The Jerseys Test: An Ohio Ex-Wife, a Handgun, and a $500,000 Bond
An Ohio woman accused of threatening her ex-husband and firing two handgun rounds faces attempted aggravated murder charges and a $500,000 bond. The case raises questions about domestic violence, pretrial release and whether public reactions change when…
The Gap Has No Side
A recent analysis reveals that family courts inadequately protect domestic violence victims due to implementation issues rather than legal authority. The research indicates systemic failures affect both victims and accused parents. Proposed reforms…
A Rash of Parents Killing Their Children? Twenty-One Cases From 2025–2026 and What They Show
The article reveals a grim series of 21 filicide cases from January 2025 to September 2026, detailing parental violence against children in various states. Many families had prior contact with child welfare or mental health services, raising questions…
The Narrative Nobody Fact-Checks
A recent tabloid story about Brad Pitt explores how narratives surrounding custody disputes can be reshaped over time. It emphasizes discrepancies between Pitt's past admissions of drinking problems and the anonymous claims blaming his ex-wife Angelina…
Arizona Rewrites Its Domestic Violence Custody Standard: What the Alec and Lydia Act Actually Changes
Arizona’s Alec and Lydia Act removes the old “significant domestic violence” threshold and replaces it with a broader, more structured custody standard. Here’s what HB2995 actually changes — and what remains unresolved.
Diagnosis as Evidence
In California family courts, a parent's psychiatric diagnosis can suffice as evidence of dangerousness for a domestic violence restraining order, even without corroboration. The law's low evidentiary standard allows subjective claims to influence serious…
The Alienation Shortcut
When abuse records and alienation claims collide, courts have to decide what evidence matters. New laws are trying to force judges to review the record — but almost nobody reviews the judges.
The Order Nobody Signs For: How Protective-Order Extensions Can Outrun Service
Temporary protective orders serve as a critical bridge between emergency situations and formal hearings, relying heavily on the effective service of process. When service fails, respondents may be unable to contest orders, leading to potential injustice.…
The Ledger Nobody Kept: What COVID-Era Guidance Did to Custody
The pandemic's impact on custody and family courts has been significant yet largely unquantified, as seen in the backlog of cases and the misuse of COVID-19 as a pretext in custody disputes. This situation was exacerbated by inconsistent court operations…
The Force Multiplier
The family court system overlooks the specific needs of disabled children in custody disputes, failing to recognize how coercive control impacts their well-being. These children face heightened risks of abuse, and current legal reforms neglect their…