News & Analysis
The Chatbot in the Courtroom: What AI Means for the Parent Representing Themselves
Family courts often see a high rate of self-representation, with many turning to AI tools like ChatGPT for legal advice. While AI offers accessible help, it also poses risks, such as providing incorrect information or compromising legal privilege. Vigilance is crucial, particularly for those without legal representation, highlighting the need for supplemental human support.
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, illustrates how institutions may mask discrimination through paperwork. This ruling impacts various public entities’ obligations under the ADA.
The Squeeze: When Two Broken Systems Land on the Same Parent
A recent federal memo rescinded restrictions on states disqualifying SNAP benefits for noncooperation with child support, potentially affecting struggling parents caught in enforcement gaps. This policy shift underscores systemic issues where child support and custody systems fail to align, adversely impacting parents seeking both economic and parental stability.
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 and an increase in domestic violence. The psychological toll on parents remains inadequately documented.
Disability Pride Month Ends At The Courthouse Door
In July, politicians will commemorate the ADA’s anniversary, yet it doesn’t protect disabled parents in family courts, where their rights often face termination due to disability. Recent studies reveal that 42 states maintain statutes allowing parental rights termination based on disability, highlighting significant legal systemic failures and ongoing discrimination.
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 unique circumstances. A comprehensive approach is needed to address their visibility and safety in court settings.
What to the Parent Is the Fourth of July?
On America’s 250th birthday, Michael Phillips critiques the family court system, arguing it fails to protect parental rights, a fundamental liberty. He highlights discrepancies in legal protections between parents and individuals in criminal cases, presenting the family court as a system that exploits and exhausts families. Phillips calls for accountability and awareness of these grievances.
One Day, Seven Cases: A Court Watcher’s Portrait of Judge Vivian Wang
Judge Vivian Wang, newly appointed in San Mateo County family court, is navigating her first year with a strong commitment to understanding cases and assisting unrepresented litigants. However, her lack of family law experience exposes gaps in legal doctrine application. The systemic challenges in the court impact families more than her individual performance.
Court Denies Brenna Gano’s Motions — But Sets the Stage for Trial
A San Mateo family court judge rejected Brenna Gano’s requests to set aside a contested 2022 settlement, citing statute of limitations issues. While Gano claimed duress and lack of accommodations, the judge ruled her allegations did not meet the threshold for fraud. A full trial is scheduled for December 28, 2026.
The Same Tools
The article explores how tactics used in controlling marriages transition to family court, impacting custody cases. It highlights four parents’ experiences, demonstrating a structural failure of family courts to recognize coercive control patterns. The author argues for reforms to enable courts to assess relationship dynamics in custody decisions and address ongoing litigation abuse.
No One Is Watching: How Montgomery County’s Family Court Operates Without External Oversight, and What Happens to the People Who Notice
An investigation reveals a significant accountability gap in Maryland’s family court system, where civil rights complaints against judges lack external oversight and transparency. Complaints filed are often sealed and unreported, leading to systemic noncompliance without recourse for litigants. This raises critical issues about judicial accountability and the structures that enable potential misconduct.
Parental Alienation as Labor Exploitation
Over 22 million American parents face systemic separation from their children due to parental alienation, a serious issue recognized but inadequately addressed by courts. This exploitation results in significant emotional and economic costs for families, reflecting institutional failure. The legal system must enforce its orders to protect parental rights effectively.
Medicaid, Disability, and Custody
The article discusses the challenges faced by parents with disabilities in custody proceedings, highlighting how loss of Medicaid coverage impacts their parental fitness assessments. Despite legal protections under the ADA, systemic gaps persist, often forcing parents to relinquish custody to access necessary services. This situation exacerbates discrimination in family courts against disabled parents.
They’re Adults Now. He Still Can’t Call Them.
Marc Fishman’s children are no longer caught in a custody battle — they’re adults. And yet the silence remains. His case exposes a reality rarely discussed: when parental alienation succeeds, it doesn’t end. It becomes permanent.
A Father’s Silence: How Jeffrey Reichert Lost His Son to a System That Stopped Listening
Jeffrey Reichert hasn’t seen his son since 2022. Every criminal charge filed against him failed. Yet he lost custody—and contact. This investigation examines how it happened, and what it reveals about Maryland’s family court system.
Inside the California Custody Cartel
In California, family courts are criticized for prioritizing profit over justice, leading to parents like Brenna Gano losing custody rights. Gano’s experience highlights a system where judges and therapists exploit conflicts for financial gain, particularly against those with disabilities, resulting in prolonged suffering and legal challenges. The issue reflects a pervasive crisis in family court…
Born at 23 Weeks. Given 1%. Now Playing for a Championship.
Derick Hall’s inspiring journey began as a premature baby with a 1% survival rate, defying all odds due to his mother’s unwavering belief in his life. Now an NFL linebacker, he honors his roots through the Derick Hall One Percent Foundation, advocating for premature babies and emphasizing that perseverance and family matters far more than…
Withdrawn but Not Resolved: Inside a Maryland Case That Wouldn’t End Quietly
In a Maryland family law case, attorney Jeff Reichert voluntarily dismissed his petition without prejudice, intending to withdraw due to unresolved ADA accommodation issues. Despite this, a pre-trial conference was still scheduled, prompting the opposing counsel to request punitive sanctions. The court ultimately declined to impose any penalties, highlighting procedural complexities.
Five Hearings, No Parent: How Maryland Family Courts Build a Record Without Participation
The article discusses the troubling issue of “non-appearance” in Maryland family courts, particularly highlighted in the case of Jeffrey Reichert. It reveals how the court proceeded with hearings without accommodating Reichert’s disability, leading to unjust rulings. The federal court later affirmed his rights under the ADA, but systemic exclusion persisted, emphasizing the need for reform…
The ADA Survival Guide for Family Court
Disabled parents must proactively assert their rights in family court under the ADA to ensure meaningful participation. This guide emphasizes the importance of requesting reasonable accommodations in writing, documenting any exclusion, and understanding that disability does not equate to unfitness. Early action and clear communication are key to protecting one’s voice.
When Family Court Proceeds Without a Parent, That’s Not “Non-Appearance.” It’s Exclusion.
Jeff Reichert’s case highlights how family courts can proceed without a parent, effectively erasing them from the process due to denied accommodations for disabilities. A federal judge acknowledged the need for remote participation under disability law, yet family court continued without him, penalizing his absence as misconduct. This raises concerns about fairness and legitimacy in…
AI as Accommodation in the Courtroom: Why Self-Represented Litigants Need Support, Not Suspicion
The article highlights the challenges faced by self-represented litigants in family and civil courts, where the legal system assumes knowledge of complex processes. It argues that AI tools can enhance accessibility and support, allowing these individuals to navigate the legal landscape more effectively, ultimately promoting fairness and participation in an often inequitable system.
Florida Bill Targets a Quiet Family Court Problem: Punishing Parents for Legal Medical Care
A proposed Florida bill aims to protect parents who use medical marijuana from having their custody or visitation rights unfairly restricted. The legislation asserts that medical marijuana use should not automatically be deemed harmful, requiring evidence of actual risk instead. This change addresses the stigma against compliant users and seeks to ensure fair family court…
A “Temporary” Order That Never Ended: Lawsuit Highlights Four Years of Father–Child Separation in Maryland
A lawsuit in Baltimore County highlights the issue of temporary family court orders becoming permanent, resulting in prolonged separation between a father, Jeff Reichert, and his son, Grant. Reichert claims a no-contact order led to nearly four years of absence from his son’s life, while raising concerns about third-party interference and disability rights in custody…
Steny Hoyer Retires — And the ADA Legacy That Defined His Career
Steny Hoyer’s legacy in Congress is primarily linked to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, which he helped champion as a chief sponsor. The ADA transformed access and inclusion for millions of people with disabilities, although disparities in employment persist. Hoyer’s disciplined, bipartisan approach exemplified effective governance, reflecting ongoing challenges in enforcing disability…