Extended Delegation for Military Service
Military service creates unique challenges for parents. Deployments, training rotations, and reassignments can take a service member away from home for extended periods. Arizona recognizes this reality and gives military parents more flexibility than the standard delegation rules allow.
A military member who is a parent or guardian of a minor child or ward may delegate to another person, for a period not to exceed one year, any powers the parent or guardian have regarding care, custody or property of the minor child or ward, except the power to consent to marriage or adoption of the minor child or ward.
A.R.S. § 14-5107(A)While A.R.S. 14-5104 limits civilian parents and guardians to a six-month delegation, this statute doubles that window to a full year. The scope of authority is the same: care, custody, and property decisions for the minor child or ward. And the same restrictions apply. No one can delegate the power to consent to marriage or adoption.
Who Qualifies as a Military Member
The statute defines "military member" broadly enough to cover most active service situations.
"Military member" means an active duty member of the army, navy, air force or marines, or a member of the reserve or national guard engaged in the performance of official duties or functions under the authority of title 10 or 32, United States Code.
A.R.S. § 14-5107(B)This includes active duty personnel across all branches, as well as reservists and National Guard members who are performing official duties. For military families in Arizona, this provision offers meaningful peace of mind when a deployment or assignment takes a parent away for an extended period.
