What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Mother is in Texas and dad is in Canada. They have been separated (not legally) since May 2002. He left to live with a woman in Nova Scotia, Canada and my question is does my mother have to do anything to be entitled to any of his pay as they are married now 37 years and was with him over 18 years of his military career in the Army. If not then would it be better to get a legal separation or a divorce and what is the difference. Trying to help my mother get off the streets unemployed and homeless as JAG has been zero help.