What happens when you're accused of something you didn’t do—and the system treats you as guilty from the start?

In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Maryland attorney Todd Mohink to expose the often unseen legal traps that destroy families. Together, they pull back the curtain on the devastating impact of false allegations, weaponized protective orders, and the courts' dangerous overreliance on flawed mental health evaluations.

If you're navigating custody issues or just want to understand how these systems work, this episode will change how you see everything. You won’t leave this conversation the same.

In this episode, Susan and Todd Mohink discuss: 

• False allegations and how they escalate custody disputes

• Family law entanglement with criminal defense and Child Protective Services (CPS)

• Legal disadvantages of accused parents during ongoing investigations

• Emotional manipulation and parental alienation tactics

• The systemic flaws in therapy, reunification, and court-appointed experts

Key Takeaways:

• Protective Orders and Silence (17:16): If criminal charges are pending, accused parents often cannot testify in civil court, making final protective orders almost a guarantee.

• Therapists Without Oversight (28:23): Many therapists advising courts in custody cases are underqualified, have never met the other parent, and rely solely on biased narratives.

• Irreparable Parent-Child Damage (36:50): Long-term no-contact periods caused by legal delays often irreparably harm the parent-child relationship, even when allegations are false.

• Accusations Without Evidence (48:00): In sexual abuse allegations with no physical evidence, testimony alone often leads to loss of custody and reputational destruction, even without criminal charges.

“Child Protective Services is the most powerful administrative agency in this state—even more than the state's attorney or the police.”

- Todd Mohink

About Todd Mohink: Attorney Todd K. Mohink has more than 25 years of experience representing individuals and families in Maryland. He began gaining trial experience during law school when he was an intern with the Maryland Attorney General’s office and participated in the Civil Legal Clinic, a program that allowed law students to take part in trials. Today, Mr. Mohink is an accomplished attorney licensed in Maryland state and federal courts, and he has a published case in the Court of Special Appeals. He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Bar Association and the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys’ Association.

Connect with Todd Mohink:

Website: https://www.mohinklaw.com/

Phone: 410-766-0113

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-mohink-8a7b1116/

Connect with Susan: 

Website: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/

Podcast: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-chesnutt-27077bb9/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechesnuttlawfirm/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBwfp_IVpeX-YHKpxZ5L0g

Avvo: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32960-fl-susan-chesnutt-3330241.html