Fort Knox Military Child Custody Lawyer

Fort Knox Military Child Custody Attorney

A custody dispute is almost always a stressful experience, but when one or both parents are in the military, the stakes feel even higher. Frequent moves, surprise deployments, and the federal rules that govern military life create challenges that civilian families rarely encounter. Attorney Michael J. Thompson understands those pressures from both sides. Going through a child custody experience requires the help of a Fort Knox military child custody lawyer.

Why Military Child Custody Cases Are Different

Few legal matters are more emotionally charged than child custody. It’s every parent’s hope to stay connected, involved, and supportive throughout their child’s life. Military service, however, can complicate custody like few other factors.

Deployments, relocation orders, and other demands can disrupt even the most carefully laid parenting plans and introduce a set of challenges uncommon among civilian families. Military custody cases demand not only compassion but an in-depth understanding of both family law and the demands of military service.

Fort Knox Military Child Custody Laws

In the event of a service member’s deployment or receipt of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, state and federal law provide that custody determinations can be temporary and reversible. Kentucky’s approach, at the state level, is known as the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act and can be found in Chapter 403A of the KRS.

Temporary custody during deployment ends automatically when the military parent returns, unless court action intervenes beforehand, and courts must stop limited-contact orders when requested by the deploying parent.

Kentucky law also states that deployment neither establishes nor changes a parent’s legal residence for purposes of jurisdiction under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). In other words, deployment does not change your legal venue for custody.

Military Child Custody Statistics

When considering the challenges military families encounter in custody cases, it’s useful to begin with some statistics. The Department of Defense releases yearly figures regarding active-duty service members and their dependents. The data offers an overview of active duty military family life by presenting details on service members, their number of children, and their daily experiences. Consider the following from 2023:

• 1% of active-duty family members are children.
• 8% of active-duty members have children.
• Most of these children are young, with 40.5% of them being between the ages of 0 and 5.

The data shows that military children are very prominent, and issues regarding custody are not rare. This requires the help of a military child custody attorney to help individuals in the legal process.

How a Lawyer Can Help

A Fort Knox Military Child Custody Lawyer can help handle much of the legal process that you may be uncertain about. When you hire a military child custody attorney, you will likely begin with an initial consultation to discuss your goals and desires while gathering important information. From there, your attorney can help craft ideal parenting plans and schedules. An attorney will likely implement the following:

• Draft custody and visitation agreements that fit with deployment schedules
• Petition for modifications where necessary
• Secure virtual visitations so parents can stay connected to children even when deployed
• Advocate for special hearings if needed
• Enforcing existing orders if the other parent does not abide

We negotiate whenever possible, but we’re fully prepared to litigate in the Christian County Circuit Court or any neighboring jurisdiction when your parenting rights are on the line.

About Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law

It is an honor to serve members of the military and their families throughout Fort Knox, Fort Campbell, and other Kentucky and Tennessee communities near the western tip of Clark County, where the Thompson Law Firm is located. Michael J. Thompson serves as Attorney at Law locally while bringing his military veteran background to provide both regional legal representation and personal military sensitivity understanding.

Attorney Thompson, a native Kentuckian and a U.S. Marine Corps infantryman, knows firsthand what military men and women face at home and in the courts, and we concentrate on the family law matters that matter most to our clients. He is well-versed in military child custody cases and advocates on your behalf.

We advocate for your legal rights with the compassion and knowledge you need to get through this process. We appear regularly in Christian County Circuit Court, as well as in other Kentucky and Tennessee jurisdictions near the Thompson Law Firm’s Clark County office.

FAQs About Fort Knox, KY Military Child Custody Laws

Q: How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost in Kentucky?

A: The cost of a child custody lawyer in Kentucky will vary depending on the specifics of your case and how contested your issues are. Some attorneys charge hourly rates, while others may charge a flat fee. To get a better understanding of your fees, it is most advantageous to speak with your attorney beforehand to understand their pay structure.

Q: How Hard Is It to Get Custody While in the Military?

A: It can be challenging to get custody while in the military, but it’s not impossible. Courts consider the child’s best interests, not just your duty status. The main thing is to demonstrate that you can provide a stable, supportive environment, despite potential deployments or relocations. A solid parenting plan and legal support can greatly influence how the court sees your case.

Q: Can Military Members Get 50/50 Custody in Kentucky?

A: Yes, military members can be awarded 50/50 custody in Kentucky if it is in the best interests of the child or children. The court will assess the capacity for co-parenting, including consistency and home health. Shared custody is possible for military members if you and the other parent can put the child’s needs first and work together.

Q: What Should I Not Say During a Custody Battle?

A: During a custody battle, you should not say anything negative about your child’s other parent, especially in front of the child or in court. Do not tell lies. Also, do not exaggerate any facts. Do not make threats and do not react emotionally. The court is looking to see if you are stable enough to provide a healthy home for the child. Any of these actions could look negatively on your ability to provide a safe environment.

Hire a Military Child Custody Lawyer Today

Going through a military child custody case can be difficult. However, you do not have to handle it alone. Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, can help you. Contact us today to get started.