A $21 Million Verdict Didn’t Give Cynthia Hayek Her Kids Back
A jury awarded Cynthia Hayek and Kenneth Hamp more than $21 million after finding that false abuse allegations helped cost Hayek her children. The judgment survived appeal. What remains unclear is whether the custody system ever gave her relationship…
The Pipeline Nobody Audits
A report reveals that left-leaning professors significantly outnumber conservatives in U.S. election law courses, affecting courtroom outcomes. In contrast, family court lacks similar analysis of training and credentialing for professionals, leaving its…
A Massachusetts Family Says the State Took Their Daughter Over a Gender Dispute. The Record Is More Complicated Than the Viral Version.
A Massachusetts couple says the state took custody of their teenage daughter after they refused to affirm a male gender identity. But a confirmed criminal charge, sealed Juvenile Court records and Massachusetts custody law leave major questions…
“Worth It”: When a Custody Order Isn’t Enough to Save a Child
Jake Stoner went to court, won emergency custody of his infant son and reported the violation when the boy disappeared. Weeks later, an employer’s background check found the mother before the child-recovery system did. By then, it was too late.
The Medical Necessity Dodge
A federal appeals court rejected a defense used by institutions to deny accommodations for disabled individuals, ruling that self-determined medical necessity cannot end ADA inquiries. The case of Bilal Adom, who was denied incontinence supplies,…
The Subsidy Nobody Qualifies For
A proposed federal rule would allow income-eligible married households to receive about $9,000 per child annually for at-home caregiving, excluding unmarried parents regardless of caregiving efforts. Critics argue this shift focuses benefits on married…
The Standard Nobody Can Escape
The Maine Supreme Court's ruling in Bickford v. Bradeen clarified family court authority over disputes, particularly regarding a child's religious upbringing. It rejected previously required heightened scrutiny and established that courts can apply a…
The Prescription Nobody Can Enforce
A West Virginia father's push for timely vaccinations for their children clashes with their mother's vaccine skepticism, leading to custody disputes in family court. The article explores the inadequacies of family court in resolving medical disagreements…
The Custody Standard the Dog Got First
Illinois' House Bill 4540, known as "Rosie's Law," establishes a best-interest test for companion animal custody disputes, effective January 1, 2027. It allows courts to consider caregiving history and emotional bonds among various relationships, unlike…
The Orders That Can’t Follow You Home
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao responded to a viral plea from Marine spouse Jamie Lenio, who feared being trapped overseas during her divorce. While Cao's order facilitated her family's return, it did not address the underlying legal issue of…