Custody Agreements for Military Families
When one or both parents are in the military family life can be difficult. Free time to spend with the family may be hard to come by. When military families go through a divorce things only become complicated further. Military families face additional challenges when it comes to creating an effective custody agreement. Custody agreements for military families must also reflect the unique nature of their situation.
Additional challenges for military families
Custody agreements for military families are much like custody agreements for families with two civilian co-parents. The main issues involved in a child custody agreement must still be accounted for. These issues include the determination of legal and physical custody, a detailed custody and visitation schedule, how modifications will be made to the custody agreement, and any other important issues regarding how you and your co-parent will care for your child. These issues must be covered in all basic child custody agreements, including those of military families.
Because of the nature of the situation that most military families are in, there is always a possibility for unexpected events to occur. Most military family members understand that their lives are largely uncertain. Military families face uncertainty mainly due to the possibility of deployment, meaning the child may be left without one or both parents throughout their tour of duty, the possibility of the military parent being stationed somewhere that does not accommodate for families, and the possibility of frequent location changes. Military families must account for these possibilities within their custody agreement. In order to do so extra provisions must be added to custody agreements for military families that would not normally be seen in traditional custody agreements. Possibly the most important provisions define what steps will be taken if a military co-parent were to be deployed to relocated. Most often a separate temporary or emergency parenting plan will be created for use in these types of situation. Another important provision that must be included in custody agreements for military families defines steps that will be taken to restore original custody rights to military parents returning from transfer or deployment. For additional provisions that would be appropriate for military families seek help from family law professionals who have experience with custody agreements for military families.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
It can be very unsettling for co-parents who are in the service to be away from their child during a transfer or deployment. Sometimes even contacting their child or their co-parent can be very difficult. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is applied to custody agreements for military families. This act helps to protect these co-parents who are in the line of duty by preventing their co-parent to make permanent changes to their custody agreement while they are away. Be sure to mention the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act in your custody agreement in case you or your co-parent are deployed or relocated.
Helping military families to stay connected
One of the most difficult parts of co-parenting in a military family is keeping up with your communication. Tools and resources such as the OurFamilyWizard website® are great for these types of situations because they help co-parents to stay connected to each other, their child, and their custody agreement. No matter your situation you and your co-parent will be able to access the OurFamilyWizard website’s® list of tools and resources from your computer or mobile device with Internet access. Custody agreements for military families are easier than ever to follow. For more information on the OurFamilyWizard website’s® tools and resources visit our Features page.
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