Key Takeaways
- The military requires a family care plan from certain service members with dependents, such as single parents and dual-military couples, so someone can care for children if they deploy.
- A plan names short-term and long-term caregivers and shows how they’ll handle money, medical care, housing and travel.
- Supporting legal documents include powers of attorney, a temporary guardianship authorization, medical consent and a will.
- Your installation’s legal assistance office can usually prepare or review documents at no cost.
- Even if you’re not required to have a formal plan, every deploying service member benefits from the same preparation.
What is a family care plan?
A family care plan is the military’s way of making sure dependents, especially children, are cared for when a service member deploys, trains away from home or is unexpectedly called to duty. Each service branch has its own rules, but the plan generally documents:
- Short-term caregiver: someone nearby who can step in immediately
- Long-term caregiver: someone who can care for the children for an extended deployment
- Financial arrangements: how caregivers will pay for the children’s needs
- Logistics: how children will get to the long-term caregiver, and access to military ID cards and benefits
Who needs one?
Requirements vary by branch, but family care plans are typically required for:
- Single service members with custody of children or other dependents
- Dual-military couples with dependents
- Service members whose spouse can’t care for dependents, for example because of a disability
Your command will tell you if you need one and which forms to complete.
The legal documents that support your plan
| Document | What it does | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary guardianship authorization | Gives a caregiver authority over your children’s daily life | See our temporary guardianship guide |
| Medical consent form for minors | Lets the caregiver approve medical care | Give copies to doctors and schools |
| Special (limited) power of attorney | Authorizes specific tasks, like managing a lease or a vehicle | Banks and landlords often prefer specific POAs |
| General or durable financial power of attorney | Broad authority over your finances | Grant carefully and to someone you trust |
| Health care power of attorney and HIPAA release | Who decides about your own care if you’re injured | Pair with a living will |
| Will | Guardian for children, who inherits | Legal assistance offices often help with wills |
Learn more: temporary guardianship form, medical consent form for a minor and power of attorney explained.
Pre-deployment checklist
- Complete your family care plan with your command, if required.
- Confirm caregivers have agreed and know what’s expected.
- Sign powers of attorney, guardianship and medical consent documents.
- Update your will and beneficiary designations, including military life insurance.
- Make sure dependents’ ID cards and benefits enrollment are current.
- Give caregivers copies of everything, plus children’s medical information and routines.
- Tell the other parent, if applicable, about your plan and any custody considerations.
Frequently asked questions
Requirements vary by branch, but they typically include single parents, dual-military couples with dependents, and service members whose spouse can’t care for dependents. Your command will confirm.
No. If you share custody, a family care plan doesn’t change a court order. Coordinate with the other parent and, if needed, the court.
Installation legal assistance offices commonly prepare wills and powers of attorney for eligible service members at no cost.
Only someone you trust completely. Many service members use special powers of attorney limited to specific tasks instead.
It’s strongly recommended, especially if you have children, so you can nominate a guardian and direct your assets.
Keep reading
- Life Events That Should Trigger a Legal CheckupA new baby, moving in together, divorce, remarriage, deployment or studying abroad all change which legal documents you need. Here's what to update and when.
- New Baby Legal Checklist: Documents to Handle Before and After BirthBeyond the crib and car seat: the legal and financial to-dos for new parents, from birth certificates and insurance deadlines to naming a guardian.
- Moving In Together: The Legal and Financial ChecklistMoving in with a partner? The legal and financial checklist: lease or title, shared expenses, renters insurance, cohabitation agreement, HIPAA and powers of attorney.
- Estate Planning After Divorce: What to UpdateAfter a divorce, update your will, beneficiaries, powers of attorney and health care documents. Learn what changes automatically, what doesn't, and the timing traps.
- Estate Planning for Blended FamiliesIn blended families, a simple will can accidentally disinherit your children or leave your spouse with too little. Learn the common pitfalls and tools that protect everyone.
- Study Abroad Document Checklist for Students and ParentsPassport, visa, insurance and the legal documents that let parents help from home: a study abroad checklist covering powers of attorney, HIPAA, FERPA and more.
If something happens, who can step in for your kids?
Name the people who can get medical updates, consent to care and look after your children if you can’t, with HIPAA, medical authorization and temporary guardianship forms. The No Brainer Box adds powers of attorney, a living will and travel consent.
- Answer a few simple questions online
- Download your completed, ready-to-sign forms
- Sign them and keep copies in your account
This guide is general educational information written by the No Brainer Forms Team. It is not legal advice, and No Brainer Forms is not a law firm. Laws and signing requirements vary by state; for advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.