Maryland custody law Archives

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When Parental Alienation Becomes Child Abuse, and No One Can Cite It

June 13, 2026June 13, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Appellate Court of Maryland issued an unreported opinion in Reichert v. Hornbeck, determining critical family law questions about mental abuse and custody. Despite extensive findings against Jeff Reichert’s parenting, the opinion’s unreported status limits its legal precedent, affecting future family law cases significantly regarding parental conduct and child custody evaluations.

Conover v. Conover (2016): How Maryland Courts Redefined Parenthood at the Expense of Parents

August 19, 2025August 18, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

In 2016, Maryland’s Conover v. Conover recognized “de facto parents,” posing a threat to biological parents’ rights by allowing non-parents equal standing in custody disputes without proving parental unfitness. This conflicted with the Supreme Court’s Troxel ruling, which prioritized parental autonomy, creating legal uncertainties and increasing litigation in family courts.

Maryland’s Parent-Erasure Pattern: Dangerous Crossroads in Custody Law

August 11, 2025August 11, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Reichert v. Hornbeck ruling in Anne Arundel County exemplifies a troubling trend in Maryland law, where de facto parentage may undermine fit biological parents’ rights. Judge Morris granted standing to John H. Michel without justification, risking judicial overreach. The General Assembly must intervene to protect fundamental parental rights and clarify legal standards.