Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a servicemember who cannot appear because of duty may request a stay, which courts generally must grant for at least 90 days if statutory conditions are met. The request should include a statement explaining how duties materially affect the ability to appear and a letter from the commanding officer indicating that leave is not available. Additional stays may be requested if the conflict continues. Courts balance these protections with the child’s best interests in custody matters, so be prepared to propose practical interim parenting arrangements. Filing early and providing deployment documentation helps avoid default or adverse orders. The SCRA statute and judicial guides outline the required content for a stay request. Please contact us for more comprehensive consultations.