Many members of the military have custody of their children or are afforded visitation rights if the service member and the child’s other parent are not married. Many active duty military members are absent for long periods of time due to deployment and this can affect child custody arrangements. If you’re a Texas resident and are in a military family, here are some important details to know about these matters.
Family care plans
When dealing with a military divorce and child custody, you and your child’s other parent will have to create a family care plan and revise the plan as needed. Revisions could include child custody issues pertaining to deployment and relocation and the laws in the state you/your child lives in when it comes to custody arrangements. It is also important to consider your rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Before you relocate or deploy to another duty station, work with your ex to prepare a family care plan. The plan will describe which parent will care for the child financially and who will be responsible for paying for the child’s schooling and medical bills.
Child custody and deployment
If you already have an agreement in place pertaining to child custody, you can work with the court in your state as well as your child’s other parent to make the appropriate changes to the plan. Keep in mind that family care plans are subject to the laws of the state which means the courts in that state will determine what is in the best interest of the child.
The court will also make a decision if you request permission to relocate to another duty station with your child. You may be asked to prove that the move will be beneficial for the child. Some courts will not permit your child to relocate with you under certain circumstances.