NATIONAL FAMILY JUSTICE
Together, we can build a system where families are supported, children are protected, and justice is genuinely served.
About Us
National Family Justice
Our journey began informally in 2021 with just three individuals from different parts of the country who shared a vision: to provide education, support, and resources for parents involved in the family court system, as well as to advocate for court reform based on scientific data related to children and families. We believe that education is the foundation for change. By understanding how the system operates and where it fails, we can empower individuals to advocate for themselves and their families. Based on this principle, we offer training, tools, and resources to help you navigate the family court process, protect your rights, and support new legislation aimed at systemic reform.
WHAT WE DO
Our Practice Areas
Parent Support Group
Program
Stepparent Support Group Program
Shared Parenting Education and Planning Program
Legal Education & Pro Se Support Program
Military & Veteran Family Support Program
Civics and Legislative Advocacy Education Program
Supervised Visitation Program
Our Mission:
National Family Justice advocates for families navigating the legal system, using scientific evidence and trauma-informed practices to provide direct support, professional training, and data-driven reform. We address systemic failures in family court that perpetuate harm to children and families, including constitutional rights violations, custody inequities, domestic violence, child abuse, parental abduction, legal abuse, and the unique needs of military families. Through education, peer support, professional development, and legislative advocacy grounded in child development research and judicial best practices, we empower families to advocate for themselves while driving systematic transformation of the family court system toward justice, fairness, and genuine family welfare.
Our Vision:
A reformed family court system focused on justice, fairness, and genuine family
welfare.
Who We Serve:
NFJ proudly supports families nationwide, without regard to race, religion, or economic background.
What We Aim to Solve:
National Family Justice seeks to address systemic gaps in the family court system that contribute to prolonged litigation, inconsistent custody determinations, and preventable harm to children and families. The scope of this problem extends far beyond the courtroom - child custody disputes create cascading harms that ripple through individual mental and emotional health, family stability, workplace productivity, and economic vitality across society.
The Scale of the Problem
Approximately 26.8 million parents in the United States are currently affected by custody disputes, representing roughly 22% of the U.S. labor force. According to economic analysis, custody disputes generate an estimated $879 billion in annual lost productivity to U.S. corporations alone, with participants in research studies reporting an average distraction of 56% of their workday. The American Psychological Association estimates that overall workplace stress costs U.S. corporations approximately $300 billion annually, yet custody-related stress represents a distinct and largely unaddressed component of this burden.
When custody disputes result in unequal or sole-custody arrangements - a pattern that occurs in approximately 83% of cases where mothers are awarded primary or sole custody compared to only 17% for fathers - the economic and social consequences compound. Single parents experience severe limitations for quality childcare and often must reduce working hours, diminishing their own earnings potential while straining family finances. More balanced custody arrangements would help ensure healthier, more stable employees capable of working full hours and contributing optimally to their workplaces and communities.
Systemic Failures and Their Impact on Children and Families
Many families experiencing high-conflict separation, coercive control, allegations of abuse or neglect, or mental health concerns encounter a family court system that lacks standardized risk assessment, trauma-informed practices, and early case differentiation. This systemic failure creates predictable harm:
On Children: Children may experience disrupted attachment, unstable caregiving environments, and prolonged exposure to conflict. Research demonstrates that high-conflict custody disputes significantly increase mental health problems for both adults and children involved. Without evidence-based triage and case management, courts often fail to identify the true dynamics of family situations, leading to inappropriate custody determinations that endanger vulnerable children.
On Parents and Families: Parents involved in custody disputes report high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression - outcomes that significantly worsen when time-sharing determinations are ordered by judges rather than collaboratively agreed upon between parents. Prolonged litigation drains emotional resources, creates financial hardship through legal fees and court costs, and depletes the psychological capacity parents need to support their children effectively.
On Workforce Productivity and Economic Stability: Employees involved in custody disputes show significantly lower task and contextual performance, higher rates of counterproductive work behaviors including absenteeism and tardiness, and increased reliance on healthcare services for stress-related conditions. Mental and emotional health declines associated with custody involvement directly mediate reduced workplace performance across multiple dimensions.
NFJ's Approach to Prevention and Healing
National Family Justice works to reduce these harms by providing parent support, professional training, and evidence-based models for court triage and case management. By offering free or low-cost supervised visitation, shared parenting education and planning, peer mentorship, trauma-informed support groups, and professional training for judges, attorneys, mediators, and court personnel, NFJ directly addresses the gaps that perpetuate family court harm. Our goal is to strengthen parent-child relationships, improve the consistency and safety of custody outcomes, support the adoption of data-driven reforms that protect children, and ultimately promote family stability across every level of society - from individual families to workplaces to communities.
Conditions. Mental and emotional health declines associated with custody involvement directly mediate reduced workplace performance across multiple dimensions.
Our Core Values:
Service
We’re committed to supporting families in the legal system with compassion, dignity, and understanding—empowering them through education and advocacy.
Integrity
Integrity is our foundation. We uphold honesty, fairness, and accountability to build trust and stay true to our values.
Loyalty
We stand with families, defending their right to fair treatment and justice in the family court system with unwavering commitment and advocacy.
Transparency
We value open, transparent communication—offering clear information, accessible resources, and honest support to empower families and build trust.
Innovation
We drive reform through innovation—using research, evidence-based strategies, and collaboration to create adaptive, impactful solutions.
Collaboration
We believe in the power of collaboration—uniting families, professionals, communities, and policymakers to amplify impact and drive change.
Together, these core values define who we are and guide our steadfast pursuit of justice, reform, and support for families across the nation.
Our Priorities:
Assisting families to create child-focused transitions during separation.
Educating parents, attorneys, judges, and lawmakers on essential aspects of childhood development, learning, attachment, and trauma.
Expanding our impact through strategic partnerships and collaboration.
Embodying and promoting NFJ’s core values and inclusive culture.
Why This Matters:
The family court system is on the verge of significant change as new laws and increased public awareness bring much-needed accountability and reform. For years, families have been let down by a system that often prioritizes conflict over resolution, finances over family, and power over justice. This broken structure has harmed parents and, most importantly, children who deserve stability, love, and protection. With the introduction of new legislative measures, reform is no longer merely a possibility - it is becoming inevitable. The growing focus on family court corruption and mismanagement has become too pronounced to ignore, compelling the system to confront its shortcomings.
Together, we can build a system where families are supported, children are protected, and justice is genuinely served. Join us on this journey toward lasting change.
𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞
To every parent walking this difficult road:
We recognize the immense weight you carry and the challenges that sometimes feel insurmountable. In moments when the fight for justice seems endless and the system feels unyielding, remember: your love for your child is a force more powerful than any obstacle you face. You are not alone-there is a community that stands with you, that believes in your resilience, and that honors the courage you show every single day.
Every step you take in this journey is a testament to your devotion. Each day you rise and advocate for your child brings you closer to truth and healing. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but do not lose sight of your purpose: you are fighting for your child’s future, for a bond that cannot be broken by any ruling or circumstance.
Lean into your faith, your support network, and the conviction that truth endures. Hard times may test your spirit, but they also reveal the depth of your strength and the unwavering love you hold as a parent. Give yourself permission to grieve, to feel, and to seek help when you need it-self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity on this path.
Your willingness to keep going, even when it’s hard, is the greatest gift you can give your child.
A parent’s love is not defined or diminished by legal decisions. It transcends courtrooms and paperwork. While the system may limit your time or rights, it cannot sever the enduring connection between you and your child. True love remains steadfast-through heartbreak, through distance, and through every trial. It is always ready to comfort, protect, and, when the time is right, reunite.
Hold onto hope. Continue to fight, to believe, and to trust that the truth will come to light. The devotion you show today plants seeds of strength and hope in your child’s heart, and your perseverance will make a difference in both your lives.
No ruling can undo the unwavering love a parent holds for their child.
You are your child’s greatest advocate. Your love, your courage, and your hope are the foundation on which justice and healing are built. Keep going-you are not alone, and your efforts matter more than you may ever know.
With unwavering support,
Lance and Teresa Sneed
Testimonials
When attorneys told me it was pointless to pursue 50/50 shared parenting because of our assigned judge, I felt hopeless. But Teresa at National Family Justice changed everything. She gave me the tools, resources, and key talking points to empower my attorney and now my son has equal time with both parents and the best of both of us. I’m incredibly grateful for NFJ’s guidance and support.
John M.
Robert and Mark are amazing. Thanks to their unwavering support and dedication, our group was equipped with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to introduce new legislation in our state. National Family Justice truly empowers change.
Brian and Kimberly S.
The team at NFJ truly understands post-separation abuse and psychological child abuse. They gave me the strength and information to protect my children and myself, and helped ensure the court ordered the clinical evaluations we needed. Because of NFJ, the family dysfunction stops here—and the healing has begun.
Amanda F.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Helping families understand their rights, options, and next steps
1. What does National Family Justice do?
We support families navigating high-conflict custody, family court, and legal system abuse. Our services include education, advocacy, professional training, and support for families facing issues like violations of rights, coercive control, domestic violence, and parental alienation. We also file amicus briefs in landmark cases affecting parental rights.
2. Are you a law firm?
No, we are not a law firm and do not provide legal representation or advice. However, we offer tools, education, document review, and strategic support to empower families and pro se litigants. We can also help you find trauma-informed legal professionals in your area.
3. Can you help me if I don’t have a lawyer?
Yes. We specialize in supporting pro se (self-represented) parents with tools and reasources to help you advocate for yourself in court. We also provide referrals to vetted professionals.
4. Can you help if my case involves domestic violence or coercive control?
Absolutely. We recognize the difference between true “high conflict” and post-separation abuse. We help parents identify patterns of coercive control, gather documentation, and protect their children while advocating for safety in court.
5. What is your stance on shared parenting?
We support 50/50 shared parenting as the default in the absence of abuse, supported by child development research and constitutional equal protection. We also advocate for safe exceptions when domestic violence, abuse, or coercive control is present.
6. What is an amicus brief and how do you use them?
An amicus brief (friend of the court brief) is a legal document we submit to offer expertise or insight in cases with broad impact. We use them to advocate for parental rights, equal custody, and protections for children in courts across the U.S.
7. Do you work with military families?
Yes. We assist military-connected families by ensuring custody orders respect deployment obligations, federal protections like the SCRA and UDPCVA, and parent-child bonding despite service duties.
8. Can you help with problems involving CPS, a guardian ad litem, or a parenting coordinator?
Yes. We review CPS reports, GAL conduct, parenting coordinator conduct, custody evaluations, and risk assessments for ethical violations. We also provide documentation support and can help elevate concerns when due process is denied.
9. How can I get involved with your organization?
You can support our mission by volunteering, donating, or joining our parent-to-parent mentorship program. We also welcome professionals who want to advocate for reform or provide trauma-informed services.
10. How do I request help or a case review?
Use our contact form or email us directly at [email protected]. Please provide a short summary of your situation and what kind of support you’re seeking. A team member will follow up within 3–5 business days.
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