Military Divorce Solicitors
Specialist divorce lawyers for the armed forces
Specialist military divorce lawyers in Wiltshire
Going through a military divorce can be one of the most emotionally and financially challenging experiences you’ll face, especially when the unique demands of service life add complexity to an already difficult situation. At Goughs Solicitors, we provide specialist legal advice tailored to the realities of military life, helping you navigate divorce, financial settlements, and child arrangements with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
What makes military divorce different?
Although the legal process for divorce in the UK is the same for military and civilian couples, there are specific factors in a military divorce that can complicate matters. These factors can affect everything from pensions and property settlements to child contact and maintenance, which is why instructing a solicitor with specialist experience in military divorce is so important.
- Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS)- Military pensions can be one of the most valuable matrimonial assets and require specialist knowledge to value and divide fairly.
- Service accommodation- families living in Service Family Accommodation may face additional housing challenges when a marriage breaks down.
- Child arrangements- deployments, postings and overseas assignments can make routine contact and residence arrangements more complex.
- Overseas service- whether you're based overseas or returning to the UK, remote legal support and flexible communication are essential.
How our military divorce solicitors can support you
At Goughs Solicitors, we offer comprehensive legal support tailored to the challenges of military life:
Specialist military divorce advice
Our expert solicitors understand the force’s lifestyle including the postings, deployments and schedules that can make legal matters harder to handle. We’ll guide you through the entire divorce process, explaining your rights and the options available to you.
Pension and financial settlements
Military pensions are often complex financial assets. Our team can help you understand how your pension is valued, and how it could be treated in a financial settlement – whether through offsetting, pension sharing or other solutions.
Children and family matters
The welfare of your children is always our priority. We provide clear, practical advice on child arrangements and maintenance, especially where service commitments affect living patterns or contact schedules.
Flexible and supportive communication
We know that being posted abroad or working variable hours shouldn’t prevent you from getting the legal support you need. We offer appointments face-to-face, by video call or by telephone, at a time that suits you.
Speak to a solicitor
Whether you are going through a military divorce and need to instruct a specialist solicitor, or you simply have questions about how divorce works for serving personnel or military families, we can help. You can call, email, or arrange a meeting at one of our seven offices.
Call us
With seven offices around the South West of England, we have multiple offices you can call.
Email us
If you would like to drop us an email you can on info@goughs.co.uk
Visit us
With offices in Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Melksham and Trowbridge, you can pop in and see us. View office locations.
Our commitment to the armed forces
At Goughs our Armed Forces team provide expertise in military divorce. As part of our commitment to the Armed Forces community, we offer all members of the armed forces and veterans, spouses, reservists and MOD personnel:
An initial appointment free of charge: Face-to-face, by video call or by telephone, at a date and time convenient to you.
Fixed fees: For some areas of work
Complete transparency: As well as full clarity on all our fees
Military divorce FAQs
Military pensions can be a major asset in a divorce. They may be divided through pension sharing, pension offsetting, or other financial arrangements. Our solicitors provide specialist advice to ensure the pension is valued and treated fairly.
Deployments, postings, and overseas service can complicate child contact and residence schedules. We help create practical arrangements that consider service commitments while prioritising your child’s welfare.
Offsetting. This is where the value of the pension fund is offset either in full or in part against the value of other matrimonial assets. In a simple case, for example, the AFPS member might preserve a greater share of his or her pension in return for their spouse having a greater share of other assets.
Pension Attachment (often referred to as earmarking). This provides either a future lump sum or an income stream for the AFPS member’s spouse.
Pension Sharing. The ex-spouse receives a pension credit and, in effect, becomes a member of the scheme. This enables a clean break and provides good benefits at retirement, including the ability to take the pension income early (subject to scheme approval, reductions, and the minimum pension age).
As there are many options and many variables, we may recommend advice is taken from a specialist actuary or pension advisor.
Yes. We provide remote support via video calls, phone, and email, ensuring the process continues smoothly even if one or both parties are abroad.
A solicitor with military divorce experience understands the unique challenges of service life, including pensions, housing, and overseas postings. This specialist knowledge ensures your case is handled efficiently and fairly.
Our clients rate us as excellent
Chambers & Partners
The team is extremely thorough and client-focused. They are willing to go the extra mile and think outside the box.
P B, Corsham
Thank you for all your help, guidance and understanding. You and your team have been outstanding during a very difficult time and managed the case through to a highly satisfactory conclusion.
T H, Chippenham
I could not have wished for a more professional dedicated team, I am so grateful for all their help and support, I would highly recommend Goughs solicitors to family and friends.
Legal 500
The practice is very unique in that the service is so personal and impeccable. Attention is given to ALL detail and communication is frequent and timely.
TH
I could not have wished for a more professional dedicated team, I am so grateful for all their help and support, I would highly recommend Goughs solicitors to family and friends.
Why work with Goughs?
Local since 1882, with an excellent reputation
First-class, effective service
Largest solicitors in Wiltshire
Seven offices throughout the county
Nationally accredited law firm
Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners