I think to put some perspective on this. Up until around 2000, based upon statistics provided by the CT Judicial Branch, each year there were approximately 30 or so high conflict custody cases.
Around 2000-2001 the Governor's Commission on Custody, Divorce, and Children was established and went around the State holding hearings in regard to custody and financial issues in CT's family courts. The Commission consisted of some of the currently most notorious names in the corrupt CT family court system.
After the Commission had completed its mission and published its report, high conflict custody cases steadily rose to the numbers we have today which are at approximately 3,600 or so each year.
I would suggest that family court conflict, at least in the State of CT--I can't speak for elsewhere--is a family court industry generated problem.
As always, there is a solid group that simply works out its differences with or without support as you mention. But the remainder, and the stats back this up, are victims of a family court professionals' scheme to defraud and exploit vulnerable family court litigants who rely upon them for support and guidance.
These family court professionals deliberately generate conflict and legal difficulties for money. It is as simple as that.
The mental health professionals, of course, are trained at manipulation and psychological torture, and so they are particularly at fault here, which is why they are often called "Whores of the Court". But blaming the victims here, by calling them litigious or saying they just don't know how to resolve problems by negotiating in a reasonable way, is uncalled for when it comes to family court. In my case, for instance, attorneys never let my ex and I stay in the same room because they knew that we'd resolve matters quickly if we did.
The family court professionals who are involved in this scheme are highly trained, very intelligent, well connected individuals who have translated their exploitative schemes into a fine art that few are capable of even beginning to understand or resist.
Money, money, money!
ReplyDeleteFamily courts drive mothers into bankruptcy and eventually take their children. Happens in CT and across the country, but not publicized as the corrupt mainstream media are gutless when it comes to criticizing government. It's a disgrace. See rare media coverage here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3736482/Kelly-Rutherford-coughs-15k-regain-rights-Gossip-Girl-residual-paychecks-lost-bankruptcy-losing-seven-year-kids-custody-battle.html
ReplyDeleteDear Catharine
ReplyDeleteThanks for this piece which I referenced in a post on Divorce Saloon. I do believe that in some cases, this could be true based on what I witnessed a few years ago in Brooklyn?
I served on this commission, and also gave a keynote at Quinnipiac School of Law to many of the family judges and social service staff. I really gave it to 'em then. They didn't understand PAS; they didn't understand the role of poisonous litigation; they didn't care that family law courts are an anathema to resolving child custody. Well, years later, I've written a helpful book now carried by all Barnes and Noble Stores, Preserving Family Ties, An Authorized Guide to Understanding Divorce and Child Custody (WestBow Press, 2018). The text examines the social research of child outcomes when parents separate.
ReplyDeleteWe have much more work to do! Together!