The Ledger Nobody Kept: What COVID-Era Guidance Did to Custody
The pandemic's impact on custody and family courts has been significant yet largely unquantified, as seen in the backlog of cases and the misuse of COVID-19 as a pretext in custody disputes. This situation was exacerbated by inconsistent court operations…
The Missing Variable
Father absence significantly predicts juvenile crime in America, with evidence showing boys from fatherless homes are disproportionately involved in delinquency and violence. Despite the clear link demonstrated by decades of research, structural issues,…
The Second Access Tax: How Family Court Privatized the Cost of Parenting
The article examines the concept of the "Access Tax" in American family court systems, highlighting how financial burdens are disproportionately placed on parents, particularly during custody disputes. Costs escalate due to systemic incentives benefiting…
Same States, Two Standards: The Custody Enforcement Gap Guardianship Reform Exposed
The article compares how different states address custody enforcement for children when a parent faces immigration-related detainment or deportation. Some states, like D.C. and California, allow immediate guardianship without judicial oversight, while…
What to the Parent Is the Fourth of July?
On America's 250th birthday, Michael Phillips critiques the family court system, arguing it fails to protect parental rights, a fundamental liberty. He highlights discrepancies in legal protections between parents and individuals in criminal cases,…
Marriage Equality Matters. So Does Family Court Equality.
Michael Phillips reflects on the Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which established marriage rights for all but highlights the shortcomings of family courts. These courts lack procedural safeguards, leading to disproportionate consequences…
Child Welfare Selective Service
The article critiques politicians' lack of urgency in addressing family court issues that result in children being separated from fit parents while they express concern over immigration-related separations. It highlights the systemic dysfunction in…
What You’re Missing This Father’s Day
In a heartfelt letter, Michael Phillips expresses his pain over being denied contact with his son, Dylan, due to ongoing parental conflicts with his mother, Christina Avgerinos. Despite a court order granting visitation on Father's Day and throughout the…
Still Here: The Intake Form
In April 2026, a father discovers his son Dylan has been in therapy for a year without his knowledge. Following the separation from Dylan's mother, he gained access to the therapy process, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement in mental…
Fighting Through It
The article discusses the consequences of dismissing a father's illness within legal proceedings, as exemplified by the author's experience with pneumonia and a high-conflict separation. Despite medical documentation, his former partner accused him of…