According to March 2026 data from the Defense Manpower Data Center, Virginia is home to more than 123,000 active duty service members, ranking second in the country. For the tens of thousands of those service members raising families in Virginia, deployment can put a child custody arrangement under serious strain. If you are a military parent, a deployment can raise hard questions about your custody rights. What happens to your parenting time while you are gone? Can the other parent use your absence to change the agreement for good?
A Stafford, VA child custody attorney can help you protect your parental rights in 2026.
Does Virginia Law Protect Military Parents from Losing Custody During Deployment?
Virginia has specific protections for military parents facing deployment. The Virginia Military Parents Equal Protection Act, codified at Virginia Code sections 20-124.7 through 20-124.10, was passed to make sure serving your country does not cost you your relationship with your child.