Being in the military can be both an honor and a sacrifice. It involves leaving one’s family, friends, and routine behind in order to protect the country and its people. However, this sacrifice also creates a unique situation where one might have to deal with child support while they are deployed. Here is how military personnel can handle child support during their deployment.
Understand the Legal Requirements
The first step in handling child support during military service deployment is to understand the applicable legal requirements. The Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA) is the federal law that governs the division of military retirement benefits and other military benefits in divorce cases. However, each state has its own child support laws, which may vary.
Communicate with Your Dependents
Before deploying, military personnel must ensure that they communicate effectively with their dependents about child support obligations. They must clearly explain to their dependents how much they are obligated to pay, how payments work, and what happens if payments are not made. Military personnel should provide contact information for the person responsible for handling child support payments while they are deployed.
Assign a Power of Attorney
In order to ensure that child support payments are made on time, military personnel can assign a power of attorney to someone they trust. A power of attorney gives another person the authority to act on one’s behalf. This person can be responsible for ensuring that child support payments are made, that any necessary paperwork is filed, and that communication with the court and ex-spouse regarding child support is maintained.
Explore Available Resources
Military personnel who are experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for assistance through the military. For example, there are emergency financial assistance programs that military personnel can utilize to pay for essential needs, such as food, housing, and child care. Additionally, there are non-profit organizations that offer assistance to military personnel and their families with child support, child care, and other necessary expenses.
Notify Your Chain of Command
It is important for military personnel to notify their chain of command about their child support obligations and any issues that may arise. This ensures that the military unit is aware of the situation and can provide necessary support. Military personnel should also communicate effectively with their commanding officer regarding how much time they need to handle child support obligations and what assistance they require.
Seek Legal Counsel
If military personnel are unsure about their legal rights and obligations regarding child support during deployment, they can seek legal counsel. There are various legal assistance programs available to military personnel through the military, which provide legal advice and representation on a range of issues, including child support.
Conclusion
Handling child support during military service deployment can be challenging, but by understanding the legal requirements, communicating effectively with dependents, assigning a power of attorney, exploring available resources, notifying the chain of command, and seeking legal counsel, military personnel can ensure that child support obligations remain fulfilled. Ultimately, it is important for military personnel to prioritize their family’s needs and communicate effectively, even when they are deployed.