Military deployment can make maintaining parental rights a challenge for non-custodial parents. Long periods away from home add a degree of difficulty when it comes to being present in the child’s life. For military parents, it’s important to understand your responsibilities and obstacles that get in the way.
Establishing a solid family care plan
Before deployment, creating a family care plan that outlines how the child will receive care during the parent’s absence is a must. These plans include information on guardianship, financial support, and medical care for the child.
The non-custodial military parent needs to specify a caregiver and make sure they’re aware of the responsibilities involved. To add legal weight to its terms, this plan should be formally submitted to the relevant authorities, like a family court.
Adjusting parenting schedules
It’s common for non-custodial parents to have specific possession rights outlined in a custody order. During deployment, though, modifying this arrangement temporarily may be necessary. Some non-custodial parents negotiate makeup times to compensate for the time missed with their children.
Staying involved from a distance
It’s important to maintain regular communication, which deployed parents can do through video calls, emails, or letters. Setting up a consistent contact schedule can help the child feel connected and supported.
Some custody agreements may also include clauses that allow deployed parents to perform virtual parenting. Non-custodial military parents should explore these options and work them into the family care plan.
Utilizing the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
The SCRA offers legal protections to active-duty military personnel. These include the ability to postpone court proceedings. This means that if the custodial parent attempts to change custody arrangements during the other parent’s deployment, the SCRA can delay such actions until the parent returns.
A proactive approach ensures lasting connections
Maintaining parental rights during deployment requires careful planning. While deployments present unique challenges, taking the right steps can make a significant difference in preserving important connections.
