A forged custody order almost led to a child being taken from Maryland. St. Mary's County deputies recognized irregularities in…
The Wall Nobody Sees: How “Quasi-Judicial Immunity” Shields Family Court Officials Nationwide
Annelise Rice's civil rights lawsuit against various professionals involved in her custody case was dismissed due to quasi-judicial immunity. The…
The Order Nobody Signs For: How Protective-Order Extensions Can Outrun Service
Temporary protective orders serve as a critical bridge between emergency situations and formal hearings, relying heavily on the effective service…
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,…
No Transcript, No Appeal, No Accountability: How the Court Reporter Crisis Is Erasing Family Court Records
Millions of family court hearings are being conducted without reliable transcripts, leaving parents unable to challenge judicial errors on appeal.…
The Closed Loop: How AFCC Captured Maryland’s Family Courts
Michael Phillips highlights a persistent issue in Maryland's family court system, where court-ordered communication through platforms like OurFamilyWizard fails due…
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…
A Paper Doesn’t Stop a Bullet. A False Accusation Helps Pull the Trigger.
Three Maryland cases reveal the same systemic failure: protective orders that identify danger but cannot stop it. At the same…
Today Is Parental Alienation Awareness Day. My Son Is 7. I Haven’t Had Parenting Time Since He Was 4.
On Parental Alienation Awareness Day, Michael Phillips emphasizes the disconnect between awareness and effective enforcement in family courts. He shares…
What Is Abuse of Process?
In high-conflict custody battles, the legal concept of abuse of process arises when individuals misuse legal procedures to intimidate or…