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Why a family care plan is a high priority for military parents

Like all Kentucky parents, you are responsible for your children’s care. Parenthood is often a joyful, rewarding experience but can also be quite challenging at times. If you are a parent who also happens to serve as a member of the U.S. military, you likely already understand just how challenging juggling career and family life can be. Concerning parental obligations, not only must you have a plan for your children’s care in your absence, the military also expects you to put that plan into writing.

A family care plan is a valuable tool for parents serving in the armed forces. You can customize your plan to optimize your children’s safety and well-being during periods of active duty or deployment. Whether you’re a single parent who is divorced or have never been married, you can make decisions in your children’s best interests ahead of time, so no stone is left unturned while you’re away.

Execute a plan that fits your family’s needs

When you’re creating a plan regarding your children’s care, you want to think in terms of immediate or short-term needs, long-term care and customized details that pertain directly to your own family. The following list provides basic facts about military family care plans that may be helpful to you:

  • The person you designate as a short-term care provider for your children must agree to be available 24/7. Also, he or she may not be a member of the U.S. military. This person must also reside near your military base location.
  • In the event that your short-term duty should become a long-term deployment, you must also designate a long-term care provider who agrees to care for your children until you return from active duty. This person need not live near your military base.
  • You must also specify details as to transferring your children from the short-term care provider to the long-term care provider. Who will transport them? What will the details for the transport system be?

You can further customize your family care plan by adding details regarding medical care, disciplinary rules, instructions regarding faith or church services, and basically anything else you deem a priority for your children’s care. It’s possible that failure to execute a family care plan may carry penalties against your military service record.

It can be very helpful to seek guidance, as well as a review of your proposed plan, before signing anything. Many Kentucky military parents turn to experienced family law attorneys for assistance.