Friend of mine is married to a sailor (used to train with my hubbs), after 2 years of abuse and his 17 year old girlfriend she left him and filed for divorce. He won't sign the papers but he won't send her money either. She's tried JAG and all they could do was help with the paperwork, she's tried his command but they aren't helping at all. He's stationed in Va and she went to Tx (where's she's from)... and because he won't sign the papers or change his page 2, TriCare is giving her crap about Prime and Prime Remote (she has a disability on top of all this), the state says they can't help her with anything unless she's divorced. What can she do... I've given her all the help I can.
Update:Why does she have to come back to Va... she would be homeless, she went to tx because he pockets the BAH and lives on ship, there's nowhere for her to live here?
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Tell her to push up higher in the chain of command. If they are not divorced, he is legally required to provide support or face UCMJ action. Also report the members of the command who would not help.
If you want to get this guys attention along with every Field and Company Grade officer on that installation, peruse the internet and find the contact information for your Congressional Representative. Write them a letter explaining your problem. The Congress person cannot force this guy to sign the divorce papers but after that congressional hits his unit, he will be praying to his God or Deity of choice he wished he had. Seen it done, very very very effective especially when the immediate chain of command is unwilling to interfere. (Saves a bit of attorney fees as well) Just have copies of your paperwork ready in case your Rep wants them, sit back and watch the sparks fly.
Your friend needs an attorney to file for legal separation and financial support. Once the papers are served and he finds out he's liable for supporting her, he'll probably be glad to sign the divorce papers. But calling his CO won't help. JAG can't do divorces and, besides, they work for the military member, not his estranged wife. She's got to get her own attorney, hopefully one that is familiar with how the military operates. Tell her to ask for financial support and Tricare Prime.
If he is deployed he can't nor does he have to Under the provisions of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940
She needs to go to court, finish divorcing the a**hole and then get court-ordered support. She can use that to garnish his pay and get her benefits. Of course, they could just bounce him out on an administrative discharge, but then the Navy at least wouldn't have to worry about him. If the court grants the divorce, his signature is unnecessary. He will have been served with papers and that is all they need.
Oh, and never underestimate the value of her elected representatives when it comes to dealing with the military.
She needs a lawyer yesterday.
She needs a court order awarding her support. His command can/will force him to honor the court order.
After a certain length of time, it doesn't matter if he signs the paperwork or not. . .
This seems really odd. We're stationed in Norfolk, has she actually gone to his command and spoken with his commanding officer or someone at PSD? Adultery is looked down upon and they will help- if nothing else she should have access to his bank account.
It doesn't matter if he won't sign.. she needs a lawyer and she needs to get back in VA.