Enlisting and committing yourself to a position in the U.S. military is a big sacrifice. It can cause difficulties within your relationships and cause you to miss out on many things. Sometimes military members will go through divorce or become widowed while in the military, leaving them as single parents. Likewise, sometimes single parents decide to join the military because of its stable income and good benefits.
While single parents can certainly make it work, when you are away for training or deployed for an extended period of time, it’s extremely important that you have a Family Care Plan in place. One of the most vital aspects of such a plan is the requirement to name a temporary guardian for when you are away – especially when only given short notice.
Family Care Plans, which are required for single parents in the military, can help to prevent or resolve many different familial issues that may arise. These plans provide a variety of solutions for various possibilities:
Short-term Care Provider
When determining who you want to be a short-term care provider for your children, you must choose someone who is not currently in the military. This is because this individual must be available at all times to take temporary custody of your kids.
Long-term Care Provider
As with the short-term care provider, the individual that you choose as your long-term care provider should be someone not currently in the military as he or she must also be available at the drop of a hat. Like the short-term care provider, he or she will assume custody of your kids if you must go away for an extended period of time.
Care Provision Details.
Also within your Family Care Plan are care provision details for what is to happen in terms of finances, medical, legal, and relocation support, if someone else must care for your children long-term.
If you aren’t able to care for your kids and adequately carry out your responsibilities in the military at the same time, your commander may issue an involuntary separation due to parenthood under Chapter 5-8, AR 635-200. This separation can be avoided with a successfully drafted Family Care Plan.
The Court-Martial Law Division of Aviso Law LLC Helps Military Members in Colorado Who Are Single Parents
You shouldn’t be made to choose your kids over your career in the military. That’s why a Family Care Plan is so important, as it prevents potential issues with the custody and care of your children while you are away doing your job. A poorly written plan can result in the loss of your military career if not careful.
That’s why it’s so important to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced military attorney as soon as possible.
If you are a military service member and have received an involuntary separation due to parenthood, the Court-Martial Law Division of Aviso Law LLC can help. We proudly serve our military members, who sacrifice so much for our country. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!
