How can a service member ensure regular contact with his or her children during deployment?

Generally, military will not get involved in custody disputes. They’re not there to mediate in any way, shape, or form. The JAG officers will try to intercede until it becomes too contested. Contact during deployment is best ensured by the court order, and enforcing your rights through court if the other parent won’t let you see the children when you are back. If you are deployed or assigned somewhere where it’s safe to have children and your court order doesn’t allow that, you should go to court to get a court order to allow it.

Carolyn Grimes is a family lawyer at the law firm of Wade Grimes Friedman Sutter & Leischner PLLC in Alexandria, Virginia. To learn more about Grimes and her firm, visit www.oldtownlawyers.com.