Monday, June 01

Zimbabwe To Stop Use Of US Dollar End Of 2022

ZIMBABWE will phase out the use of foreign currency such as US dollars for the payment of local transactions at the end of 2022, according to a currency roadmap released on Wednesday.

The move falls under measures put in place to support Zimbabwe’s five-year de-dollarisation strategy up leading up to the year 2024.

Government recently reintroduced the use of foreign currency for local transactions, barely a year after outlawing its use in favour of the Zimbabwe dollar.

The decision to allow the use of foreign currency for local transactions, despite the earlier ban, was meant to ease the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic that has ravaged economies across the globe.

While for the remainder of this year and the following two years till 2022, institutions and individuals will be allowed to pay for goods and services in local Zimbabwe currency or foreign currency. 

In 2023, all goods and services in Zimbabwe will be “chargeable in local currency and payable in local currency using free funds” reads the strategy.

Meanwhile, payment of salaries in foreign currency will be scaled back, except for expatriates or NGOs, where it will still be allowed.

Currently, payment of salaries in foreign currency by local companies to local employees can be up to 50% at the discretion of the employer, but this will be reduced to 40% in 2021, 30% in 2022, 20% in 2023 and up to 10% in 2024. Selected fuel dealers will be allowed to sell fuel in forex under the Direct Import Scheme, which specifies different regulations applying to fuel sales using forex. 

In another major policy move, Zimbabwe plans to gradually reduce exporters’ retention thresholds “to build national forex reserves”. Previously, retention thresholds had been criticised as too high, where exporters were paying up to 45% in fees to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in exchange for local currency, sparking calls to allow them to retain foreign currency instead. 

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Military Divorce Lawyer: Special Rules for Service Members and Spouses

 Military Divorce Lawyer: Divorce Help for Service Members and Spouses
Learn how military divorce differs from civilian divorce, including retirement division, custody, deployment, benefits, support, and jurisdiction issues.
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Military Divorce Lawyer: Special Rules for Service Members and Spouses

Military divorce can be more complicated than a civilian divorce.

Service members and spouses may face special issues involving military retirement, deployment, housing benefits, health coverage, custody, support, and jurisdiction.

A military divorce lawyer helps families understand how military rules and state divorce laws interact.

What Makes Military Divorce Different?

Military divorce may involve:

Active duty service
Deployment
Frequent relocation
Military retirement
BAH and BAS income
TRICARE issues
Survivor Benefit Plan
Parenting during deployment
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
VA disability benefits
Military pensions
Jurisdiction questions

These issues require careful handling.

Where Should a Military Divorce Be Filed?

Military families may have ties to multiple states.

Possible filing locations may include:

Where the service member is stationed
Where the spouse lives
Where the service member claims legal residence
Where the children live
Where property is located

Jurisdiction can affect custody, support, and property division.

Military Retirement and Divorce

Military retirement can be one of the most valuable marital assets.

Important questions include:

How much of the retirement is marital?
How will it be divided?
Is a military pension division order needed?
Does the 10/10 rule apply for direct payment?
What happens if the service member is not retired yet?
How does disability pay affect division?
Should Survivor Benefit Plan coverage be addressed?

A lawyer should draft retirement language carefully.

Custody and Deployment

Deployment can complicate parenting plans.

A military parenting plan may address:

Temporary custody during deployment
Virtual communication
Make-up parenting time
Travel costs
Notice requirements
Return-from-deployment schedule
Decision-making during absence
Family care plans

Courts generally try to protect the child’s stability while recognizing military obligations.

Child Support and Spousal Support

Military income may include:

Base pay
Basic Allowance for Housing
Basic Allowance for Subsistence
Special pay
Bonuses
Retirement pay
Disability pay

Support calculations may need careful review because military pay has multiple parts.

Health Insurance and Benefits

Divorce may affect access to TRICARE and other benefits.

Some former spouses may qualify under specific military rules, but eligibility depends on marriage length, service overlap, and other factors.

Do not assume benefits continue automatically after divorce.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act may provide protections for active duty service members in certain civil cases, including possible delays when military service affects the ability to participate.

This does not make divorce impossible, but it may affect timing.

Why Legal Help Matters

Military divorce mistakes can affect:

Retirement division
Survivor benefits
Custody schedules
Support amounts
Health coverage
Tax issues
Future enforcement
Direct pension payments

A regular divorce lawyer may not understand military-specific rules.

Final Thoughts

A military divorce lawyer can help service members and spouses navigate the unique legal and financial issues involved in military family law.

If your divorce involves deployment, military retirement, TRICARE, BAH, custody across states, or service-related benefits, get legal guidance before signing any agreement.

Best Accounting Software for Small Businesses

Good accounting software can save a small business owner a great deal of time and stress. The best system helps you track income, expenses, invoices, taxes, and reports in one place.
Many small businesses start with spreadsheets, but that approach can become messy very quickly. Accounting software makes it easier to stay organized and gives you a clearer picture of your business finances. That can help you make better decisions and avoid mistakes.
When comparing options, ease of use should be a top concern. If software is too complicated, it will probably slow you down instead of helping. A clean dashboard, simple navigation, and straightforward setup can make a big difference.
You should also look at invoicing features, bank syncing, and expense tracking. These are some of the most useful tools for a small business. If the software connects directly to your bank account and payment systems, it can reduce manual entry and save time each month.
Tax support is another important factor. Some accounting tools help you organize deductible expenses, create reports, and prepare for filing season. That can reduce stress when it is time to hand records to an accountant or file on your own.
Pricing matters too. Some platforms charge monthly fees, while others have tiered plans based on features or the number of users. The right choice depends on how many people need access and how complex your finances are.
The best accounting software for small businesses is the one that keeps your books accurate, your records organized, and your workload manageable.