The Unpaid Shift
International Workers' Day highlights the ongoing struggles of working families, particularly in family courts where custody orders lack enforcement. The systemic failure results in significant economic and emotional costs for parents, echoing labor…
Today Is Parental Alienation Awareness Day. My Son Is 7. I Haven’t Had Parenting Time Since He Was 4.
On Parental Alienation Awareness Day, Michael Phillips emphasizes the disconnect between awareness and effective enforcement in family courts. He shares his painful experience of estrangement from his son due to parental alienation, highlighting the…
HB 942 and the Illusion of Enforcement
Maryland's HB 942 aims to criminalize custody order interference, acknowledging its serious impact on families. However, it faces challenges with enforcement, as law enforcement and courts may still prioritize discretion over accountability. True reform…
Failure to Enforce
Many family court orders remain unenforced, leading to a collapse of rights for compliant parents. Courts prioritize new cases, while violators face minimal consequences, creating a disadvantage for those seeking enforcement. This erosion of trust…
The Friendly Parent Trap
The article discusses how the "friendly parent" rule in family courts can unintentionally harm those involved in high-conflict or abusive situations. While designed to promote cooperation, it often punishes protective behaviors, misinterpreting them as…
Idaho Lawmakers Take On a Family Court System Parents Say Has Been Broken for Years
Idaho lawmakers are working on a reform bill to modernize the family court system, responding to long-standing complaints from parents about delays, vague orders, and enforcement issues. The bipartisan task force aims to clarify custody laws, improve…
Broward County Tests a New Model for Family Court Accountability—Will It Actually Help Parents and Children?
Broward County's family court has introduced a pilot program to enhance enforcement of court orders, addressing frequent compliance issues that affect families in crisis. By providing tracking, support, and clear accountability, the initiative aims to…
When Love Is Reframed as “Documentation”
The author shares their struggle with navigating a legal system that fails to enforce court-ordered parenting time, leading to accusations of insincerity when documenting requests. They illustrate how polite obstruction results in parental erasure,…
Two Years Without a Parent — and a Christmas Denial That Says Everything About Family Court Enforcement
Michael Phillips reveals his two-year struggle with denied parenting time despite a standing court order from Montgomery County. He highlights systemic failures within the family court system, emphasizing that when court orders remain unenforced,…