Entitlement for Expenses Involving Divided Custody of Children

The issues presented relate to the allowability of travel and transportation expenses and education allowances for the children of an employee stationed outside the continental United States in the light of a divorce decree providing that custody of the children shall be divided equally between the employee and his former wife. Based on the facts of the case, GAO concluded that the employee, as a new appointee, may be allowed travel and transportation expenses for his children under 5 U.S.C. 5722 and education allowances for his children under 5 U.S.C. 5924. The period of entitlement for each child begins with the time when the facts and the intent of the parties show that the child became a member of the employee's household at the overseas duty station. The employee may not be allowed the expenses or allowances for visitation travel when the child actually resides elsewhere.