Protect Your Relationship With Your Children While Serving Your Country

Last Updated on February 11, 2025

The North Carolina Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (NCSCRA) laws recognize that military service creates distinct challenges for custody arrangements. However, you need the services of a legal team that understands both family law and military regulations to manage these specialized military custody provisions.

Scott Law Group, serving North Carolina families since 1999, delivers consistent results for military parents in Kernersville, Winston-Salem and surrounding communities. Our team maintains direct communication throughout your case. We provide our attorney’s cell phone number and copy you on all correspondence to inform you of every development.

How Military Service Impacts Your Child Custody Case

Military child custody cases involve unique matters that must be addressed with care and precision:

• Deployments and Temporary Duty Assignments (TDYs): A parent’s deployment or TDY can significantly impact custody and visitation arrangements. North Carolina law provides protections, like temporary custody modifications, to help ensure military parents maintain a relationship with their children even during periods of separation.
• Relocation due to military orders: A permanent change of station (PCS) order may necessitate a move across the country or overseas. Courts must weigh these relocations carefully, balancing the military parent’s duty with the child’s need for stability.
• Co-parenting across time zones and locations: This can complicate co-parenting because custody agreements may need to include provisions for virtual visitation, ensuring meaningful contact despite physical separation.
• Military parenting plans: Effective custody arrangements for military families often incorporate flexible schedules to account for the unpredictability of military life, like detailed plans for holiday visits, leave periods and communication during deployments.
• The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): This federal law protects military members from default judgments in custody cases and provides options for postponing court proceedings during active duty.

Child custody determinations are made based on what is in the child’s best interests. While military obligations can introduce challenges, the law explicitly prohibits judges from denying custody or visitation solely due to a parent’s military status or potential for deployment. Our lawyers can help ensure that your parenting plan is tailored to account for the realities of military life.

Let Us Talk About Your Child’s Best Interest

With Scott Law Group, you can maintain strong relationships with your children while fulfilling your duties. Contact our Kernersville office via 336-993-5000 or online to discuss your military custody case.