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4 - Cases / Anne Arundel County / Maryland / Maryland Watch / The Reichert Files / The Shadow Docket of Reichert v. Hornbeck / Uncategorized

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

- 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.

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3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / Brenna Gano Case / California / California Watch / Child Custody / Child Custody / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Family Court / Family Court Reform / The California Custody Cartel

The Judge Who Wasn’t Ready

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Judge Vivian Wang, recently appointed with no family law experience, denied motions in a complex custody case involving alleged fraud and disability accommodations. Critics argue her procedural ruling lacked thorough legal analysis, particularly regarding limitations and equitable tolling. The upcoming trial may test her judicial capabilities and the fairness of the process.

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4 - Cases / Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / Court Corruption / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Federal Court / Institutions / Legal Reform / Maryland / Maryland Watch / The Reichert Files

Two Courts, Two Answers: How a Federal Accommodation Order Exposed the Anne Arundel Circuit Court’s ADA Defiance

- by Michael Phillips - 1 Comment

In January 2026, a federal magistrate granted Jeffrey Reichert remote ADA accommodations for pretrial hearings, while the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court repeatedly denied his requests, even barring him from future filings. This stark contrast raises questions about court compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and retaliation against disabled litigants.

Two Courts, Two Answers: How a Federal Accommodation Order Exposed the Anne Arundel Circuit Court’s ADA Defiance Read More
3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Brenna Gano Case / California / California Watch / Family Court / Family Court Reform / The California Custody Cartel

Court Denies Brenna Gano’s Motions — But Sets the Stage for Trial

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

A San Mateo judge rejected attempts by Brenna Gano to overturn a 2022 settlement, citing statute of limitations concerns. Gano argued she was coerced into the agreement without proper accommodations for her disabilities. While the denials were procedural, a full-day trial is set for December 28, 2026, where core issues will be examined.

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2 - Analysis / 3 - Investigations / Child Custody / Child Custody / Child Welfare / Domestic Policy / Domestic Violence / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government / Institutions / Institutions & Accountability / Justice & Governance

The Same Tools

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The article examines how tactics for controlling partners in marriage are mirrored in family court environments, highlighting systemic failures to recognize and address coercive control. Through multiple cases, it illustrates how these controlling behaviors persist in legal proceedings, resulting in devastating outcomes for parents and children, often exacerbated by institutional biases and inadequate judicial training.

The Same Tools Read More
2 - Analysis / Business / Child Custody / Child Custody / Child Support / Child Support / Economy & Policy / Family Court / Government / Government / National Policy / Policy / Politics / Travel

The Federal Government Will Ground You for Unpaid Child Support. It Has No Answer for Stolen Parenting Time.

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Trump administration has activated a policy allowing passport revocation for parents owing over $2,500 in child support, impacting both responsible and negligent parents alike. This enforcement does not account for circumstances like ongoing custody battles, potentially harming parents who are fighting for access to their children rather than abandoning them.

The Federal Government Will Ground You for Unpaid Child Support. It Has No Answer for Stolen Parenting Time. Read More
2 - Analysis / 3 - Investigations / Circuit Court / Civil Court / Civil Rights / Civil Rights / Court Corruption / Court Reform / Domestic Policy / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government / Institutions / Institutions & Accountability / Justice & Governance / Maryland / Maryland Watch

No One Is Watching: How Montgomery County’s Family Court Operates Without External Oversight, and What Happens to the People Who Notice

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

An investigation reveals a significant accountability gap in Maryland’s family court system, where civil rights complaints against judges lack external oversight and transparency. Complaints filed are often sealed and unreported, leading to systemic noncompliance without recourse for litigants. This raises critical issues about judicial accountability and the structures that enable potential misconduct.

No One Is Watching: How Montgomery County’s Family Court Operates Without External Oversight, and What Happens to the People Who Notice Read More
3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Brenna Gano Case / California / California Watch / Child Custody / Child Custody / Family Court / Government / RICO/Racketeering / The California Custody Cartel

The San Mateo Syndicate

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

A document-driven investigation reveals how a tightly connected network of lawyers, therapists, and a private judge operated inside a single custody case—coordinating decisions, shaping evidence, and extracting more than $350,000 while independent advocacy became nearly impossible.

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3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Child Abuse / Child Custody / Child Custody / Child Welfare / Court Corruption / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government Corruption / Institutions / Legal Reform / New York / New York Watch / The Fishman Files

They’re Adults Now. He Still Can’t Call Them.

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Marc Fishman’s children are no longer caught in a custody battle — they’re adults. And yet the silence remains. His case exposes a reality rarely discussed: when parental alienation succeeds, it doesn’t end. It becomes permanent.

They’re Adults Now. He Still Can’t Call Them. Read More
3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Brenna Gano Case / California / California Watch / Child Custody / Court Corruption / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Institutions / The California Custody Cartel

The ‘Mom Yells’ Playbook

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

A two-word claim — “mom yells” — became the foundation for a seven-year custody battle that ended in total estrangement. This investigation traces how a narrative, once introduced into the family court system, can be repeated, reinforced, and ultimately weaponized until it replaces documented reality.

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