{"id":1407,"date":"2025-08-28T15:28:41","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T15:28:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patriotslaw.com\/family-law\/?p=1407"},"modified":"2025-08-28T15:28:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T15:28:44","slug":"post-divorce-moves-how-to-handle-pcs-orders-when-custody-is-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patriotslaw.com\/family-law\/post-divorce-moves-how-to-handle-pcs-orders-when-custody-is-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Post-Divorce Moves: How to Handle PCS Orders When Custody Is Final"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Military service members who get divorced typically negotiate or litigate a child custody order as part of their divorce decree or judgment. When this occurs, the custody order will be based\u00a0 on the military parent\u2019s current location at the time of divorce. But service members may receive Permanent Change of Station orders from the military that require them to relocate to another base, installation, or duty station. So how do you address child custody arrangements<\/a> set by a finalized court order when you receive PCS orders?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What PCS Orders Mean After Divorce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The military will issue a servicemember a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order<\/a> when it reassigns the servicemember to another duty station for a long-term assignment, usually two to four years at a minimum. PCS orders may assign a servicemember to CONUS \u2013 a location inside the 48 continental states and the District of Columbia \u2013 or OCONUS \u2013 a location outside the 48 continental states and the District of Columbia, including Alaska or Hawaii. A PCS order can cover a servicemember’s travel expenses, including the cost of relocating the servicemember’s family (such as moving personal or household items)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receiving PCS orders after divorce when you and your ex have minor children can upend your family\u2019s existing custody arrangement, as you may move to a different state or country for several years. Depending on your new duty station, continuing your family\u2019s custody arrangement may become difficult or impractical. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Custody Arrangements and PCS Conflicts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Custody orders issued by a court remain binding after a divorce, even if a family’s circumstances change due to factors such as PCS orders. A military parent’s PCS orders can create conflicts over the family’s custody arrangement. For example, when a non-custodial military parent receives PCS orders, they may become unable to continue exercising their parenting time. Conversely, when a custodial military parent receives PCS orders, they cannot relocate with their children to another state or country without the court’s approval, as state custody laws often prohibit relocating children subject to custody orders from the state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Options When Facing PCS Orders After Custody Is Final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Military parents have several options for addressing child custody challenges after receiving a PCS order, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n