High Conflict Hell

JeniLynn Marks and Jenn Lauren
  • 4.8 (17)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

Stories about high-conflict relationships, child custody battles, family court, divorce, co-parenting, and toxic dynamics told by two single moms navigating the chaos in real time. Episodes can be listened to in any order — each one explores a different story, situation, or moment from life in high-conflict parenting and family court. All content produced for the High Conflict Hell podcast is owned and operated by High Conflict Hell LLC. This content is for informational and storytelling purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of this content without permission from High Conflict Hell LLC is prohibited.

  1. 21h ago

    Hope Rose's Story: I Lost My Son Through an Ex Parte Order

    What happens when a mother loses custody through an ex parte court order without a full trial? In this episode of High Conflict Hell, Hope Rose shares her years-long family court battle, including how she says her son was removed through an emergency custody order, why she chose not to comply with that order for 67 days, and what happened after. Hope discusses navigating family court as a self-represented litigant, custody evaluations, allegations of domestic abuse, expert testimony, and the emotional toll of prolonged custody litigation. She also explains how she's turned her experience into advocacy for other protective mothers facing high-conflict custody disputes. If you're interested in family court, child custody, protective mothers, ex parte custody orders, custody evaluations, parental rights, domestic abuse, or high-conflict co-parenting, this conversation offers one mother's perspective on the system and the lasting impact of family court litigation. Register for the FREE Family Court Transformation Summit, August 10 -14, 2026 hosted by Hope Rose (and come see JeniLynn speak August 10).  The Family Court Transformation Summit brings together attorneys, mental health professionals, advocates, experts, and parents to discuss the realities of today's family court system. Learn about child custody, domestic abuse, protective mothers, high-conflict co-parenting, custody evaluations, parental rights, and practical strategies for navigating family court while protecting your mental health. Whether you're currently in family court, supporting someone who is, or working to reform the system, this free virtual summit offers education, resources, and hope. Register for free: www.familycourtsummit.com https://www.parentingplan101.com/  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/docufam-custody-event-log/id6761786386 https://www.highconflicthell.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn5xLFQKCaDCsVmeSwyQtuMydN-_xRj95O7286KH9LquDyIjAbTmDGt9baG9s_aem_0haCDjtc8nivJDk4bCOUpQ https://www.youtube.com/@highconflicthell https://www.instagram.com/highconflicthell/ https://www.tiktok.com/@highconflicthell

  2. 3d ago

    Children Are Not Property: Meg Groff on Fixing Family Court

    Family law attorney Meg Groff has spent more than 40 years fighting for women, children, and survivors of domestic violence—and she's still in the fight. She is the author of Not If I Can Help It: A Family Lawyer's Battles for Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence and the Poor, available wherever books are sold. In this episode, Meg explains why children in custody cases should never be treated as property, why a one-size-fits-all presumption of 50/50 custody can harm children, and how the family court system often prioritizes parental rights over children's safety and well-being. Meg shares the personal experience that inspired her legal career, discusses the rise of the fathers' rights movement, the use of parental alienation claims in custody litigation, and why parenting plans can sometimes unintentionally create more conflict instead of less. Whether you're navigating a custody battle, practicing family law, advocating for survivors of domestic violence, or simply interested in how the family court system works, this conversation offers more than four decades of insight into one of the most misunderstood areas of the law. Meg's book: Not If I Can Help It: A Family Lawyer's Battles for Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence and the Poor(available wherever books are sold). Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every family law case is unique, and the information shared in this episode should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship. https://www.parentingplan101.com/  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/docufam-custody-event-log/id6761786386 https://www.highconflicthell.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn5xLFQKCaDCsVmeSwyQtuMydN-_xRj95O7286KH9LquDyIjAbTmDGt9baG9s_aem_0haCDjtc8nivJDk4bCOUpQ https://www.youtube.com/@highconflicthell https://www.instagram.com/highconflicthell/ https://www.tiktok.com/@highconflicthell

  3. Jul 28

    High Conflict Lawyers: Motion to Reconsider & Tit-illating Parenting Stories

    This week, we’re back in family court with a motion to reconsider after Daddy’s request to compel a mental health evaluation was denied. We break down what a motion to reconsider actually is, why court rules matter, and how repeated motions and high-conflict litigation can financially and emotionally impact the parents—and ultimately their children. Then comes the plot twist: Mom and Dad start communicating directly through OurFamilyWizard, and it turns out they may agree on far more than their court filings would suggest. We talk settlement, attorney fees, mental health evaluations, changing circumstances, and why a detailed parenting plan can prevent every disagreement from becoming another trip to court. And because this is High Conflict Hell, we mix family court with real-life parenting stories, parenting humor, and the absolute chaos of being a mom. One very important message gets misread while someone is naked, there are multiple t**s-out parenting stories, a soccer mom eats shit in the street, and a family beach day goes slightly off the rails. High-conflict lawyers, motions to reconsider, funny parenting stories, co-parenting, custody battles, single mom life, and t**s out. Next time, we’ll try to put our clothes on before crying in bed with our ex-boyfriends while messaging our ex-husbands. Not legal advice, therapeutic advice, or relationship advice.  https://www.parentingplan101.com/  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/docufam-custody-event-log/id6761786386 https://www.highconflicthell.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn5xLFQKCaDCsVmeSwyQtuMydN-_xRj95O7286KH9LquDyIjAbTmDGt9baG9s_aem_0haCDjtc8nivJDk4bCOUpQ https://www.youtube.com/@highconflicthell https://www.instagram.com/highconflicthell/ https://www.tiktok.com/@highconflicthell

  4. Jul 25

    See You in Family Court: Car Crashes, School Districts & Summer Vacations

    We are back with real-life parenting stories involving car crashes, summer vacations, school district issues, and family court. We share what happens when warnings about typical teenage behavior get dismissed when two parents cannot effectively communicate—and more than $20,000 in damage occurs. The accident opens up a much bigger conversation about teenage behavior, parental accountability, 50/50 custody, and the difference between sharing parenting time on paper and actually sharing the mental, financial, and logistical work of raising children. We also get into school district disputes, private school tuition, medical appointments, extracurricular expenses, and what happens when a parenting plan doesn’t clearly address some of the decisions parents end up fighting about later. We share a family court story that shows exactly why the details of a parenting plan matter. A dispute over summer vacation, out-of-state travel, parenting time, exchange locations, and a temporary parenting plan quickly escalates into attorney emails, accusations of withholding the children and parental alienation, and threats of going back to court. But when Mom and Dad are finally able to communicate directly through OurFamilyWizard, the conflict looks very different. We discuss: • High-conflict co-parenting and family court • Parenting plans and custody agreements • 50/50 custody vs. 50/50 parenting • School districts and educational decision-making • Private school tuition and shared child expenses • Summer vacation provisions in parenting plans • Out-of-state travel with children after divorce • Parenting-time exchanges and neutral exchange locations • Temporary parenting plans and custody modifications • Attorney conflict and escalating family law litigation • OurFamilyWizard and co-parent communication • Allegations of parental alienation and withholding parenting time • Teenagers, boundaries, consequences, and co-parenting between two homes • Why detailed parenting plans can prevent future custody disputes If you’re navigating divorce, child custody, a parenting plan, a custody modification, or high-conflict co-parenting, this episode is a real-life look at how seemingly ordinary parenting issues—school, vacations, transportation, communication, and schedules—can become major disputes in family court. Learn more about parenting plans at ParentingPlan101.com. The first class is free. High Conflict Hell is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide legal, medical, or therapeutic advice. https://www.parentingplan101.com/  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/docufam-custody-event-log/id6761786386 https://www.highconflicthell.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn5xLFQKCaDCsVmeSwyQtuMydN-_xRj95O7286KH9LquDyIjAbTmDGt9baG9s_aem_0haCDjtc8nivJDk4bCOUpQ https://www.youtube.com/@highconflicthell https://www.instagram.com/highconflicthell/ https://www.tiktok.com/@highconflicthell

  5. Jul 21

    Status Conference: What the Hell Is It? Family Court, Daddy & a Custody Battle

    We break down what a status conference is, what to expect, and how it fits into a high-conflict child custody case in Family Court. We record before and after Jen’s real-life status conference as she navigates a minor parenting plan modification, jurisdiction issues, mediation delays, discovery disputes, a Guardian ad Litem (GAL), attorney conflict, and the mounting financial cost of family court litigation. We also talk about why understanding family court procedure matters—especially if you're representing yourself pro se—and how a custody case can spiral into tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees before parents ever make it to trial. Plus, Daddy makes another appearance, we discuss why poorly written parenting plans can create even more conflict. If you're navigating family court, a custody battle, a parenting plan modification, or a high-conflict co-parenting situation, this episode offers a real-life look behind the curtain at a process that can feel confusing, intimidating, and anything but transparent. Learn more about creating stronger parenting plans at ParentingPlan101.com. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide legal, medical, mental health, or therapeutic advice. https://www.parentingplan101.com/  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/docufam-custody-event-log/id6761786386 https://www.highconflicthell.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn5xLFQKCaDCsVmeSwyQtuMydN-_xRj95O7286KH9LquDyIjAbTmDGt9baG9s_aem_0haCDjtc8nivJDk4bCOUpQ https://www.youtube.com/@highconflicthell https://www.instagram.com/highconflicthell/ https://www.tiktok.com/@highconflicthell

  6. Jul 18

    Dorothy's Story (Part 3): The GAL Report, Pretrial Conference & Settlement Conference

    In the final chapter of Dorothy's story, we break down the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) investigation and report, navigating a pretrial conference pro se, searching for an attorney, mediation, and the difficult decision of whether to settle or go to trial. Dorothy shares what it was like navigating family court without an attorney, how a well-written parenting plan became critical to protecting her son, and the lessons she learned after years of high-conflict custody litigation. If you're facing a child custody dispute, this episode offers practical education on Guardian ad Litem (GAL) recommendations, parenting plans, mediation, settlement negotiations, and preparing for family court. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, mental health, or therapeutic advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship. Always consult a qualified attorney, healthcare provider, or mental health professional regarding your specific circumstances. https://www.parentingplan101.com/  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/docufam-custody-event-log/id6761786386 https://www.highconflicthell.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn5xLFQKCaDCsVmeSwyQtuMydN-_xRj95O7286KH9LquDyIjAbTmDGt9baG9s_aem_0haCDjtc8nivJDk4bCOUpQ https://www.youtube.com/@highconflicthell https://www.instagram.com/highconflicthell/ https://www.tiktok.com/@highconflicthell

  7. Jul 14

    Dorothy's Story (Part 2): Play Therapy, A Parent Banned From School & Family Court

    In Part 2 of this three-part series, a simple request to continue a six-year-old's play therapy spirals into a high-conflict custody dispute—and his father's request for sole custody. The dispute quickly expands into battles over parenting decisions, school records, police involvement, and a parenting plan that leaves some of the biggest decisions about a child's life completely undefined. Dorothy details how a Fourth of July parenting exchange involving police resurfaces during play therapy, leading to new questions about the child's emotional well-being. She also shares why a parent was ultimately banned from his son's school and how disagreements over therapy and education led to court intervention, a Guardian ad Litem (GAL), and thousands of dollars in additional litigation. We also discuss: • Play therapy in child custody cases • Police involvement during parenting exchanges • A parent being banned from a child's school • Parenting plans that fail to address school  • Guardian ad Litem (GAL) investigations • Case managers and high-conflict custody disputes • High-conflict co-parenting and OFW (OurFamilyWizard) • Family court litigation and attorney tactics • The financial cost of child custody battles • Preparing for trial without an attorney This is Part 2 of a three-part series following Dorothy's ongoing custody case. High Conflict Hell is a podcast about family court, child custody, parenting plans, domestic violence, coercive control, court abuse, and the realities of high-conflict litigation. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice. https://www.parentingplan101.com/  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/docufam-custody-event-log/id6761786386 https://www.highconflicthell.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn5xLFQKCaDCsVmeSwyQtuMydN-_xRj95O7286KH9LquDyIjAbTmDGt9baG9s_aem_0haCDjtc8nivJDk4bCOUpQ https://www.youtube.com/@highconflicthell https://www.instagram.com/highconflicthell/ https://www.tiktok.com/@highconflicthell

  8. Jul 11

    Dorothy's Story (Part 1): From Mexico to a Kansas Custody Battle

    Dorothy is from Mexico. After moving to Kansas, she has a child with an attorney. Years later, what begins as a simple request to continue her six-year-old son's therapy spirals into an all-out child custody battle after his father responds by seeking sole custody. In Part 1 of Dorothy's Story, Dorothy shares how language barriers, cultural expectations, coercive control, domestic violence, and court abuse shaped her custody case. According to Dorothy, her ex weaponized her English, used court-ordered communication to maintain control, and repeatedly used litigation as a means of control. She also explains why multiple attorneys told her that abuse directed at her—not her child—would likely have little impact on custody in Kansas. We also discuss: • Kansas child custody laws and the 50/50 presumption • Domestic violence and coercive control • Family court litigation • Court abuse and litigation tactics • Parenting plans and high-conflict co-parenting • OFW (OurFamilyWizard) communications • Language barriers in family court • Custody battles involving attorneys • Financial control after separation • Why leaving an abusive relationship doesn't always end the abuse This is Part 1 of a three-part series following Dorothy's ongoing custody case. High Conflict Hell is a podcast about family court, child custody, parenting plans, domestic violence, coercive control, court abuse, and the realities of high-conflict litigation. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice. https://www.parentingplan101.com/  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/docufam-custody-event-log/id6761786386 https://www.highconflicthell.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn5xLFQKCaDCsVmeSwyQtuMydN-_xRj95O7286KH9LquDyIjAbTmDGt9baG9s_aem_0haCDjtc8nivJDk4bCOUpQ https://www.youtube.com/@highconflicthell https://www.instagram.com/highconflicthell/ https://www.tiktok.com/@highconflicthell

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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Stories about high-conflict relationships, child custody battles, family court, divorce, co-parenting, and toxic dynamics told by two single moms navigating the chaos in real time. Episodes can be listened to in any order — each one explores a different story, situation, or moment from life in high-conflict parenting and family court. All content produced for the High Conflict Hell podcast is owned and operated by High Conflict Hell LLC. This content is for informational and storytelling purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of this content without permission from High Conflict Hell LLC is prohibited.

Information

  • Creator
    JeniLynn Marks and Jenn Lauren
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 High Conflict Hell
  • Show Website
    High Conflict Hell

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