Divorce is never simple matter, especially regarding matters of child custody. If you or your spouse are active military members, then you likely have even more questions about parenting time and the overall custody situation..
It is important to remember that every family is different — and that personalized advice can help you make forward-thinking decisions regarding your child’s best interests. Ideally, you should talk to a family law attorney with experience in military divorce issues.
What questions should I ask about military divorce and child custody?
It is crucial to meet with a legal professional with experience in family law as it pertains to military families. During your consultation, you can ask such questions as:
- What will happen with custody if the military deploys me or my spouse?
- How can I make sure our visitation arrangements are fair?
- How long will it take to establish custody?
- Will I pay or receive child support?
- How can I modify custody orders if my situation changes?
- Do I have to go to court personally to deal with custody?
As your legal team comes to understand your personal situation, you can arrive at the best answers for you and your family.
What are my next steps in settling child custody matters?
Once you know your rights and have strong legal support on your side, you can negotiate a custody arrangement that works well for your family. If you and your spouse do not arrive at a mutually-agreeable arrangement through mediation, your attorney may have to advocate for you in court.
Issues that arise during a military divorce can be highly specific and personal, but you are not alone in trying to solve them. For more on military and family law matters, please see our previous post, “How are military pensions handled in divorce?“