The unwavering commitment of military personnel to protect our nation often requires sacrifices, including time away from loved ones. For those with children, deployments and relocations can create unique challenges when it comes to child custody arrangements. Virginia recognizes the sacrifices made by military families and has specific laws to safeguard the rights of deployed parents and their children.
Whether you’re facing an upcoming deployment or PCS move, understanding how military service can impact your child custody arrangements is essential. Virginia law strives to balance protecting the parent-child relationship and ensuring the child’s best interests are met, even in the face of military-related disruptions.
A shield for service members
Virginia’s Military Parents Equal Protection Act (MPEPA) provides critical protections for military parents facing custody or visitation issues due to deployment or relocation. This Act provides that a parent’s military service cannot be used against them in determining custody or visitation rights. It also outlines specific procedures for temporary custody arrangements during deployment, ensuring the child’s well-being while maintaining the deployed parent’s connection. It also allows for the potential delegation of visitation rights to other family members in the deployed parent’s absence.
Communication is key: Staying connected during deployment
Maintaining a strong bond with your child during deployment is crucial. The MPEPA encourages the non-deploying parent to facilitate communication between the deployed parent and the child through phone calls, emails, video chats and other means. Open and consistent communication can help ease the child’s anxiety and preserve the parent-child relationship despite the physical distance.
Military service presents unique challenges for parents, but Virginia law is committed to protecting the rights of both service members and their children. By understanding the provisions of the MPEPA and prioritizing open communication, military families can successfully navigate child custody issues, ensuring that their children’s best interests are protected even in the face of deployment or relocation. Remember, seeking legal guidance can be invaluable in creating custody arrangements that meet the needs of your family and respect the sacrifices made by military personnel.
