Four Maryland cases reveal a troubling pattern: the state moves quickly to remove children from parents but far more slowly…
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…
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…
Federal foster care watchdog quietly rewrote the rules — then sent Maryland a smaller bill
A November 2025 letter from the Children's Bureau reversed a national foster care reimbursement policy, reducing Maryland’s disallowance by $16.…
Follow the money: how $1 billion in federal bonuses built an incentive to separate families
Since 1997, the federal government has allocated over $1 billion in adoption bonuses to states, with additional funding of $52…
When “Family Preservation” Becomes State Neglect
In Washington State, reforms intended to keep families intact may inadvertently leave vulnerable children at risk and offer less protection…
New Mexico Ends a Practice That Should Never Have Been Normal
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has banned children in state custody from sleeping overnight in government offices, addressing a…
When the Court Helps Families Heal: Why West Virginia’s Family Treatment Courts Matter
West Virginia's Family Treatment Court program, crucial for helping parents with substance use disorders reunite with their children, faces funding…
Oregon Lawmaker Reintroduces Foster Youth Rights Bill After Gov. Kotek’s Veto
Oregon has reintroduced a foster youth “bill of rights” aimed at establishing standards for children in foster care, after a…
Father & Co. Is Launching the 2025 Family Court Experience Survey
Father & Co. is conducting an anonymous survey to gather firsthand experiences related to family courts and child custody in…