Committee on Family Court Orders Sheds Light on Stories of System Abuse, Devastating Consequences for Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Committee on Family Court Orders Sheds Light on Stories of System Abuse,

Devastating Consequences for Families

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— State lawmakers are investigating allegations of ongoing abuse within Arizona's family court system through a series of joint ad hoc committee hearings, with the first commencing Monday. Personal stories from aggrieved parents and traumatized children revealed disturbing patterns of judicial overreach, lack of accountability, and the silencing of parents and children in custody battles.

Chaired by Senator Mark Finchem and Representative Rachel Keshel, the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Family Court Orders brought long-overdue attention to the lived experiences of families who have been taken advantage of by a system that is meant to protect them. Multiple parents explained how they have spent nearly a decade in court, costing them hundreds of thousands of dollars – one even exceeding $1 million, due to prolonged custody battles involving court-ordered therapeutic intervention (TI).

Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, a second committee hearing is scheduled for May 12 to continue addressing these issues and begin shaping legislative solutions aimed at restoring integrity and justice to Arizona's family court system.

"I have serious concerns that the civil rights of children are being violated. We will not allow these voices to go unheard any longer," said Senator Finchem.  "Real change needs to happen to the family courts in Arizona. We can't take a problem that is this big and give it a simple solution. It was made clear today by those who spoke of their experience, the system is breaking families, and the role of certain court professionals needs to be evaluated. I was appalled when the only person who testified in favor of court-ordered TI, Kristyn Alcott, a frequent court-appointed 'therapeutic parenting time supervisor' said in essence, the court can order whatever they would like, that is why we have a court of appeals. A judge cannot order whatever they would like. They are required to uphold the rule of law. Over the course of four additional committee hearings, we will work on solutions to safeguard families and hold bad actors accountable for any self-serving unreasonable practices."

"As a legislator and a mother, I can’t stay silent while Arizona families are being torn apart behind closed courtroom doors," said Representative Keshel. "What we heard in the committee was heartbreaking—but not surprising. Parents are being silenced, children are being traumatized, and the people responsible hide behind the bench or a therapy license. We have a duty to expose this abuse and fix a system that no longer serves the best interests of the child."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus kquintero@azleg.gov