Military Family Care Plan

A Military Family Care Plan is a method to make sure military dependents are taken care of when service members are deployed. It is required by the military command in the following situations:

• A single parent with custody of minor children;
• A single service member who is pregnant;
• Military couples with custody of minor children;
• A service member who is the sole caregiver of another person, such as a service member who has a spouse who is injured, chronically sick, or otherwise unable to care for dependents.
• A service member with a family member who speaks little or no English. This family member may be unable to drive and get access to basic resources.

Creating a Military Family Care Plan

A Military Family Care Plan should have:

• a short-term care plan and
• a long-term care plan.
• it should also have the name and address/phone number of the care provider that you choose.

Short-Term Military Family Care Plan

Under the Short-Term Case Plan, (if the military service member is gone for less than 30 days), you should have the following information:

• How the service member’s family should be cared for while you are gone for less than 30 days;
• If a care provider is necessary and who the care provider that you will be.  A care provider mus be:
  • A civilian (non-military person),
  • Must live in the local area, and
  • Must sign a copy of the Family Care Plan.

Long-Term Military Family Care Plan

The Long-Term Care Plan details who will care for the service member’s family if they are gone for more than 31 days.  This is the plan they will use in the case of deployment, extended training, or involuntary recalls.

Under the Long-Term Care Plan, the chosen care provider must be:

• A civilian (non-military person);
• DOES NOT have to live in the local area (different than in short-term plan); and
• Must sign a copy of the Family Care Plan.

It is important to note that both the short-term and long-term care plans must name the care provider. They should also include the necessary information for the care provider to care for children (or other family members) and to run the household if needed.

Review the Family Care Plan at least once a year to make sure you do not need to change it. Also, make sure that the chosen care provider is still able to care for the family if the military service member is gone.

When updating the plan, think about any changes including: medical care, addresses, school, contacts, or other resources.

For more information relating to Family Law and Military Service Members, please visit our Military Family Law page.  If you have specific questions or need help with a Military Family Law matter, please contact our office at 360.471.3300 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.