Arizona Rewrites Its Domestic Violence Custody Standard: What the Alec and Lydia Act Actually Changes
Arizona’s Alec and Lydia Act removes the old “significant domestic violence” threshold and replaces it with a broader, more structured custody standard. Here’s what HB2995 actually changes — and what remains unresolved.
Diagnosis as Evidence
In California family courts, a parent's psychiatric diagnosis can suffice as evidence of dangerousness for a domestic violence restraining order, even without corroboration. The law's low evidentiary standard allows subjective claims to influence serious…
Prepare Yourself to Speak
In Virginia's courtrooms, unaccompanied children often represent themselves due to a lack of legal counsel, especially highlighted after a federal contract lapsed, increasing their vulnerability in immigration and family courts. Both systems inadequately…
The Alienation Shortcut
When abuse records and alienation claims collide, courts have to decide what evidence matters. New laws are trying to force judges to review the record — but almost nobody reviews the judges.
The Warrant Nobody Checked
A forged custody order almost led to a child being taken from Maryland. St. Mary's County deputies recognized irregularities in the document and called the issuing court, discovering that it was fake. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in interstate…
The Child Gets a Microphone. Who Controls the Room?
New Jersey's revised custody statute, under Kayden's Law, emphasizes children's expressed preferences in custody arrangements and mandates judicial documentation when such preferences are overlooked. However, it does not guarantee that children will be…
The Squeeze: When Two Broken Systems Land on the Same Parent
A recent federal memo rescinded restrictions on states disqualifying SNAP benefits for noncooperation with child support, potentially affecting struggling parents caught in enforcement gaps. This policy shift underscores systemic issues where child…
The System Has a Business Model. These Books Prove It.
The post presents a reading list for parents seeking to understand the family court system's mechanics and how it impacts children. It highlights several books that explore themes of corruption, profit-driven practices, and systemic failures within…
Disability Pride Month Ends At The Courthouse Door
In July, politicians will commemorate the ADA's anniversary, yet it doesn't protect disabled parents in family courts, where their rights often face termination due to disability. Recent studies reveal that 42 states maintain statutes allowing parental…
The System’s Two Speeds: Maryland Moves Fast to Take Custody, Slow to Answer for It
Four Maryland cases reveal a troubling pattern: the state moves quickly to remove children from parents but far more slowly when government agencies or courts are held accountable.