Overview When your co-parent files a motion claiming you’re using drugs—but it’s completely untrue—your world can feel like it’s crashing down. False drug accusations in custody cases are not just personally devastating; they threaten your relationship with your children and your reputation. Many parents facing these false allegations feel helpless and overwhelmed, unsure of how to defend themselves against claims…
Critical Balance Between and Child Safety When a parent requests drug testing in a custody case, courts face a delicate balancing act. They must weigh the accused parent’s privacy rights against the paramount concern for child welfare. Understanding how courts evaluate the credibility of evidence presented in a drug testing motion can help both parents and attorneys navigate this complex…
Common Mistakes Parents Make During Child Custody Evaluations Navigating a child custody evaluation can feel like walking through a minefield. One wrong step, and your chances of securing favorable custody arrangements might explode in your face. What makes these evaluations particularly challenging is that most parents have never experienced one before—yet the outcome could dramatically impact your relationship with your…
Can I Get A Move-Away Order In California? When we talk about family, we know that sometimes the hardest decisions come from a place of deep love and concern. Relocating with your child after a divorce or custody agreement ranks among the most challenging journeys a parent can face. I recently encountered a story on AVVO that touched my heart…
Covert Narcissism: Evidence Challenges in Child Custody Parents face numerous evidence challenges in custody cases with covert narcissists. Unlike cases with obvious abuse, the harmful patterns of covert narcissists are subtle and carefully disguised. These behaviors often occur behind closed doors without witnesses. As a result, gathering compelling, court-admissible evidence becomes extremely difficult. This article—the second in our three-part series—explores…
Covert Narcissism in Child Custody Battles: How it Operates Child custody battles create challenges under the best circumstances. When one parent shows traits of covert narcissism, the playing field becomes drastically uneven. Covert narcissists differ from their grandiose counterparts. They operate beneath a carefully crafted facade of reasonableness. This makes their manipulative behaviors hard to identify in family court. This…
Child Support in 50/50 Custody Arrangements Many parents discover with surprise that 50/50 custody arrangements still require child support payments. This realization often shocks the parent who must make these payments despite sharing equal parenting time with their former partner. The confusion makes sense. After all, if both parents have the child for exactly the same amount of time, shouldn’t…
How to Successfully Navigate Child Custody Mediation Are you preparing for child custody mediation and feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. The child custody mediation process can feel like walking through a minefield, where one wrong step might damage your case. As an experienced family law professional, I’ve watched parents unknowingly sabotage their own custody arrangements by making common but critical…
Essential Documents Needed for Child Custody Cases Understanding the documents needed for child custody cases can feel overwhelming at first. When facing a child custody case, having the right documentation can significantly impact the court’s decision about your child’s future. The court’s primary consideration is always the child’s best interests, and proper documentation helps demonstrate how those interests will be…
Can Mediation Be Effective in High-Conflict Divorce Angela’s story resonated with many because it revealed a painful truth about mediation in high-conflict divorces. Although often praised as a peaceful and cost-effective way to resolve divorce disputes, it can become a dangerous trap when one partner is a narcissist. While mediation can be effective for many couples, it is not a…