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Tips for interstate custody from military co-parents

On Behalf of | Jul 27, 2021 | Child Custody |

Divorce is seldom a life event that’s easy. Many divorcing spouses want to start their lives anew, which often means that one or both will relocate. Children often get caught in the middle, with parents living in different states.

You may wonder how to handle custody and visitation when one parent lives some distance away from the other. You might want to look to how military parents, who often live in different states or even different countries, handle custody for some ideas in your interstate custody situation.

Staying in touch when you can’t see your child in person

Even though service members may not have the ability to see their child in person on a regular basis, it doesn’t mean that they’re absent from their kids’ lives. Service members often make phone calls to their children in their state or catch up with them on a video call. Service members have to do this when they are deployed abroad. Civilian parents who live in or travel to other countries for work may have to do the same.

It’s not uncommon for service members to also do what’s called “substitute visitations.” This may involve their child spending time with an aunt or uncle, grandparent, cousin or other close relative instead of a parent living in another state or country.

In instances when a parent visits from another state, they might ask to have extended time with their child to make up for the time that passes between visits.

Could service members’ strategies benefit you in your interstate custody case?

Engaging in custody negotiations is never easy, but some of the above-referenced strategies may help ensure that both you and your co-parent remain present in your child’s life. It’s wise to look at all of your custody and visitation options if you and your co-parent are going to be living in different states.

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