First shirts give guidance on preparing family for deployment, legal paperwork Published Dec. 4, 2009 First Sergeants Association TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- As evidenced by a recent incident with a single parent who skipped a deployment because she had no one to care for her infant son, every military member with dependents must prepare for the possibility of being away from their family without the ability to care for them. While formal family care plans are mandatory for some military parents, every military parent should take the steps necessary to ensure their dependents are taken care of in the event of a deployment or family emergency. Single military parents, dual military couples with dependents, and military members with civilian spouses who have unique family situations, must coordinate with their first sergeant to complete a formal family care plan. The member and the first sergeant will generate and maintain an AF Form 357, appointing dependent care providers in the event the member must deploy. Military members required to maintain a current family care plan must notify their commander or first sergeant within 30 days of: · Birth or adoption of a child · Loss of a spouse through death, separation, or divorce · Spouse enters the military and you become a dual military couple · Assumption of sole care for elderly or disabled family member · Absence of a spouse through career/job commitment or other personal reason Both formal and informal family care plans should outline arrangements covering both short- and long-term dependent care situations. They should ensure the caregiver has adequate financial means to support family members, and that they have sufficient legal rights to act on your behalf. The best way of ensuring your appointed care givers have this access is through a limited power of attorney. The power of attorney grants your appointed caregiver limited legal powers to act on your behalf in caring for your family members (medical care, enrollment in school, etc). In addition to ensuring their dependents' temporary needs are met while the member is TDY, every parent should think about their dependents' needs in the event of the parent's incapacitation or death. A will is vital to ensuring that the member's desired guardian is granted permanent legal custody of family members left behind. Without a legally-binding will, the state usually decides who takes custody of the deceased member's dependents and to whom the deceased member's estate is distributed to. For more information about family care arrangements, see your first sergeant. For assistance preparing powers of attorney and wills, please contact the base legal office. You owe it to your dependents to ensure they receive adequate care and support when you're unable to provide it due to a deployment or unforeseen emergency situation.