I am petitioning for national and governmental reform in the family court system, although I believe the whole court system needs an overhaul.

Over the years I have heard statements that certain people are favored in the family courts. Now stepping into the game, I'm finding it is the opposite.

Psychology is becoming more understood, as well as the link between mental health and how it affects surmountable aspects of life. Despite this, we find that our system does not favor cutting down to the root of an issue. Only the surface issues and reactions to those issues. This ideology leaves abuse victims vulnerable to the system and rulings are made apart from psychological issues and often in favor of abusers. Abuse victims are not given the support and justice that is deserved, creating a cycle in which children are continuously subjected to their abusive parent's rights, rather than giving children rights to be protected.

Reform that can be pushed for through our law makers that represent us: 1) Mandatory psychological evaluations and individual licensed counseling for both parties in divorce and custody cases; 2) Mandatory psychological evaluations and parenting classes for both parties in protection/restraining orders; 3) Mandatory counseling for a child(ren) in family law cases through the age of 21, the cost to be split between both parties, dependent upon income; 4) In the event protection/restraining orders are granted, the abuser loses visitation rights until a child is 16 and can choose to communicate, which still allows time for counseling and therapy to occur before 18 years old, in which incurs great potential for adult responsibilities and lacking in time; 5) Granted protection/restraining orders must be made public record to serve as a warning to potential victims, but not as a means for employers to terminate employees or determining employment eligibility; 6) No less than 5 counseling visitations with the same licensed counselor or psychologist to determine if recommendation or refusal for supervised visitation be granted for abusers; 7) If supervised visitation is granted, despite protection/restraining orders, the abusers will be made 50-100% responsible for licensed counseling therapy of their child(ren) to be determined for consideration in which licensed counselor to assign at the same hearing; 8) Mental, emotional, and verbal abuse must be taken into account when determining custody and visitation rights, just as physical abuse; 9) All cases and included documents involving both parties in other states must be accessible to pro-se litigants and attorneys and their legal team; 10) CPS must investigate claims of emotional and verbal abuse; 11) Immediate mandatory and 2 year recurrent psychological education certifications for lawyers, judges, and all those involved in determining what is best for a child's well-being; 12) Emancipation as an option for 15 year olds nationwide, especially in cases that CPS, social workers, suicide watch and attempts, and protection/restraining orders have been involved; 13) Nationwide allow a child 10 years and older to express custody and visitation wishes to school counselor, guardian ad litem, police officers, or licensed counselor, to be subpoenaed for court via Zoom, in person, or written statements; 14) Medicaid coverage for counseling across state lines, due to a national challenge of receiving mental health assistance.

Reformation such as these actions will serve as a step in the right direction, to protect future generations, and begin rightful criminalizing of all abuse. Ensuring that both parties are evaluated and treated will serve to help them in the future for their legal cases, as well as their and their children's mental health, in turn creating strength in the next generation. Counseling and therapy will prove to treat and prevent abuse from recurring in future generations, which will in effect lower family law cases, state taxes and county funds utilized in those cases, and build a stronger society overall. Let's treat the roots. Let's create a better world.