Mobile, Ala. — November marks Family Court Awareness Month, a time for the city’s judges, advocates and service providers to remind families that children’s well‑being must come first when navigating divorce, custody disputes and domestic‑violence cases.
Judges call for child‑centered approaches
Presiding Domestic Relations Judge Walter Honeycutt warned that children can spend years caught in the crossfire of contentious custody battles. “They use the child as a weapon … and it just tears you apart when you see people not loving the child more than the hatred they have towards each other,” he said.
Circuit Court Judge Theresa Williamson echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the long‑term impact on youngsters. “It’s harder for those children to stay married, develop relationships, finish school, develop careers. So it’s important … to try to assist these families in navigating this process, so that they can come out as whole as possible,” Williamson explained.
Support for survivors of domestic violence
Hilary Granger, a court advocate with Penelope House, highlighted protective‑order options that can extend coverage to children. She noted that leaving an abusive situation often means losing financial support and facing pressure from family and friends. “It can be really hard having to justify your decision to people over and over, and just kind of putting your vulnerabilities, some of your hardest moments, out there for a lot of people to see. It takes a lot of strength and a lot of courage to do it,” Granger said.
Supervised visitation offers a path to rebuilding
Michon Trent, executive director of Gulf Coast Family Center, described supervised visitation as a tool for parents working to repair relationships. “This is a way for the parent to kind of show that I’ve changed, I’ve improved, or I’m working on changing. So we want parents to know structure is okay. Giving guidance is okay. You don’t have to be their best friend. You just need to show a lot of love, and support, and caring. That’s more important than some of the other things, and that we’re going to get along even if we don’t live together,” Trent said.
Calls for trauma‑informed training
Advocates are urging the court system to adopt more trauma‑informed training for judges and attorneys, ensuring that legal professionals understand the emotional impact of family conflict on children. Local organizations such as Penelope House and Gulf Coast Family Center continue to provide counseling, legal assistance and educational resources to families navigating these challenges.
By spotlighting these resources during Family Court Awareness Month, Mobile’s legal community hopes to reduce the collateral damage of family disputes and give children the stable, loving environment they deserve.
Original reporting: FOX10 WALA Mobile (news) — read the source article.
