31. Modern-Day Family Law Abolition: How the Elite Left the Poor at the Courthouse
Today’s family law system functions very differently depending on a family’s financial means. Wealthy families have access to the newest ADR innovations, while poor and working-class families get left in overwhelmed courtrooms. Panelists will examine how exclusion of poor and working-class families from ADR innovations harms children and their families. They will look squarely at how AFCC reflects these seismic divides and how it can help move beyond them, asking the audience to consider ways to bridge the current gaps as practitioners and as an organization.
Stacey E. Platt, JD, Loyola Univ. Chicago School of Law, Chicago, IL
Marsha Kline Pruett, PhD, ABPP, Smith College, Northampton, MA
Hon. Dolores Bomrad (Ret.), Family Matters Resolution Services, Hubertus, WI
32. Fearless and Forensic: Equipping Therapists for Court-Involved Work
This session equips therapists to navigate ethical, clinical, and legal complexities of court involved therapy. Learn to establish informed consent, collaborate as part of a therapeutic team, manage attorney interactions, and respond to records requests. Grounded in the AFCC Guidelines for Court-Involved Therapy, this presentation offers practical strategies for documentation, testimony, and working alongside parenting plan evaluators and parenting coordinators in a way that benefits the family system. Whether you are new to this work or refining your practice, gain tools to engage confidently, protect clinical integrity, and support families.
Christy Bradshaw Schmidt, MA, LPC, Coppell, TX
Victoria Harvey, PhD, Frisco, TX
Emily Dixon, PsyD, Southlake, TX
Christy Graham, LPC-S, RPT-S, Acorn Counseling Services, Denton, TX
33. Family Lawyer as Peacemaker: Cultural Fluency, Innovation, and Family Resilience
How can family law professionals truly meet families where they are? Presenters explore culturally responsive, peace-centered approaches to family conflict. Drawing from their forthcoming ABA book, this session blends practical tools, real-world case insights, and cross-disciplinary strategies for working with families across faiths, languages, and traditions. Participants will learn to integrate peacemaking habits, process design innovations, and cultural humility to support lasting, dignified outcomes.
Forrest S. Mosten, JD, La Jolla, CA
Lara Traum, JD, Forest Hills, NY
34. The “Bias” Problem… And How to Think About It
Bias is a big problem in child custody. Cognitive scientists instruct that biases are unconscious, inescapable, and no professional is immune. Understanding bias concepts is necessary and invaluable, but bias can also get exaggerated, overstated, and overplayed within the adversarial system. Disagreement can be confused with bias, assumptions, and heuristics about bias are rampant, and attorneys often demand admissions that others, even experts, acknowledge they are “biased.” Simply thinking about possible bias and becoming more aware supposedly does little to minimize their impact. But we have to think about biases, don’t we? This session addresses how to think about bias.
Milfred “Bud” Dale, PhD, JD, Topeka, KS
35. Eldering in Family Law: Interdependencies and Influences of Older Generations
As we age, care disputes are often just the tip of the iceberg. Active beneath the surface are interdependencies, as well as loyalties and rivalries, that shape decisions on care, money, and legacy. Drawing on insights, strategies, and case examples from the Family Court Review Special Issue on Eldering in Family Law, this workshop applies tools and strategies to case examples to help professionals uncover hidden dynamics, identify elder influences, reduce conflict, and elevate voices in ways that can benefit future generations.
Linda B. Fieldstone, MEd, Elder Justice Initiative on Eldercaring Coordination, Miami, FL
Sue Bronson, MSW, Elder Justice Initiative on Eldercaring Coordination, Milwaukee, WI
36. A Changing World Order: Impacts on Families and Family Law
In just the past several years, a changing world order has brought previously unimagined impacts to our society, community and families. This "think-tank" workshop will explore the impact of these intense changes and pressures on families and children. How have the shifts in financial, social and political landscapes impacted mental health and legal practices in addressing family conflict? What can mental health professionals and family legal systems do to mitigate these stressors and reduce damage to children?
Michael J. Kretzmer, JD, CFLS, El Segundo, CA
Hon. Mark A. Juhas, Superior Court of California, Los Angeles, CA
Jessica P. Greenwald O'Brien, PhD, Natick, MA
37. Co-Locating Social Work and Legal Representation: Opportunities and Pitfalls
This workshop will delve into the murky waters of co-locating mental health and social work care with legal representation. Presenters will review successful models as well as challenges. New York’s experience with Family Justice Centers, children’s advocacy centers and social service agencies with legal services will be highlighted. Participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences and discuss best practices.
Kristen Slesar, DSW, LCSW, MS, Bronx Child Trauma Support Program, New York, NY
Hon. Liberty Aldrich (Ret.), The Children’s Law Center, Brooklyn, NY
Deana Tietjen, JD, The Children’s Law Center, Brooklyn, NY
38. Promoting the Best Interests of the Child: Applying Family Systems in Mediation
The presenters propose new structures and approaches to the mediation process that consider family systems and make mediation more effective. Family systems approaches can be transformative for parents with complex family issues. Presenters consider explicit and implicit goals of AFCC’s 2025 Model Standards for Family and Divorce Mediation.
Simone A. Haberstock, JD, LLM, St Louis, MO
Lori Thibodeau, MA, LMFT, The Bridging Center, Bloomington, MN
39. Working with Clients with Mental Health Issues Involved in High-Conflict Divorce
When clients involved in high-conflict divorce do not have an adequate support system or appropriate coping skills, psychological distress and/or mental health issues may surface. How do court professionals handle referring clients for psychological evaluations and treatment, knowing that doing so may negatively impact the client in a custody case? This presentation will discuss the decision-making and referral processes for clients with mental health issues involved in high-conflict divorce. Emphasis will be given to legal and ethical dilemmas that may arise while navigating court proceedings.
Ruth Ouzts Moore, MEd, PhD, Chicago School of Professional Psychological, Savannah, GA
Omar Trautmann, PhD, Chicago School of Professional Psychological, Columbia, SC
40. Effective Family Justice Processes in an Era of Economic Crisis
The economic crisis engulfing much of the developed countries of the world has imperiled people’s ability to access the family justice system. This workshop will explore the contours of this dire situation and consider the inherent tension between the drive for speedier and less extensive processes against the need for a threshold minimum of process. Presenters will propose various solutions to the problem, including assistance for self-represented (pro se) litigants, harnessing technology, the use of guidelines, the employment of procedural rules of court, and the creative use of ADR models.
Hon. Kendra Coats, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Milton, ON, Canada
Hon. Marvin Kurz, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Milton, ON, Canada
Brian J. Burke, LLB, Toronto, ON, Canada
41. What Makes Parent Education Memorable? Instructional Design Criteria
The number and variety of co-parenting programs that courts and divorce professionals have approved for divorcing parents to fulfill court mandates is large and confusing. Although content is fairly uniform across approved programs, there is not a reliable or simple method for determining the memorability and usefulness of programs. Evaluating programs on the strength of their instructional design should be added to the approval process. Robert Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction and Merrill’s principles provide a structure for these evaluations. This workshop presents these principles and how they are applied, resulting in a metric by which programs can be compared.
Donald A. Gordon, PhD, Center for Divorce Education, Ashland, OR
Michael R. Eubanks, MEd, Center for Divorce Education, Athens, OH
42. Multi-Factor Approaches to PCCP: Tools and Interventions
This session presents the newly created Parent-Child Relationship Concerns (PCRC) checklist as a multi-factor framework for understanding parent-child contact problems. Presenters will highlight new research on the reliability and validity of the tool, discuss its role in structuring assessments, and explore tailoring interventions across the five factors of safety issues, child-related factors, parenting problems, parental alienating behaviors, and indicators of child trauma.
Michael A. Saini, PhD, MSW, RSW, Univ. of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Robin M. Deutsch, PhD, ABPP, Newton Centre, MA
Leslie M. Drozd, PhD, Seattle, WA
43. Examining Asymmetric Conflict: Unmasking Hidden Forces in Custody Cases
Not all “high-conflict” cases are symmetrical. Many involve asymmetric conflict, where one parent drives litigation and coercive escalation while the other responds defensively. Neutral interventions such as custody evaluations, mediation, and parenting coordination can unintentionally reinforce the aggressor’s strategies, creating oudeterogenic harm. This session introduces a framework and guiding questions to help professionals distinguish driving from reactive parents, recognize red flags, and anticipate when neutrality may enable harm. Using case examples, participants will gain tools to protect children, interrogate systemic dynamics, and adopt more discerning, child-centered strategies.
Fiona J. Darroch, MPsy, The Relationspace, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Hon. Bruce G. Smith, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Albert J. Huntoon, MSW, Coparenting Connection, Durham, NC
44. PC Cookie Jars: Special Recipes, Sizes, & Shapes for Parenting Coordination
Interventions with parents in conflict require a thoughtful blending of self-determination, accountability, thoughtfulness, cultural competency, efficiency, timeliness, familiarity, clarity, and at times, decisiveness. This presentation will focus on offering creative methods for (1) establishing parenting coordination appointments and agreements, and (2) assisting parents in expanding their ability to utilize the process to benefit their children. In this advanced workshop, we will discuss avoiding a cookie-cutter approach to issues such as disputes about parenting time, substance misuse, children’s mental health and other special needs, and providing safety for parents and children.
Christopher Vatsaas, JD, Tuft, Lach, Jerabek & O'Connell, PLLC, Plymouth, MN
Mindy F. Mitnick, EdM, MA, Uptown Mental Health Center, Minneapolis, MN
45. Social Media: Pros and Cons—Effect on Forensic Practitioners and Families They Serve
The majority of family law practitioners have been recipients of negative internet postings by dissatisfied and/or angry litigants. These may have been precipitated by the results of evaluations, treatment, or what they merely perceive as bias or mismanagement. This can lead to licensing board complaints, malpractice suits, or even more denigrating social media posts. This workshop will focus on the role of social media and its impact on mental health, its exacerbation of parental conflict, and the impact on family law professionals. Mitigation strategies will be discussed.
Sharon Montgomery, PsyD, Morristown, NJ
Marcy A. Pasternak, PhD, Watchung, NJ
46. The Money Brain Meets the Coparenting Train: Avoiding the Wreck
We’ve all witnessed it: a high-conflict separation, intense disputes over parenting plans, and looming custody litigation—two trains racing toward collision. Through the collaborative work of attorneys, mediators, and mental health professionals, crisis is averted and a parenting plan takes shape. A collective sigh of relief follows. But the journey isn’t over. The next stop—property and support negotiations—can quickly derail fragile co-parenting progress. This presentation traces the path from conflict to compromise, exploring how financial stress and perceptions of loss can reignite emotional battles. Presenters will map this terrain through the lenses of cognitive science, dispute resolution, and family law, examining how the brain reacts to threats around money and fairness. Attendees will gain practical tools to help clients manage fear, maintain focus, and stay on track toward lasting stability for both parents and children.
Matthew J. Sullivan, PhD, Santa Cruz, CA
Sherry Cassedy, JD, MA, Santa Cruz, CA
Mindy Penzias Dirks, PhD, Palo Alto, CA
47. Coercive Control & Domestic Abuse in Custody Disputes: Centering Children’s Needs
Research shows that domestic abuse harms children. How does this play out post-separation? Participants will learn about the complex dynamics of post-separation control and abuse and how to maintain the focus on the best interests of children while distinguishing manipulations from legitimate claims, including: abuser dynamics and tactics in court processes; how coercive control domestic abuse affects children; how to distinguish high-conflict divorce from litigation abuse; deficits of parents who abuse their (ex)partner; how to figure out what is really happening; and important terms: parental alienation, DARVO, gaslighting, provoke and record, spiteful disregard, and more.
Lisa A. Fontes, PhD, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
48. Community Quest: Navigating Differences that Make a Difference in Family Law
In Minnesota, a group of approximately 80 interdisciplinary family law practitioners undertook a project to build a stronger, more inclusive professional community. Using the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) as a framework, participants completed individual assessments and debriefs, as well as over 16 hours of continuing education. Program participants and their facilitator share how this developmental approach is helping us learn how to navigate differences that make a difference.
Jennifer E. Joseph, JD, Saint Paul, MN
Omkar Sawardekar, MSW, LICSW, Saint Paul, MN
Kathryn Lammers, JD, Minnetonka, MN
49. Mediating Family Disputes in the Context of Domestic Violence
Over the last decade, mediation of family disputes, including cases involving domestic violence, has gained traction. At this point, many courts in the United States require mediation before litigation can proceed. This presentation will discuss the benefits of mediation for victims of domestic violence, the protections that must be put in place to ensure the victims’ safety, and the tools and practices that mediators should follow to maximize success.
Valentina Shaknes, JD, New York, NY
Hon. Douglas E. Hoffman, New York, NY
Nicole Fidler, JD, Sanctuary for Families, New York, NY
50. Levels of Intervention: A Case and Client Management Approach
All family court cases are not created equal. Each case requires a customized plan that can be developed through a consistent management approach. In this session, the focus shall be on a Four Level Intervention assessment that can be utilized by courts in managing cases and by counsel in managing their clients, no matter the issues presented. The levels include information, triaging, interventions, and management.
Hon. Bruce R. Cohen (Ret.), High Conflict Institute, Scottsdale, AZ
Bill Eddy, MSW, JD, High Conflict Institute, San Diego, CA
Alicia K. Davis, JD, National Center for State Courts, Chicago, IL
51. Thinking Outside the Box: Neurodivergent Families in the Legal System
Focus on autism, ADHD, neurodivergence, and other learning disabilities is growing rapidly in the family law courts. Attendees will learn from two neurodivergent attorneys about the biologic underpinnings of these amazing brains and the difference between stereotypes and lived reality. Practitioners will learn about the unique needs of families experiencing neurodivergent dynamics, red flags, and best practices for drafting parenting plans and helping the family transition to successful co-parenting.
Meggin E. Rutherford, JD, Denver, CO
Nicola A. Winters, JD, Denver, CO
52. The Appropriate and Ethical Use of AI in Judicial Work
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in professional life, judicial officers will face complex questions about its appropriate and ethical use. This workshop will explore when and how AI may be integrated into judicial work, broadly defined to include all aspects of adjudicative functions and the administrative responsibilities of managing judicial chambers.
Hon. William Alstergren, LLM, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Hon. Robert McClelland, AO, LLB, LLM, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Hon. Tom Altobelli, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
53. When Safety Hurts: Understanding and Lessening Harms of Child Removal
Removing children from their parents or transferring custody from a primary caregiver is intended to protect the child from harm but also carries risk of trauma. Whether in a child welfare proceeding, a guardianship matter, or in the context of parent-child contact problems (PCCP), when children are taken from their primary caregivers, they experience acute losses with potential long-term costs. This presentation will review research on the consequences of removal, best practices for minimizing harm when a court orders removal/change of custody, and strategies for evaluating and communicating these risks to the court.
Jessica P. Greenwald O'Brien, PhD, Natick, MA
Alicia Doherty, JD, Worcester Probate & Family Court, Worcester, MA
Lynn M. Castrianno, PhD, MLS, Akin, Seattle, WA
Hon. Liberty Aldrich (Ret.), The Children’s Law Center, Brooklyn, NY
54. Is Your Co-Parent Spying on You Through Your Child’s Cell Phone?
Technology is changing the way children and parents interact and how custody disputes unfold. From cell phones and GPS tracking to parental monitoring apps and social media, these tools can support children’s safety but also fuel mistrust, surveillance, and litigation. This interactive workshop explores the hidden role of technology in co-parenting conflict, with case examples, developmental insights, and sample parenting plan clauses for reducing disputes. Attendees will gain tools for addressing technology-related custody issues and promoting healthier co-parenting.
David K. Wilkinson, JD, San Diego, CA
Lori A. Love, PhD, San Diego, CA
Premela Deck, JD, PhD, SD Family Services, Inc., Canton, MA
Hon. Jennifer Bingham, Probate and Family Court, Canton, MA
55. Family Matters: Helping Families with Young Children (0–5) Navigate Family Court
This workshop illustrates a framework that supports families with young children (0–5 years) navigating family court. Practical tools will be offered to identify risk and protective factors preventing cascading stressors unique to this population. Presenters consider trauma-informed care for court involved families via case examples and prevention/early-intervention strategies. Legal professionals, parenting coordinators, and mental health professionals will benefit from a relational framework to enhance or create policy and practice that helps overcoming cyclical patterns of toxic relational stress and fosters secure attachment.
Jane A. Gillespie, MSW, Calgary, AB, Canada
Alan McLuckie, PhD, Univ. of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
56. Consistency Between Homes: Structuring Screentime to Maintain Children's Routines
Parents in separated families frequently report challenges with inconsistent screen time rules, leading to conflict and concerns about children's digital well-being. This workshop will look at the psychological and legal considerations and approaches to screen time. Attendees will acquire practical strategies for negotiating and drafting effective parenting arrangements to establish consistent digital boundaries. The session will cover setting age-appropriate limits, monitoring online activity, and fostering essential co-parent communication to promote children's digital wellness.
Sean B. Knuth, PhD, Charlotte, NC
Coralee Elsum, JD, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
57. Custody in Motion: A Parenting Time Simulation
This interactive session invites evaluators, mediators, and other family law professionals to engage in a dynamic simulation of a parenting time schedule from the perspective of children and caregivers navigating separation or divorce. Participants will "live" a simulated week of a parenting time schedule, moving through activities and transitions that mirror the real-life rhythm of shared custody. The experience is designed to prompt reflection on the emotional, logistical, and developmental impact of the various scheduling models. Following the simulation, presenters will share the challenges observed and the implications for crafting parenting plans that prioritize the child's well-being. This session offers a unique opportunity to step beyond theory and date, immersing professionals in the lived experience of the families they serve.
Anna Street, JD, Tuft, Lach, Jerabek & O'Connell, PLCC, Maplewood, MN
Jennifer L. McBride McNamara, MA, LMFT, Touching Trees, Eagan, MN
David C. Gapen, JD, Minneapolis, MN
58. Balancing Rights and Children’s Interests in Family Cases with Criminal Charges
When criminal behavior or investigations overlap with family court proceedings, professionals must navigate complex ethical and procedural challenges. This workshop explores how charges stemming from intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect allegations, or other crimes affect custody and parenting determinations. Presenters will discuss constitutional protections, professional roles, and strategies for balancing child safety and contact with due process. Attendees will come away with tools they can use immediately in cases where criminal and family court processes collide, especially when children’s safety and parental rights are both at stake.
Dawn R. Smith, JD, Evolve Family Law, LLC, Atlanta, GA
Daniel Bloom, JD, Atlanta, GA
Kristin J. Carothers, PhD, Atlanta, GA
59. Children of High-Conflict Divorce: A Child's Inner World
This workshop addresses the short- and long-term effects of high conflict separation and divorce on children, using the film Millie to illustrate critical family dynamics. The film explores Millie’s internal psychological world and portrays circumstances that those around their children aren’t even aware of. Her experiences involve dealing with her loved parents and understanding how she navigates her parent’s separation. The film portrays how parental behavior, whether or not intentional, affects children and their psychological well-being.
Philip M. Stahl, PhD, ABPP, Marina del Rey, CA
Darren A. Mort, LLB, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
60. The Hidden Risk: Doxing, Data Brokers, and Personal Safety in Family Law
60. The Hidden Risk: Doxing, Data Brokers, and Personal Safety in Family Law In an era where personal information is easily accessible and weaponized, professionals in family law and mental health must understand the real dangers of digital exposure. Explore how online data can be used to intimidate, harass, or endanger individuals involved in family conflict. Participants will learn how doxing occurs, how data brokers collect and sell personal details, and what steps can be taken to reduce digital risks. This session offers practical strategies to help your clients and your practice enhance personal security and safeguard sensitive information in an increasingly connected world.
Steven Bradley, MBA, OurFamilyWizard, Pottsboro, TX
Morgan L. Stogsdill, JD, Beermann LLP, Chicago, IL