Military Pensions -

Hi,

long story short..

I have had my Decree Absolute for 2.5 yrs. since then I’ve been trying myself and through a solicitor at one point to agree a financial settlement for a Clean Break. This has not been successful due to unreasonable responses/no responses/refusal to communicate etc. I’ve tried mediation but he won’t participate and has said that he’d rather lose everything so I lose out in court costs and won’t discuss outside court. The biggest asset here is the military pension. My own pensions are small, one started just before marriage and the other only a few years ago. I gave up my jobs, my career prospects etc to move around with him supporting him and raising our children (a joint decision rather than spend my whole wage on childcare).

I’m desperate to just move on. Does anyone know whether me applying for my absolute now, and finalising my divorce will have any affect on the finances and pso? I know that by having my divorce finalised will mean a widows pension would not be mine should anything happen to him before the court order but other then that? My solicitor has said that some pension schemes will only pension share to a ‘spouse’ and if I get my absolute then I would no longer be classed as this. Does the military have this ruling or can I get my absolute now and keep proceeding with finances through court which might take a long time? I really don’t want to wait longer for the absolute and want that tie severed.

Thankyou for reading.

You have paid for legal advice and should take it. It really isn't wise to get the absolute/final order until finances are settled. I am not aware of any pension schemes that won't allow pension sharing post dissolution of the marriage. It may be sometime do with whether or not you can have an internal share - in this case a military pension in your own right. You needs to check with the pension provider.

Hadenoughnow