When You Can’t Afford a Lawyer: D.C. Courts Open a New Path for Parents Navigating Alone
In Washington, D.C., a new court initiative aims to support self-represented parents facing legal challenges, particularly in custody and support disputes. While it addresses accessibility, deeper issues of structural fairness remain, highlighting…
Silence as Strategy
The article discusses how selective silence in family court is often overlooked as a form of control. It emphasizes that this non-response blocks communication and coordination, creating power imbalances. Courts tend to trivialize silence, failing to…
Maryland Father Indicted in International Parental Kidnapping Case
A Howard County man faces international parental kidnapping charges for removing his child from the U.S. in violation of custody rights under the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act. This case highlights the complexity of cross-border custody…
Texas, Parental Rights, and the Expanding Power of the State
A recent opinion piece highlights concerns over child welfare investigations in Texas, emphasizing the need to balance child protection with parental rights. The aggressive state actions can erode constitutional protections, particularly when acting on…
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…
Would HB 336 Have Stopped the Cycle?
Reichert v. Hornbeck highlights the detrimental effects of false accusations in custody disputes, emphasizing systemic failures within Maryland's criminal procedure. Each unsubstantiated allegation against Jeff Reichert led to repeated arrests without…
When the Court Redefines Marriage: What New Mexico’s Ruling Means for Families and Children
The recent decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court to overturn the state’s so-called “broken marriages” law marks a significant shift in how the legal system treats divorce—and, by extension, families and children caught in the middle. Supporters of the…
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…
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…
When the Judge Becomes the Stalker
Judge Bridget Robb of Nevada's Second Judicial District Court resigned amid stalking allegations, which were serious enough to warrant a temporary protection order. This case highlights systemic issues within the judiciary, where accountability is often…