How is spousal support affected by a partner’s military service?

In Washington, spousal support is affected by a partner’s military service, but the extent of the effect may depend on the type of support in question. Generally, military members cannot be held financially responsible for providing alimony, but depending on the circumstances of the divorce, a court may still order a transfer of property from the military member to his or her ex-spouse. In some cases, a former military spouse may be developing a career or going to college while their former partner is still actively serving in the military. In these cases, a court may order the military member to provide “pendent lite” support (temporary support payments) to help the former spouse maintain his/her lifestyle until the divorce is finalized. In cases of permanent spousal support payments, a court might consider a military member’s income when formulating an order. This could include a portion of their housing allowance or any other benefits they are entitled to as a result of their service. The court might also take into consideration the amount of time a military member is deployed, as it could impact a non-military spouse’s ability to earn income and support themselves. Overall, the court’s decision on spousal support in cases of military service will be based on the facts and circumstances of the case. A court could still order support payments from a military member, depending on individual circumstances.

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