He came to spend the night with us. He is a university student and a dean lister at that. I know why he came. He was bored at his wit’s end staying at their house with nothing to do. It’s summer here and there are no classes for about a month now. He still has to endure another boring month before classes resume. Maybe to pass the time he can take care of my youngest instead. He’s getting so much bigger these days and my arms really ache from carrying him all day long. LOL!

Sadly, however, this long separation also wreaks its toll upon those who are left behind. Some of the problems that may affect military families include inadequate financial support, the burden of playing both father and mother to a child (in the absence of the spouse), and even cases of infidelity and/or the birth of an illegitimate child from an illicit affair. In these cases, either spouse can go to court and file for Military Divorce.

Like other cases of legal separation, Military Divorce encompasses the issues of debt and property division, alimony, child custody and child support. However, because of the unique military lifestyle, other factors that need to be considered are medical benefits, military base privileges, and military retirement benefits. Because U.S. Servicemen are often overseas and thus unable to deal personally with the proceedings of military divorce, he or she must find a good legal counsel who can represent his or her interests in court.

One such law firm in Phoenix, Arizona, namely Gillespie, Shields & Durrant, has among its legal experts a former Active Duty JAG officer who is well-versed in the applications of the various provisions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and other laws governing military divorce. Because the firm maintains open lines of communication 24/7, clients can contact their attorneys anytime through phone, fax or email even if they are stationed overseas. In the same way, their attorneys can contact them and offer advice and provide updates on the legal proceedings.

If you are a U.S. serviceman serving in bases in Arizona or are a resident of the state but deployed overseas and have been served a divorce notice, it is highly recommended to seek out the exemplary services of Gillespie, Shields & Durrant. To learn more about the firm and the legal services they provide, check out their Phoenix, AZ Profile on Lawyers.com.

Anyway, I’m excited for this year.  We will be having our much overdue family vacation this March.  My long time college friend, roommate of almost three years, and sorority sister for life is set out to marry that month and it will be held at Subic, her hometown.  Of course, I can’t afford to miss it.  It’s also the best excuse to go on an overdue vacation since our family hasn’t been out-of-town since like forever!

I am really happy for my friend.  I have seen her struggles as a working, single mom and now she is finally saying goodbye to that and saying hello to a blissful married life.  I literally had tears in my eyes when she told me about the good news.  Don’t you just love happy endings?

They will be relocating to a new country to start their life as a family after this.  Though she will be in another country she can still continue her plans to further her education because there are now online colleges.  I suggested for her to take a look at the website, EarnMyDegree.com so she can know more about studying online.  Anyway, whatever new trials in the future she will encounter I know it will be breeze compared to what she had to go through before.  I can’t wait to meet her new partner in life and I hope he will treat her like a queen because she deserves it. Anyway, I’ve seen his pictures at Facebook and he seems to be a genuinely nice guy.  Best wishes to my sister, Diane!