Divorces happen every day to parents in Texas and throughout the country. Going through a child custody battle is emotionally taxing and stressful. However, for military members, the concept of dealing with child custody can be even more difficult.
Disruptions are more likely
Being in the military can mean a transient lifestyle. Whether it’s getting relocated to a different base or getting sent overseas for a tour of duty, this can throw a wrench into your current child custody plans. For this reason, it’s important for a judge to take into account custody and visitation rights in regards to both parents’ lifestyles.
It’s a good idea to come up with a family care plan to help explain to the judge how your child will be handled if you are called on to be deployed. This plan should include specific aspects like who should have financially support your children, who’s going to provide medical care and who will be handling the logistics of day-to-day necessities when you’re away.
Military relocation
There are many jobs in the military that come along with the agreement that you’ll be relocated on a regular basis. Your custodial agreement should include a provision for a military relocation. This will help to outline visitation rights and where your child will stay in the event that relocation does occur. By having a military relocation provision and a family care plan as you enter into your divorce proceedings, you can better prepare yourself to get the best outcome possible.
Child custody cases are difficult for both the children and parents. When you throw being an active military member into the mix, it can make things even more complicated. If you meet with an attorney who has experience with military divorce proceedings, you can set yourself up for the best chance of success with your preferred parenting arrangement.