Co-parents these days have a higher likelihood of going for joint custody as opposed to sole custody due to numerous factors. However, one thing can get in the way of a seamless co-parenting arrangement: distance.
This is particularly difficult for co-parents in the military who have to deal with relocations and deployment. In these situations, what can parents do to make their arrangements work?
Providing support to military parents
The National Conference of State Legislatures examines working with a parent in the military on child custody matters. Fortunately, due to the increased number of military parents divorcing, state law took notice of the need for additional legislation. Many states introduced the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act (UDPCVA), while other states adopted similar but differing policies.
How do these acts help?
These acts and policies allow for exemptions from certain aspects of divorce that would create unnecessary hurdles for military parents. For example, Article 3 of the UDPCVA allows for certain processes to go through at an expedited rate. This same article also prevents a co-parent from making any permanent custody arrangement changes without the okay of their deployed ex-spouse, keeping things fair for those on military leave who cannot protect their rights.
Article 2 also allows for the creation of a procedure for making out-of-court agreements about visitation and custody during deployment. As these situations can change with very little warning, being able to skip a potentially lengthy court process can make all of the difference.
With some of these concerns off the table, it is easier for parents to focus on parenting and not worry about the ramifications of co-parenting from long distances.
↧
