Child Custody Plans for Military Parents in Illinois

 Posted on March 20, 2024 in Child Custody

Creating a parenting time schedule that meets the needs of the child and provides both parents with the opportunity to spend quality time with their children can be difficult for anyone. When one or both parents serve in the military, making the right parenting plan can be even more challenging. Military parents will often need to build flexibility into their parenting plan if there is a chance that a parent will be deployed before the child turns 18 years old. Most people who serve in the military do not remain stationed in the same place for more than a few years at a time, so if your children are younger than about 16 years old, it is likely that parental relocation will become an issue during your proceedings. An experienced Naperville, IL, child custody lawyer can help you create a plan that works for you and your children.

Be Flexible With Your Parenting Time 

It is usually better for parents who serve in the military to work together to create a child custody plan, as they can create a more flexible and adaptive plan than the court might. You will likely need to account for the possibility of deployment, meaning that a fixed schedule may be impractical. Most parents will use language in their parenting plan allowing the parent who is not deployed to have full custody and decision-making rights if the other parent is serving overseas and may be difficult to reach in an emergency. You can also add a clause stating that a parent who returns from deployment should have make-up time with the child - possibly after a brief period of readjustment.

Contingency Plans if Both Parents Deploy Simultaneously

In the somewhat unlikely event that both parents are deployed at the same time, who should have temporary custody of your children? What decision-making rights should that person or couple have? Most parents will name a grandparent or sibling as their child’s temporary legal caregiver.

Relocating With a Child 

Some children of military parents do very well moving frequently and experiencing different parts of the country or international military bases. Others do better when they have stability and a permanent home area. You, as parents, will need to determine which category your child falls under so that you can create a parenting time schedule that suits their needs.

Contact a Naperville, IL Child Custody Attorney

Law Office of Ronald L. Hendrix, P.C. can help parents who serve to create the right parenting plan collaboratively. Attorney Hendrix is a court-appointed mediator and has a Master’s degree in guidance and counseling, enabling him to help parents in conflict work together to do what is best for their children. Our Will County, IL child custody lawyers will do all we can to help military families through complex child custody issues. Contact us at 630-355-7776 for a complimentary consultation.