Divorce in the Canadian Armed Forces

 Divorce in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) involves unique complexities like pension division, jurisdictional choices (residence, duty station), and child custody during deployments, requiring specific notification to the Pension Centre for benefit adjustments under acts like the Pension Benefits Division Act (PBDA). Service members and spouses must formally apply for pension division with court orders, and military families can access support through Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs).  

• Jurisdiction: You can file for divorce where the service member lives, the filing spouse lives, or where the service member is stationed, impacting applicable laws (e.g., property division).
• Pension & Benefits: A former spouse may be entitled to a portion of a CAF pension, but this requires formal application to the Pension Centre with a court order or agreement. Life insurance and other benefits are also affected.
• Custody & Deployment: Separations and deployments complicate custody arrangements, necessitating careful planning for shared custody or visitation.
• Legal Advice: Seeking advice from a lawyer specializing in military divorce is crucial due to these complexities. 

Steps & Notifications

1. File for Divorce: Follow provincial/territorial procedures to file for divorce under the federal Divorce Act.
2. Inform the CAF: Notify the CAF Pension Centre by submitting your separation agreement or divorce decree with your Service Number.
3. Apply for Pension Division: Submit Form CF-FC 2486 (Application for Division of Pension) to formally divide pension benefits, as it's not automatic.
4. Update Beneficiaries: Review and update beneficiaries for plans like the Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB). 

Support Resources

• Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs): Offer counselling, wellness support, and information for families experiencing separation.
• < CFMWS (Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services): Provides resources on self-care and healthy coping strategies during relationship breakdown. 

Unique Challenges

• Service of Documents: Specific rules apply for serving legal documents to CAF members.
• Financial Hardship: In cases of distress, support may be available for legal costs.