National Family Justice

10/17/2026

When research is used to shape custody law, its limitations matter.

Our written testimony examines the widely cited Meier study, which analyzed published court opinions—not a representative sample of all custody cases. Most of those opinions were appellate decisions, and the researchers could not independently determine whether the underlying abuse allegations were true.

Other research teams have published conflicting findings and critiques. Meier’s team has published responses.

The point is not to dismiss research—or abuse allegations. It is to distinguish allegations from findings, acknowledge uncertainty, and avoid treating a contested study as the final word on Pennsylvania families.

Read our full discussion:
https://nationalfamilyjusticeinc.substack.com/p/equal-shared-parenting-written-testimony

10/16/2026

Children’s safety and meaningful relationships with both fit parents deserve a full and accurate hearing.

National Family Justice’s written testimony in support of Pennsylvania’s HB 1499 responds point by point to claims made at the October 5 House Judiciary hearing—examining the research, challenging the statistics, and calling for a balanced record.

The testimony supports equal shared parenting with strong safety protections, individualized decisions, and better Pennsylvania custody data. Because “mother” is not a safety finding, and “father” is not a risk finding.

Read the full testimony:
https://nationalfamilyjusticeinc.substack.com/p/equal-shared-parenting-written-testimony


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10/16/2026

Protecting children requires more than assumptions about who is safe and who is dangerous.

A mother can need protection. A father can need protection. A child can need protection from either parent.

National Family Justice’s written rebuttal to Pennsylvania’s HB 1499 hearing challenges gender-based arguments and calls for decisions grounded in evidence about the individual family—not labels. Supporting meaningful relationships with both safe, fit parents and demanding strong protections against abuse are not opposing goals.

Comment "Equal Shared Parenting" if you want to read our testimony.

10/09/2026

“They are not asking for special treatment; they are just asking for a fair starting point.”

In the emotional closing of his remarks at Pennsylvania’s Judiciary Committee hearing, Representative Jamie Flick asked lawmakers to imagine having their everyday presence in their child’s life reduced to an every-other-weekend schedule—not because they were unsafe or unfit, but because of a system he described as “winner-take-all.”

You can hear the emotion in his voice as he speaks about what that separation means for children and parents. His appeal to pass House Bill 1499 brings the conversation back to the families behind the legislation.

At National Family Justice, we believe children deserve safety, stability, and meaningful relationships with both safe, loving parents. A fair starting point should never mean overlooking abuse or ignoring a child’s individual needs. It means carefully considering those needs without treating one fit parent as a winner and the other as a visitor.

10/08/2026

“Doing nothing is no longer acceptable.”

At Pennsylvania’s Judiciary Committee hearing, Representative Jamie Flick called on lawmakers to put children ahead of politics, special interests, and the status quo—after years of waiting, hearing from families, and securing support from 79 House members.

At National Family Justice, we believe children must remain at the center of family court reform. Families deserve more than acknowledgment of their struggles. They deserve meaningful action that prioritizes safety, protects relationships with safe, loving parents, and strengthens fairness and accountability.

10/07/2026

“I would have testified against this. And I would have been wrong.”

In this clip, Kentucky Family Court Judge Mica Pence reflects on her initial concerns about Kentucky’s 2018 equal parenting time presumption—and how her experience on the bench changed her perspective.

Would moving between homes be good for children? Could parents work together? Those were questions she had, too. After seeing the law in practice, her message is clear: “I’ve seen this work.”

At National Family Justice, we believe meaningful reform starts with keeping children at the center and listening to those who see the outcomes firsthand. Judge Pence’s testimony offers a powerful perspective on why we must remain willing to reconsider our assumptions.

10/07/2026

Children should not be harmed by the very process meant to protect them.

In this clip from the Pennsylvania Judiciary Committee hearing on HB 1499, Representative Jamie Flick addresses the toll of repeated delays in custody proceedings and the devastating consequences when allegations are determined to be false.

Every allegation of abuse must be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. Protecting children also means recognizing the harm when false allegations separate them from a safe, loving parent.

At National Family Justice, we believe children’s safety, stability, and well-being must remain at the center—not prolonged conflict. Children deserve a process that protects them, carefully examines the evidence, and preserves safe, loving family relationships.

10/02/2026

"Caring about men is not a retreat from caring about women. It is a completion of it." — Dr. Warren Farrell

Dr. Farrell opened the Symposium for Young American Men with a four-minute video statement. His work spans 40 years, from Why Men Are the Way They Are to The Boy Crisis.

His message: many young men today feel disposable. Feeling shamed for being male, worthless, and lonely leaves them vulnerable to addiction and su***de. Some fail in school, commit crimes, or end up homeless.

"Boys who hurt us are boys who hurt," he said. "And boys who hurt us are usually boys who are dad deprived."

He called for moving from compassion to change, including:
• Equal shared parenting, so a boy doesn't lose his dad when his parents separate
• Training couples to communicate, leading to fewer divorces and less dad deprivation
• At least equal numbers of young male therapists
• An office for men's physical and mental health
• Incentives for male mentors and elementary school teachers

"When only one s*x wins, both s*xes lose."

His closing message to every young man: "We need you. We see you. Your future matters. And your future is our future."

Watch the full four-minute statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YtzBiRn2K8

After being acknowledged for a half century of introducing boys' an...

10/01/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

At National Family Justice, we believe every child deserves to be safe. We also believe children benefit from meaningful relationships with safe, loving, capable parents.

Those two values work together. Abuse, coercion, and credible safety risks must be taken seriously and handled with individualized protection. Healthy parent-child bonds deserve protection too.

If you or someone you love is in danger, help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

Protecting children means getting both right.

09/30/2026

LEGISLATIVE WATCH: Pennsylvania HB 1499

Pennsylvania families, this is your chance to be heard.

On Monday, October 5, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1499 at the Main Capitol in Harrisburg.

9:00 a.m. – Press conference on the Rotunda Steps
10:00 a.m. – House Judiciary Committee hearing, Room 140, Main Capitol
12:30 p.m. - Open Speaking Opportunity for Parents.

We thank Rep. Jamie Flick for sponsoring this bill and advocating for Pennsylvania's children and families.

If you plan to attend, bring a respectful sign, prepare a short 2–3 minute statement, and confirm the final event details before you travel.

When families show up, lawmakers listen. Share this with someone in Pennsylvania.