you if you’re going through an armed forces divorce.
Armed forces pensions and divorce – The options available
A pension, no matter whether it is military or not, is considered a post-work life income stream. When it comes to divorce there are three ways of dealing with a military pension:
| Pension Sharing Order | In this instance the pension enters a form of redistribution, as part of the pension is taken and paid into the pension of the other spouse. |
| Pension Attachment Orders | This involves handing responsibility over to a pension administrator. They will then pay a portion of the income from the pension directly to a spouse in a single payment. |
| Offsetting | A common option, and which one spouse is compensated for their loss of pension with an increased share of the family assets. This may include items such as savings, shares cars, property or even jewellery. |
Getting the right pension advice
It is always really important that you get the right professional advice in terms of what you should and shouldn’t be doing with your armed forces pension during a divorce. When talking to your solicitor or lawyer you, you need to make sure you find a specialist divorce solicitor with plenty of experience of military divorce and pensions.
At the outset you will need to provide your chosen solicitor with plenty of information about your pension – including the date your pension began, as armed forces pensions are not all this. Also be sure to inform your solicitor whether or not you have changed your pension at any point during your armed forces career. In due course your divorce solicitor will help you get the right valuation of your pension – which will initially involve information from Kentigern House in Glasgow.
Click here to read more about divorce and financial issues
Understanding the different military pensions
Our team understand the differences between the four different types of pensions available to all forces personnel, including veterans and reservists i.e. AFPS 75, AFPS 05, RFPS and AFPS 15. And understanding the difference between these various military pensions is absolutely critical to making sure you get the best deal on your divorce settlement.
Looking for specialist advice on armed forces pensions and divorce? Our specialists can help you – nationwide and when deployed overseas. Contact us now
There are not many solicitors who specialise in military divorce, and you do need a specialist.
So whether you’re based at home, or deployed abroad, we can help – taking your instructions by email, phone or Zoom video.With four offices in Wiltshire and Hampshire (including branches in Salisbury, Amesbury and Andover), we regularly act for forces personnel both locally in the Salisbury Plain area, but also nationwide, and for those serving or posted abroad.
What’s more, the head of our family law team, Dinshaw Printer, is not only a serving District Judge,but as the son of a Colonel, he grew up in the Army and therefore really understands what life in the military is like. As a result, he has a particular specialism in military family work, especially pension issues.
Our family lawyers also offer 10% discount on all our legal fees to all serving and retired members of UK Armed Forces – and when it comes to family matters, initial phone advice is always free as is your first 30 minute appointment. So if you need to put your mind at rest about any aspect of military divorce – contact us now.
- For FREE initial advice call us on [01722] 422300, or [01980 622992] OR
- Complete the contact form below to get in touch.
