Attorneys coerce women into pre-determined outcomes decided by the court. Most women settle for the ‘deal’ believing the attorney’s threat - that they’ll get even less custody if they go to trial or don’t agree to the verbal agreement being presented.

Women are not told, however, that by settling, they waive their right to an appeal as it was “agreed” to. A New York mother shares her story.

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For 6 ½ years, the Suffolk County, New York Family Court system has perpetuated post-divorce abuse against me. 

Throughout lengthy custody battles fueled by my Ex and his legal teams, I faced unfounded accusations of child abuse, drug addiction, and alcoholism. 

Despite being cleared by Child Protective Services on 7 occasions and voluntarily undergoing evaluations that confirmed I am not an addict, the court continued to limit my time with my sons. 

For nearly a year, I could only see them for 4 hours on Sundays in a public setting, all during the Covid pandemic.

In our most recent court appearance earlier this year, as we were preparing for trial, both my court-appointed attorney and the attorney representing my sons, brought me into a conference room. 

They shut the door and delivered devastating news: "This court cannot help you. You need to concede to his demand for residential custody. You will still have joint custody, and have to cover all healthcare costs since you’re the only working parent, and you’ll see your sons every other weekend and on holidays. You should restart your life, far from him, as he won’t stop."

My sons, just 8 and 5 when this began, have lost so much time with me for no valid reason. They deserve so much better. 

Mom in New York

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