March 17 eNews The AFCC eNEWS is the monthly e-newsletter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. The eNEWS provides up-to-date information for professionals including practice tips, international news, and the latest initiatives in family law and conflict resolution. Views expressed by contributors are their own and not necessarily those of AFCC or its leadership. The AFCC eNEWS is provided at no charge to you; anyone can subscribe. AFCC eNews
March 16 eNews Linda B. Fieldstone, MEd & Sue Bronson, MSW Top 10 Tips: Eldering Strategies to Bridge Across Generations The April 2026 Special Issue of the Family Court Review introduces “eldering” — acknowledging aging as an evolving relational role, recognizing interdependencies within the family system. These Top 10s reflect contributions from the authors in this special issue, as well as discussions with participants in our workshop* on skill building to reduce multigenerational conflict at the 2025 AFCC Annual Conference. In an interdisciplinary family-law context (judges, attorneys, practitioners, mediators, parenting and eldercaring coordinators) eldering means shifting to a family systems perspective, which enhances stability and builds resilience. We apply eldering best when we learn from each other’s professional lenses—legal clarity, clinical insight, resolution skills, and coordination strategies—so the family experiences one coherent, bridge-building approach. Listening to multigenerational voices with an eldering framework enhances AFCC’s mission to “improve the lives of children and families through the resolution of family conflict.” Continue Reading.
February 19 Other Jennifer E. Joseph, JD Minnesota in Crisis: Practice Tips from the Front Line Working with families who are in the process of restructuring, as we do, is hard work under the best of circumstances. I have had the dubious honor of trying to maintain my practice in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as our state, particularly the Twin Cities metro area, has experienced a surge of over 3000 federal agents in what is being described as “the largest immigration crackdown in [recent American] history.” Regardless of your politics and/or your feelings about the federal government’s handling of this situation, there are undeniable practical implications for providers. Here are a few things I have experienced since the crackdown began just over two months ago, along with some “pro tips” gleaned from some of my colleagues. Continue Reading.
January 20 President's Message Hon. Dolores A. Bomrad (Ret.), AFCC President January 2026 President’s Message Happy New Year! I wish each of you a healthy, happy, and fulfilling one. For just a moment, please bear with me as I indulge in a bit of bully pulpit preaching. For over thirty years, I had the blessing and curse of telling people what to do (after considering the evidence and analyzing the law), and it’s a hard habit to break. In these challenging and often angry times, I urge you to practice and model considerate behavior, patience, and compassionate kindness (especially while wearing your AFCC cap). Inevitably, at some time someone will act in a way that is less than kind toward each of us. When someone cuts in front of you in the grocery store, cuts you off on the road, or takes the parking space you were waiting for, please, instead of reacting with anger, act with kindness borne out of patience and understanding. Perhaps the transgressor is not fully present in the moment for any number of reasons; they just came from the funeral of a loved one, are rushing to get to the hospital to visit a sick child or they just learned that they have a serious illness. Remember that everyone may be facing unseen challenges. Give the benefit of a doubt that their behavior is based not on selfishness or deliberate rudeness, but on human frailty. Wish them well. By responding with empathy instead of anger, we can help make the world a better place. Continue Reading.
January 19 Ask the Experts Christy Bradshaw Schmidt, MA, LPC Beyond the Gut: Using Consultation to Ground Professional Judgment Working with court-involved families can be incredibly demanding, often leaving us feeling isolated as we race from appointment to appointment, trying to squeeze in time for progress notes and reports. In the midst of that whirlwind, we may long for connection with colleagues—not just for stress relief, but to gain valuable perspective and have a sounding board. Yet, all too often, that need slips down our list of priorities. So why is that connection with peers so essential? Continue Reading.