The Chatbot in the Courtroom: What AI Means for the Parent Representing Themselves
Family courts often see a high rate of self-representation, with many turning to AI tools like ChatGPT for legal advice. While AI offers accessible help, it also poses risks, such as providing incorrect information or compromising legal privilege.…
The Lawyer Nobody Fully Hires
Unbundled legal representation is increasingly proposed as a solution to the access-to-justice gap in family court, where most litigants self-represent. However, it often fails to address the complexities of contested cases. While it can be beneficial…
No One Is Watching: How Montgomery County’s Family Court Operates Without External Oversight, and What Happens to the People Who Notice
An investigation reveals a significant accountability gap in Maryland's family court system, where civil rights complaints against judges lack external oversight and transparency. Complaints filed are often sealed and unreported, leading to systemic…
AI as Accommodation in the Courtroom: Why Self-Represented Litigants Need Support, Not Suspicion
The article highlights the challenges faced by self-represented litigants in family and civil courts, where the legal system assumes knowledge of complex processes. It argues that AI tools can enhance accessibility and support, allowing these individuals…
What Happens When a Parent Follows the Court Order — and the Court Refuses to Enforce It?
Family courts promise to protect children's relationships with both parents, yet enforcement often fails, leading to significant family disruptions. Many compliant parents face ignored motions and lack of communication enforcement, fostering unilateral…
When Access Exists on Paper but Not in Practice
The article discusses how modern court systems create invisible barriers to access and due process, particularly affecting parents and self-represented litigants. Despite digital access promises, structural invisibility and complicated systems hinder…
The Most Dangerous Court in America Is the One No One Teaches You How to Survive
Family court in America allows significant losses for parents—children, homes, and finances—without criminal accusations or safeguards. Parents often enter naively, expecting fairness, only to encounter a biased system. Both represented and…