Congressman Attempts to Protect Child Custody for Troops
Child custody is probably the most sensitive as well as the most contentious part of a divorce case. It’s tough enough for parents who live in the same geographical area to work out these issues. One can only imagine how difficult working out a child custody agreement can be when one of the parents is a service member.
According to a news report, Ohio congressman Michael Turner is proposing for the fifth time, a legislation to prevent past, present or future deployments from being used against a service member as the foundation for establishing or altering child custody arrangements. The last four times he proposed it, Turner met with opposition from the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Defense Department.
Turner argues that this legislation will prevent service members from losing child custody simply due to of their military service. The Pentagon and the Armed Services Committee say there are too few cases to warrant a change in federal law. Others also believe the federal government has no business getting into the arena of family law.
Any child custody dispute can be emotionally and financially draining for everyone involved. No child custody decision is set in stone. A family law attorney can in most cases help parents resolve their issues and arrive at a compromise, which is in the best interests of the children.
Michael Monheit is the managing lawyer at Monheit Law, outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has practiced law since 1989. Michael Monheit was the managing attorney of the law offices of Herbert Monheit — now Silverman and Fodera — a firm... Michael Monheit→