Unbundled legal representation is increasingly proposed as a solution to the access-to-justice gap in family court, where most litigants self-represent.…
Diagnosis as Evidence
In California family courts, a parent's psychiatric diagnosis can suffice as evidence of dangerousness for a domestic violence restraining order,…
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…
A Voice That Isn’t Theirs: How the Child’s Voice Project Gets It Wrong for the Parents Who Need Help Most
The Child's Voice Project (CVP) aims to provide representation for children in custody cases but may inadvertently empower biased narratives,…
The Access Gap AI Was Supposed to Close — And What It’s Opening Instead
A recent appellate court case highlighted issues with AI-generated citations in custody matters, revealing a trend where self-represented litigants submit…
When Protective Orders Hide Evidence, Families Pay the Price
In California, protective orders are increasingly misused, restricting parents’ access to evidence in criminal cases, thus affecting their ability to…
The Lost Legacy of Fatherhood
The essay by Michael R. Phillips explores the erosion of fatherhood's legacy over time, shifting from a symbol of strength…