Divorce lawyer says wife is entitled to half

Question:

My wife and I were married for 42 yrs; we are now divorcing.  She receives $1200 ssi.  I  receive $1200 pension,  $2200 ssi and for 9 years VA disability currently at $3200 per month.  I have invested the VA payments in a farm for therapy for my PTSD which has been very successful.  Now my lawyer says i must sell everything in order to pay her half.  I thought compensation payments should be exempt from division .

Jim's Reply:

VA disability compensation money is income in the divorce court and must be included in any financial statements. This has been settled in state and federal courts years ago but rumors persist that VA comp is somehow "protected". It isn't.