Augusta Active-Duty Parenting Plan Attorneys Helping With Child Custody
A divorce or child custody dispute is immensely complicated when it comes to parents who are active-duty military service members.
You deserve legal advocates who understand how military life can interact with family courts.
For 25 years, Tisdale Middleton & Land has stood beside Georgia military families in their most critical hours. Our high rate of referrals reflects our reputation as successful trial attorneys who protect parents’ rights. We guide service members and spouses through family law and military divorce across Evans, Augusta and greater Georgia. If you are currently stationed out-of-state or overseas, we can help you, too.
How Georgia Handles Active-Duty Military Parenting Plans
In Georgia, custody decisions are always governed by the standard of the best interests of the child. However, Georgia has certain regulations to prevent the court from penalizing active-duty military members for their service obligations.
Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-1(b)(2)(G), every military custody decree must address the following issues:
- Outline a transition to temporary physical custody for nondeploying parents during deployments.
- Determine a method for maintaining regular contact and set a schedule for minimum contact during deployment.
- Schedule time for the child to spend time with the deployed parent’s family to maintain a familial bond during deployment.
- Define when and how to reinstate a regular parenting schedule once the active-duty parent comes home.
These provisions help to establish guidelines amidst the uncertainty of military assignments. They preserve continuity for your child while you complete your service duties. A thoughtful parenting plan for active-duty parents can also prevent legal disputes when orders arrive.
The Legal Protections For Military Custody And Relocation Rights
According to O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3(i), family law judges in Georgia may not issue permanent custody modifications while a service member is deployed. Once deployment ends, the predeployment custodial arrangement resumes. At the federal level, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) also prevents a civilian parent from obtaining default custody judgments while you serve away from home.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) assignments introduce different legal realities than deployments. A PCS move relocates a service member indefinitely. Georgia statutes mandate written advance notice requirements before any relocation occurs. Because a PCS move alters school districts and daily schedules, you need a divorce attorney who drafts adaptable terms before relocation orders issue. Managing a military divorce for active-duty parents requires proactive planning for both short tours and permanent moves.
Contact An Evans Attorney About Active-Duty Parenting Plans
Handling divorce for active-duty military parents demands a skilled divorce lawyer who prepares every case for the courtroom. We analyze your deployment schedule, draft protective terms and defend your parental bond at trial. Contact us at 706-303-0734 or send us an email to schedule your initial consultation.