Minnesota Family Law Reform

10/06/2026

Should higher earners keep more of their income after divorce?

In Texas, strict limits on court-ordered spousal maintenance can allow earners to retain more of their future income. This does not mean they keep all marital assets, and these Texas rules do not apply nationwide.

Should other states adopt similar limits, or should spouses who sacrificed careers to raise children receive greater financial protection?

"The laws are changing, the earners are going to get to keep their money," divorce attorney, Jacqueline Harounian, told Newsweek.

09/24/2026

Gabriel Fernandez was eight years old when he died after months of abuse. California has now signed Gabriel’s Law in his name.

The law requires social workers to ensure children in temporary custody receive emergency medical care when they appear to need it. It also clarifies accountability when official records are knowingly falsified or manipulated.

Gabriel deserved protection while he was alive. Every child deserves a system that responds to signs of harm, provides timely care, and keeps accurate records.

"Gabriel's Law," named after 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez who was killed by his mother and her boyfriend back in 2013, has been signed into law by Gov. Newsom. Read more ⬇️

09/17/2026

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗜 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗢!

Dani Thao is a Minnesota Family Law Reform (MNFLR) Champion and counseling psychology professional bringing a mental health and family systems perspective to meaningful family court reform. Her professional background includes clinical work with individuals, couples, and families, with experience in trauma-informed care, attachment, family systems, substance and chemical dependency, and culturally responsive mental health support.

Dani brings a unique understanding of how trauma, relationships, and family dynamics can impact children and families navigating complex circumstances. Through MNFLR, she helps bridge mental health expertise with family court reform, advancing trauma-informed, evidence-based, and child-centered approaches that promote safety, stability, stronger family relationships, and better outcomes for children and families across Minnesota.

Read more about Dani Thao here: https://www.mnfamilylawreform.org/danithao

06/21/2026

Today, we recognize the fathers who continue to show up, love deeply, and never give up on their children despite separation.

To every father MNFLR stands shoulder to shoulder with, you are seen, you are valued, and your relationship with your child matters.

Happy Father’s Day from Minnesota Family Law Reform. Together, we keep fighting for children to have the love of both parents.

06/06/2026

The “Best Interests of the Child” standard is not unique to Minnesota or the United States. It is the dominant custody standard used throughout much of the world and is rooted in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Countries across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and much of Latin America use a best-interests framework when making decisions involving children. While each country applies the standard differently, the common principle is that a child’s safety, well-being, stability, and healthy development should be the primary consideration in decisions that affect them.

Minnesota Family Law Reform supports the Best Interests of the Child standard. Children deserve decisions that prioritize safety, stability, healthy development, emotional well-being, and meaningful relationships.

The challenge is not whether the standard exists, it is whether it is applied consistently, transparently, and based on measurable evidence.

Minnesota’s best-interests law exists, but inconsistent implementation can leave children and families in legal limbo. We support reforms that strengthen accountability, require measurable findings, improve safety screening, and promote timely decisions so child-centered outcomes are consistent, transparent, and evidence-based statewide.

Children deserve decisions that are timely, transparent, data driven, and truly in their best interests.

06/06/2026

05/23/2026

Every year, children are wrongfully removed from or retained outside the U.S. in violation of parental rights. International parental kidnappings (IPK) of U.S. children have been reported in countries all over the world.

Ahead of National Missing Children's Day on May 25, 2026, learn more about the FBI's roles in IPK cases in this Q&A with FBI Special Agent Ingrid Arbuthnot-Stohl of FBI - Seattle—including how to report suspected IPK and how to keep your kids safe.

🔗fbi.gov/news/stories/raising-awareness-international-parental-kidnapping

05/20/2026

Two siblings in Utah, Ty and Brynlee Larson, reportedly locked themselves inside an upstairs bedroom for 54 days during a highly publicized custody and reunification dispute now featured in Hulu’s The Nightmare Upstairs.

“When we talk about parental alienation in the context of custody battles, it’s often the case that allegations of parental alienation are leveled in response to allegations of abuse. That’s how the litigation game is played.” — Attorney Wesley Hutchins, counsel for Jessica Zahrt

The case has sparked national conversations about child safety, abuse allegations, parental alienation claims, and reunification practices inside family court.

Cases like this continue to raise difficult but necessary questions:

* How should courts balance abuse allegations and parent-child relationships?
* What metrics should be standardized in reunification, and best practice to stop communication from the alienating parent during the reunification process?
* How do we reduce emotional harm to children during prolonged litigation?
* What accountability exists when systems fail families?

No matter the perspective, children should never become collateral damage in family court conflict.

05/16/2026

“If you don’t control your kids, the District will,” says U.S. District Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Under D.C.’s curfew and delinquency laws, parents or guardians may now face enforcement actions when a minor’s curfew violation is connected to a Teen Takeover incident in D.C.. Under D.C. Code § 22-811, adults can be held accountable for knowingly enabling, facilitating, or permitting delinquent acts.

Since launching on August 7, 2025, the D.C. Safe Task Force’s multi-agency initiative has reportedly contributed to major reductions in violent crime across Washington, D.C., with a strong focus on cracking down on “Teen Takeovers” disrupting neighborhoods and businesses.

Officials stated that parents may face fines, court-ordered classes, and up to six months jail time depending on the circumstances.

Authorities emphasized that parental accountability is a public safety issue. Research continues to show that lack of parental supervision, family instability, and adverse childhood experiences are major risk factors tied to juvenile delinquency, violent crime, gang involvement, substance abuse, and incarceration later in life.

05/16/2026

"This is about parents' rights. Being a grandparent doesn't give you inherent rights to your grandchildren," Scott Naso told ABC News' Juju Chang. "Being grandparents, in my opinion, is a privilege."

A Rhode Island father is speaking out after winning a legal case against his late wife's parents regarding visitation rights with his daughter.

"Being grandparents, in my opinion, is a privilege," Scott Naso told ABC News' Juju Chang.

Naso said he has been living in "survival mode" since his wife, Shahrzad "Sherry" Naso, died two years ago and he became embroiled in a legal battle with his in-laws.

Read more: https://abcnews.visitlink.me/mC_tYF