With the Help of Pro Bono Attorneys, DV Victim Sailor Obtained Favorable Divorce and Custody Order

A Navy servicemember was the victim of domestic violence by her husband while she was pregnant. The abuse was so severe that the Navy initiated a safety transfer and assigned her to a new duty station, and a protective order was issued against the husband. She needed assistance to get a divorce from her husband, and to seek custody and child support for her child once born. She visited her local legal assistance office for help. Her military legal assistance attorney referred her to the ABA Military Pro Bono Project, which placed her case with experienced pro bono attorneys.

The pro bono attorneys negotiated a favorable divorce agreement on behalf of the sailor. The divorce order also awarded sole custody to the sailor for her child and ordered the sailor’s ex-husband to pay child support.