After the Super Bowl Sting: What the Headlines Miss About Exploitation, Families, and Prevention
In the wake of the Super Bowl, coordinated sex trafficking stings resulted in numerous arrests and victim rescues. However, to effectively combat trafficking, society must address deeper issues such as family instability, which increases vulnerability. A…
Maryland’s SB481 and the Enforcement Illusion: When “Shall” Still Means “Maybe”
Maryland's Senate Bill 481 aims to address custodial interference by mandating additional visitation when interference is found. However, the lack of enforcement mechanisms and broad judicial discretion may hinder its effectiveness. Real reform needs…
Utah’s OMS Law Shows How Family Court Reform Can Actually Happen
Utah's OMS Law reforms family courts by necessitating evidence for abuse allegations in custody cases, aiming to prevent wrongful penalization and uphold parental rights. This law is gaining national attention as a model for fostering fairness in custody…
New York Judicial Misconduct Underscores Need for Accountability, Especially in Family Courts
A recent case involving Justice Sherri L. Eisenpress from Rockland County, NY highlights the need for judicial accountability, especially in family law matters. Charged with multiple breaches of conduct, her undisclosed relationships with attorneys…
When Custody Conflict Turns Criminal: Violence Is Never a Parental Right
A custody dispute turned violent when a biological father allegedly opened fire on his daughter’s adoptive parents, underscoring the hard line between legitimate parental advocacy and criminal responsibility—and the urgent need to protect children before…
Accountability and Professionalism in Family Law: Lessons from a Baltimore County Disbarment
The Maryland Supreme Court disbarred divorce lawyer Judith Marie Hamilton for abandoning a client, mishandling funds, and failing to cooperate with investigations. This case highlights the need for ethical conduct in family law, stressing that lawyers…
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…
When the System Meant to Protect Families Is Put on Trial
Federal prosecutors have charged a Michigan probate judge amid a corruption investigation targeting the state's probate system, which oversees guardianships and estates. Allegations suggest manipulation for personal gain at the expense of vulnerable…
When International Custody Law Collides With Family Court Reality
A Maryland father is using the Hague Convention to seek the return of his child from the U.S. to Brazil, highlighting the fragility of parental rights in international custody disputes. The case reveals complexities in applying international law amid…
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…