My name is Larry Hampton, and this cause is deeply personal to me because I have spent years fighting for what I believe is one of the most fundamental rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution: the right to due process before a court enters a judgment against you.

As a father involved in four separate Connecticut child support cases, I have faced default judgments in every instance. Each of these judgments was made without me having the opportunity to properly present my case due to issues with being served. I, like so many other parents, have suffered the consequences of a system that, in its current state, can mislead parents into unfair judgments that impact our lives and the futures of our children profoundly.

The United States Constitution provides everyone the right to due process, yet in Connecticut, parents like myself can face life-altering decisions made in our absence. Improper service processes often lead to these harmful default judgments, which can have devastating effects on families, finances, and futures. We need a system that ensures parents are adequately notified and given the chance to participate in these critical proceedings.

Research from the National Center for State Courts shows that improper default judgments highly corrode trust in the family court system and increase litigant dissatisfaction. Furthermore, a report by the U.S. Department of Justice emphasizes that due process violations can perpetuate cycles of poverty and legal issues.

To address these damaging practices, I propose the following reforms to the Connecticut family courts:

1. **Enhance Notification Requirements** - Implement stringent standards for serving court papers to ensure that all parties receive proper and timely notification.

2. **Mandatory Proof of Service** - Require verifiable proof that documents have been served before any default judgment can be entered against a party.

3. **Accessible Legal Resources** - Provide clear and accessible resources for parents who may not understand their legal rights or the complexities of court processes.

4. **Review Mechanism for Default Judgments** - Establish a fair and transparent review process for default judgments to rectify any that have been improperly granted due to insufficient notice.

Let's protect our families and uphold the principles upon which our judicial system was built. Demand justice and fairness in Connecticut family courts. Sign this petition to bring about vital due process reforms that will safeguard parents' rights to be heard and prevent the unjust default judgments that threaten our livelihoods and parental bonds.