A permanent change of station (PCS) means a long-term move for service members. This type of assignment requires them to stay at a military location or base for years, sometimes at least two. Such a long-term change can really affect child custody arrangements and how military parents stay connected with their children.
If you’re a military parent in Washington state facing a PCS, it’s important to know the legal steps you should take during this big move. This can help you stay compliant with your original custody order and maintain a good relationship with your child.
Military child custody during PCS
A PCS leads to different considerations depending on whether the military parent plans to move with the child. If the military parent plans to move the child, here’s what usually needs to happen:
- The relocating parent must give written notice to the other parent at least 60 days before the move.
- The relocating parent must get court approval to move the child.
- The court will decide if the move is best for the child.
- If the court approves the move, the parents must make changes to the current parenting plan.
If the military parent moves without the child, the parenting plan likely needs these changes:
- The parents may need to change the visitation schedule to work with long-distance parenting.
- The parents should include regular video calls to keep the military parent and child connected.
- The parents should decide who pays for travel for in-person visits.
Whether the child moves or not, these documents are important to keep in mind:
- Family care plan update: The military parent must update their family care plan. This is a military document that says who will take care of the child when the parent is away for deployments or other duties. The PCS means this plan needs to reflect the new circumstances.
- Parenting plan review: Even if the child isn’t moving, the parents might need to make some changes to their parenting plan because of the PCS.
PCS orders are a normal part of military life. In Washington, courts try to find a balance between what’s best for the child and what military life requires.
Getting legal help
Military parents dealing with a PCS and child custody should consider consulting with an attorney who knows about military divorce and custody. This attorney can help them handle these complicated issues.
