Alternative Explanations for Purported Child Abuse
A common joke amongst law students, especially for those like me with an undergrad degree in political science, is that we attended law school to avoid math and other topics like it. We certainly did not attend law school expecting to research medical conditions. But in my time working on cases involving allegations of child […]
To Catch A Predator: TikTok Edition
Everyone knows Chris Hansen’s show, To Catch A Predator. He was praised for exposing pedophiles to the world by posing online as underage girls that the pedophiles attempted to meet in-person, collecting evidence against the perpetrators just like law enforcement. But now, teenagers inspired by Hansen are exacting their own form of retribution against purported pedophiles. […]
Grey Divorces in Arizona: What, Why, and How
You might know an older couple who is suddenly getting divorced after being married for decades and thought, “Why now?” These “grey divorces” happen. And increasingly so, according to research conducted earlier this year [1]. What Is a “Grey Divorce”? The “grey” in “grey divorcing” refers not to an ethical area, but rather to the […]
False Allegations of Child Abuse Can Happen to Anyone, Even Cardi B
Recently, someone called Child Protection Services on Cardi B in the middle of the night. The caller claimed that Cardi B was physically abusing her children. The rapper has had pranks pulled on her in the past (e.g. food deliveries she never ordered), but she draws the line at “pranks” affecting her children. In turn, […]
Drowning in Cash—And Infidelity
Less than a month ago, the Court of Appeals of Arizona heard a case from a wife who accused her husband of using $530,578 “for non-community purposes” [1]. But what does that mean? To fully understand the gravity of the situation (and to understand why it is even worse than that allegation suggests), you will […]
Help! My Ex Falsely Accused Me of Child Abuse!
False allegations of child abuse from former partners are a reality. Sometimes, they are retaliatory to damage the other parent’s credibility or reputation. This (highly unethical) strategy is used to gain leverage over the other person or to induce the court to change parenting orders. These reports may also be done after a decree has […]
How Public Is a Registry Substantiation?
While we have previously discussed the extent of publicity in a family court proceeding, it is important to note that registry cases are an entirely different area of law. Consequently, different rules apply to the findings, processes, and disclosure obligations, including the rules governing publication of registry findings and records from the administrative proceedings. A […]
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in Arizona: Full of Financial Barriers and Frozen Futures
What is IVF? A commonly used acronym, IVF refers to “in vitro fertilization.” IVF is a process by which mature eggs are taken from a person’s ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a lab to create one or more embryos. These embryos are then frozen until the prospective carrier receives medicine designed to prepare their […]
How Public is a Family Court Proceeding?
Whether it is true crime stories or high-profile celebrity divorces, it goes without saying that a significant amount of popular content revolves around courtroom drama. The constant exposure to dramatized legal proceedings may lead to an inaccurate idea of how these processes actually work. This exposure can also contribute to the fear that everyday court […]
Can I Include a “No-Cheating” Clause in My Prenup?
As the rate of divorces in the United States continues to grow, more couples are getting prenuptial agreements to protect their assets before their marriage even begins [1]. Although prenuptial agreements tend to be focused primarily on addressing financial concerns, some parties choose to include an “infidelity clause” and other clauses focused more on regulating […]