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…
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…
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…
The Alienation Accusation Loop
The article discusses the dangers of the "alienation accusation loop" in family courts, where the focus shifts from child safety to interpreting children's resistance as manipulation. This shift can lead to severe consequences for children and protective…
Allegation vs. Counter-Allegation
Family courts often struggle with allegations and counter-allegations, leading to a “tie” where truth becomes obscured. This dynamic fosters dysfunction, as courts prioritize neutrality over safety, misjudging risks based on appearances rather than…
Family Court Is Not About Truth
In family court, truth is often overshadowed by narratives and perceptions, impacting outcomes more than factual evidence. Parents mistakenly believe honesty leads to justice, while judges prioritize stability, risk management, and procedural adherence.…
The Litigation Spiral: When Court Becomes Control
Abusive litigation in family courts extends conflict instead of resolving it, creating a "litigation spiral" that drains resources and undermines parental relationships. This cycle is marked by strategic delays and excessive filings, often benefiting the…
The 7 Patterns Every Family Court Case Eventually Falls Into
Family court often fails families entangled in contested custody or divorce cases, revealing systemic patterns of abuse, bias, and delays. Common issues include abusive litigation, credibility contests, alienation accusations, and enforcement failures.…
Why Family Court Reform Can’t Keep Reporters in the Room
Family court coverage suffers due to journalists facing intense hostility from both institutions and advocates, leading to attrition. Reporting challenges, such as sealed records and backlash, discourage continued coverage. Advocates' demands for…