Category: family court reform
-
New Florida Bill Seeks to Protect Medical Marijuana Patients’ Parental Rights
A new bill in Florida seeks to prevent family courts from restricting custody or visitation rights solely due to a parent’s legal medical marijuana use. It aims to ensure fair treatment for medical marijuana patients in custody disputes, aligning family law with state marijuana regulations while addressing safety concerns raised by critics.
-
Broward Courts Launch Family Court Services Pilot to Improve Accountability and Child-Focused Outcomes
Broward County’s court system has launched a Family Court Services Pilot Program aimed at improving accountability and protecting children in family law cases. This initiative connects families with vetted services, ensures compliance with court orders, and establishes clear roles for staff. The program seeks to reduce conflict and prevent repeat litigation, promoting more effective family…
-
False Paternity, Real Consequences: Georgia Case Highlights a Blind Spot in Child Support Trust
A Georgia case highlights concerns in family law regarding trust and child support enforcement. An 18-year-old, Brya Hardy, allegedly deceived her ex-boyfriend into paying $7,000 in child support for a child that wasn’t his. This incident raises questions about verification processes and the potential for exploitation in informal child support claims.
-
Florida Supreme Court’s DIY Insemination Ruling Exposes a Legal Gap — and Puts Families on Notice
The Florida Supreme Court ruled that the state’s “donor relinquishment” law does not apply to at-home insemination, allowing sperm donor Angel Rivera to pursue fatherhood claims through general paternity law. This highlights legal uncertainties around DIY insemination, urging legislators to clarify laws regarding parental rights and agreements for informal arrangements.
-
Unsealed Court Filings Reveal Family Court Turmoil After Anna Kepner’s Death at Sea
Newly unsealed family court records reveal the private turmoil that followed the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard a cruise ship, highlighting how custody disputes, media pressure, and an active FBI homicide investigation collided—raising serious questions about due process, child protection, and the limits of family courts when tragedy strikes.
-
A Father Steps Forward: Georgia Custody Case Exposes Gaps in Unmarried Parents’ Rights
A Georgia family court ruling granted Adrian Harden full custody of his son Chance after the death of the boy’s mother, revealing gaps in state law that hinder parental rights for unmarried fathers. Advocates are calling for “Chance’s Law” to reform these outdated legal barriers and prevent unnecessary government intervention in such cases.
-
Florida Lawmakers Revisit Grandparent Visitation — A Narrow Proposal Raises Big Questions About Family, Courts, and Child Welfare
As Florida approaches the 2026 legislative session, SB 674 seeks to expand grandparents’ rights to petition for visitation under specific tragic circumstances while prioritizing parental rights. The bill aims to ensure children’s emotional stability amidst loss but raises concerns about subjective interpretations in family court. Public attention to this legislation is critical.
-
Florida Family Courts Under Scrutiny: When Custody Failures Turn Deadly
Florida’s family courts are facing renewed scrutiny after a series of deadly custody-related domestic violence cases in Broward County. An investigative report highlights how warning signs were missed, enforcement failed, and reforms like Greyson’s Law remain uneven—raising urgent questions about how courts can better protect children and parents while preserving due process and fairness.
Florida Bay News 