A Father’s Introduction from the Front Lines
By Michael R. Phillips | REBUILT | Father & Co.
I didn’t buy a ticket to this circus. I was dragged in—kicking, gaslit, and court-ordered.
What began as a divorce spiraled into a theater of lies. Then came the protective orders, the false allegations, the supervised visitations, the courtroom silence when I begged to see my son. I’ve lived inside the family court system for over four years. And if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been through some version of this sideshow too.
So let me say it clearly:
This system is not broken.
It was built like this.
Profitable. Punishing. And perfectly content to turn parents into performers and children into collateral.
The Clown Show of “Justice”
They call it “the best interests of the child.” But in practice? That phrase is a curtain. Behind it?
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Secret hearings.
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No jury.
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No constitutional rights.
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“Recommendations” from people you’ve never met.
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A “guardian” who never called me.
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Judges who nod, stamp, and say, “Not today, Dad.”
You learn quickly that evidence doesn’t matter when the outcome is already scripted.
That honesty is a liability.
And that if you have a disability, if you’re male, if you’re pro se, if you’re poor—
the only thing the system hands you is a gag order and a bill.
My Role? The Defendant. The “Dad.” The One Who Must Be Dangerous.
No criminal record. No abuse. No neglect.
But I have ADHD.
And I questioned authority.
And I asked to be heard.
That was enough.
I’ve been silenced, sanctioned, humiliated, and erased. I’ve watched my son grow up through third-party reports, blurry photos, and weeks where I wasn’t even allowed a “hello.”
And still… I kept going. I wrote. I fought. I filed. I stayed human. I refused to disappear.
Because that’s what they want you to do.
Why I’m Here Now
I’m not writing for sympathy. I’m writing for truth.
Because somewhere out there:
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A father is pacing in a hotel room, terrified his son thinks he walked away.
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A mother is being punished for escaping abuse and daring to ask the court to believe her.
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A disabled parent is begging for accommodations, only to be ignored.
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And a child is being taught that love is conditional. That justice is a joke. That one parent simply vanished.
I’m here to say:
No.
We’re still here.
We’re rebuilding.
And we are NOT the problem.
What I’ll Be Writing
In this space, I’ll bring:
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Satire and fire: Because when the truth is this absurd, you either laugh or break.
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Exposés and essays: From family court incentives to parental alienation tactics.
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Templates and tools: For the pro se parents and the silenced survivors who’ve had to become their own lawyers.
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Stories and scars: Real, raw, unfiltered accounts of what family court actually is.
If This Feels Familiar…
Then you’ve found your people.
You’re not alone in this madness.
And this isn’t the end of your story.
I’m not here for revenge. I’m here to rebuild—and torch the tent while I do it.
Let’s light it up.
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Michael R. Phillips
Creator of REBUILT • Advocate • Writer • Father
🗞️ Subscribe for more: fatherandco.substack.com
🛠️ Get tools: rebuiltstudio.gumroad.com
🐦 Twitter/X: @mrthunderbeats
