The New York State National Organization for Women has declared a crisis for women in family law and made it the theme of their December 4-5 Annual Convention. According to NOW-NYS, the NY family court system "routinely deprives mothers and their children of their human and civil rights. These violations frequently result in mothers losing custody of their children to batterers, even in instances where there are outstanding allegations of child abuse...[the] court system allows batterers to destroy [mothers] financially through years of costly litigation, supervised visits, and related practices." 

By contrast, fathers' groups view the NY family law system and its sole custody norm as bloodsport, where parents must fight like gladiators in a ring for custody in a match which is thoroughly rigged against dads.

Between the New York State Matrimonial Commission hearings, a public re-examination of New York's fault-based divorce system, the high profile Bridget Marks case, the federal class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of noncustodial parents in New York and in dozens of other states, the NYS NOW convention, and others, New York family law is under scrutiny.

Pioneer family law attorney Cecile C. Weich has represented women and championed feminist causes for over four decades. Family law attorney Michael Varble helps parents fight visitation interference and gain equal access to their children. Cecile and Michael joined Glenn on His Side with Glenn Sacks on December 5.

To learn more about New York Family Law and family court bias, see:

• New York State National Organization for Women devotes conference to "family court system which routinely deprives mothers and their children of their human and civil rights"

• Feminist Renee Beeker's The Status of Women in the Family Law Arena, (NOW-NYS Reporter, Fall 2004)

• "State panel hears complaints about divorce laws, procedures: Fathers say courts biased against them" (Press & Sun-Bulletin, 10/30/04)

• Commissioner of the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Robert Doar's testimony to the Matrimonial Commission of the NYS Office of Court Administration

• NOW-NYS President Kathryn Lake Mazierksi's testimony to the Matrimonial Commission of the NYS Office of Court Administration (NOW-NYS Reporter, Fall 2004)

• Melanie I. Cummings' letter to the NY Matrimonial Commission

• The Coalition of Fathers and Families of New York--www.fafny.org.

• Glenn's co-authored column Can Abolishing Sole Custody Curb Divorce? (New York Sun, 10/2/02)

• Glenn's column Convicted Murderess Can Get Custody but Decent Fathers Can't (Houston Chronicle, 9/19/03)

• Glenn's co-authored column Ruling in High-Profile Marks Custody Case: Painful but Correct (Men's News Daily, 9/14/04)

• Dr. Kathie Mathis' column Bridget Marks: When Courts Get It Wrong (NOW-NYS Reporter, Fall 2004).

• His Side: Allred vs. Tong--Is Parental Alienation Syndrome a Fathers' Rights Hoax? (6/27/04)

• His Side: Bridget Marks PAS/Custody Case (6/13/04)

• Glenn's radio commentary on the Bridget Marks case: "In Defense of Arlene Goldberg"