Mental Health in Family Court: A Safeguard or a Weapon?

Mental health is increasingly weaponized in divorce and custody battles—often turning private struggles into legal liabilities. In this powerful conversation with family law attorney McKenna Zimmerman, we explore how diagnoses, therapy records, and even casual accusations can reshape family court outcomes. Zimmerman sheds light on the often misunderstood role of guardians ad litem and how their access to personal mental health information can dramatically influence custody decisions.

This episode dives into critical issues like domestic violence, the risks of submitting therapy records, and the pitfalls of court-ordered treatment. Most importantly, it reframes the narrative: mental health challenges don’t make someone an unfit parent—how those challenges are addressed does.