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Can You Kidnap Your Own Child? The Hague Convention, International Custody Battles, and the Saeed Abedini Case

Understanding the Difference Between Parental Kidnapping and International Child Abduction One of the most frightening accusations a parent can hear during a custody dispute is, “You kidnapped our child.” For many parents, that word immediately creates fear about police involvement, criminal charges, or losing custody. However, the reality is more complicated. In many ordinary family law situations, a parent traveling with their child, visiting family, or taking a trip across state lines does not automatically constitute parental kidnapping. True parental kidnapping generally involves a situation where one parent takes a child in violation of another parent’s established legal rights, particularly when court orders or significant custody restrictions are already in place. The legal system treats these situations differently from international child abduction cases, which involve questions about multiple countries and international agreements. What Is the Hague Convention on Intern...
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095: Understanding Family Law from the Seat of the Bench with Judge Robert Lung

In this episode of the Children First Family Law Podcast, Krista sits down with the Honorable Judge Robert Lung to explore the nuances of family law. With decades of experience as a district court judge in Colorado, Judge Lung offers invaluable perspectives on how parents can work together to shape their children’s futures. This episode emphasizes parental cooperation in making decisions about their children’s lives rather than relying on a judge who lacks personal insight into their circumstances. Judge Lung discusses critical issues such as human trafficking, childhood trauma, and resilience. Drawing from his extensive work with various professionals, including military, medical, and law enforcement communities, Judge Lung underscores his commitment to these pressing topics through his roles on significant councils addressing human trafficking. You’ll hear Judge Lung recount his path from law school in Ohio to his current position in Colorado. Krista and Judge Lung high...
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The Education Decisions That Can Make — or Break — a Child’s Future After Divorce

Why Education Planning Matters During Divorce When parents separate, the focus often lands on parenting time, child support, and the house. Educational needs quietly sit in the background, yet they can shape a child’s long-term future more than almost any other decision. For children with learning, behavioral, medical, or emotional challenges, school is often where stress shows up first. Ignoring education during divorce can leave a child without the structure and support they need to cope.   IEPs vs 504 Plans: What Is the Difference   A 504 plan comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. It gives a student access through accommodations, such as extra time on tests, preferential seating, or permission to take movement breaks.   An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is governed by the IDEA. It goes further. An IEP can change how a child is taught, track measurable goals, provide specialized instruction, and add related services such as school-based counseling. In simple t...
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094: Can You Kidnap Your Own Child? The Hague Convention, International Custody Battles & the Saeed Abedini Case

A parent taking a child on vacation is one thing. Crossing international borders without the other parent’s agreement is something else entirely. We explore where that line is drawn, why parental kidnapping is often misunderstood, and how the Hague Convention handles custody disputes that span multiple countries. Family law attorney Devon Rood Slovensky explains when parents are free to travel with their children, when legal restrictions begin, and why many situations people fear are “kidnapping” do not meet that standard. We also examine the Hague Convention through the high-profile Saeed Abedini case, where a young child was taken from Turkey to the United States, leading to a complex international legal fight. Devon shares how courts determine a child’s habitual residence, why acting quickly matters, and how delays can affect the outcome of a case. Along the way, we discuss the role of federal courts, the challenges families face when different countries are...
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093: What Every Parent (and Family Lawyer) Should Know About IEPs and 504 Plans

In this conversation, Krista sits down with special education attorney and expert witness LaTanya Moore, author of IEPs Made Easy: A Parent’s Guide to Special Education Advocacy. We unpack how education decisions during and after divorce can profoundly shape a child’s future. Krista and LaTanya explain why IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and 504 plans are not just “school paperwork,” but critical tools that can either support or undermine a child’s ability to learn and thrive — especially when parents are in conflict. They clarify the legal framework behind IDEA and Section 504, what each plan actually does, and how to tell when a child needs more than simple classroom accommodations. Listeners will learn practical questions every parent and family lawyer should ask about a child’s educational needs, why early intervention matters, and how to reframe “labels” as access to support — not a life sentence. Above all, Krista and LaTanya urge parents and professionals to treat ed...
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092: Top Reasons Parents Lose Custody in Colorado — And How to Protect Your Parenting Time

In this episode of the Children First Family Law®️ podcast, Krista breaks down the leading reasons parents lose custody or experience restrictions on parenting time in Colorado. Drawing on her work as a child advocate and family law attorney, Krista explains how judges evaluate safety, stability, mental health, and co-parenting behaviors when deciding on parental responsibilities. She also reminds listeners that “losing custody” in Colorado rarely means a permanent loss of parental rights. Instead, it typically reflects temporary limits tied to a child’s best interests. Krista walks through the three most common categories that lead courts to restrict parenting time—safety concerns, parental unfitness or instability, and damaging co-parenting behavior. She illustrates each category with case patterns she has seen repeatedly in child advocacy work, including emotional abuse, unmanaged mental health issues, and behavior that undermines the child’s relationship with the other par...
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091: Coercive Control, Accountability & Custody — A Deep Dive with Nil Buckley

In this episode of the Children First Family Law®️ podcast, Krista welcomes Nil Buckley, a licensed professional counselor, licensed addiction counselor, and domestic violence clinical supervisor whose expertise bridges trauma-informed mental health, forensic evaluation, and family law. Nil is the founder of Vivas Counseling and Care Forensic Solutions and creator of The CARE Method, an evidence-based program now used in multiple states to support both survivors and offenders. Her background includes extensive work with the Colorado Department of Corrections, court-ordered treatment programs, and expert testimony in criminal and domestic relations cases. Drawing from this deep professional experience, Nil joins Krista to explore how coercive control and its related forms, including legal abuse, financial manipulation, and psychological coercion, show up in custody cases and family court. She explains that there are now 24 recognized forms of abuse in the global research literat...
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