When parents divorce, often their children can face a confusing period of transition. What was once a single family unit is now divided. In such a time, children may be able to seek some solace by spending time with their grandparents.
But what if only one of a child’s parents is at home while the other is deployed overseas on active duty in the military? In cases of military divorce, it can be more difficult to ensure that a child is able to spend time with the parents of the deployed spouse.
If you are a deployed service member who is in the process of getting divorced, your child could greatly benefit from spending time with your parents. After all, your family represents half of the child’s heritage. Also, your parents will likely want to have a continuing relationship with their grandchild.
For this reason, it is a good idea to create a child custody agreement that grants your parents, or other family members, regular visitation periods. Such an arrangement also ensures that the care of the child can be divided. This division of custody can help lighten the weight of responsibility from the shoulders of the stateside parent and his or her family.
Attorney Keith E. Holloway represents spouses who are filing for a military divorce. His services include helping deployed military members get temporary custody orders that contain provisions allowing other family members to have visitation time with their children. His Web page on military divorce services has more information.