The Federal Government Will Ground You for Unpaid Child Support. It Has No Answer for Stolen Parenting Time.
The Trump administration's policy, effective May 9, 2026, revokes passports from parents owing over $2,500 in child support debt, without considering individual circumstances. This disproportionately affects struggling parents, especially those involved…
What the Flowers Don’t Know
This Mother's Day, many parents silently endure the heartache of parental alienation, where children become estranged due to manipulation. Family courts often overlook or exacerbate this process, leaving targeted parents marginalized and powerless. The…
The Map Is Not the Problem
Michael Phillips critiques Bruce Lesley's argument on children and gerrymandering, asserting it oversimplifies child welfare issues. While the Supreme Court's Callais decision addresses racial gerrymandering, Phillips emphasizes the real crises in foster…
She Wants Her Name Out of the Story. The First Amendment Has Something to Say About That.
Michael Phillips responds to Christina Avgerinos's demands to remove her and their son's names from his writings. He argues that such requests lack legal authority under First Amendment protections and highlights the broader implications for parental…
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.
The ‘Mom Yells’ Playbook
A two-word claim — “mom yells” — became the foundation for a seven-year custody battle that ended in total estrangement. This investigation traces how a narrative, once introduced into the family court system, can be repeated, reinforced, and ultimately…
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…
The Treaty That Rewards the Kidnapper
Justice Sotomayor's dissent in Castro v. Guevara highlights concerns about the court's handling of "well-settled" determinations in Hague Convention cases. The case involved a Venezuelan mother taking her daughter without consent, raising questions about…
The Equal Parenting Wave Is Here. Judges Should Pay Attention.
A significant shift in American family law is underway, with states like Mississippi, South Carolina, and California advancing equal parenting legislation. This movement proposes 50-50 custody as the default, challenging outdated norms. Advocates argue…
Mississippi Is Four Days Away from Rewriting Custody Law. Here’s What’s at Stake.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves must decide by April 13 whether to sign House Bill 1662, which mandates joint custody as a starting point for custody cases. If signed, it would reshape family court procedures, promoting equal parenting and requiring…