This is your go-to Podcast, where we help parents navigate the complexities of family life. Hosted by Ali Kessler of Greyson’s Choice, we’ll cover everything from understanding domestic violence to navigating the legal system, finding the right therapists, life hacks, family law, mental health, custody battles, and how to protect children in dangerous situations.

In this compelling episode of 'Grey Minds Think Alike,' we speak with Courtney Gilmartin, a protective mother who spent nearly a decade fighting post-separation abuse and high-conflict custody battles. As the founder of Monarch Consulting Group and the New Jersey Protective Moms, Courtney shares her deeply personal journey through the family court system. She discusses the emotional and financial toll, the tactics of coercive control used by abusive ex-partners, and how she empowers other protective parents through her trauma-informed coaching. Learn about her innovative strategies and tools for navigating custody disputes, and get inspired by her fierce advocacy for victims of domestic abuse in custody cases. Courtney also offers valuable tips on documenting evidence and staying resilient through the challenging process.

About Courtney Gilmartin

Courtney Gilmartin is a protective mother of two whose mission was forged by nearly a decade of personal experience with post-separation abuse and protracted custody battles. Through her firm, Monarch Consulting Group, she works as a Family Court Strategist, applying her unique skill set as a project manager to the complexities of family court.

In addition to her consulting, she is the founder of the non-profit New Jersey Protective Moms. As a certified Trauma-Informed Coach trained by Dr. Christine Cocchiola, Courtney offers a unique synthesis of lived experience and professional expertise, dedicating herself to helping other mothers feel educated, empowered, and effective.

About Ali Kessler: Ali Kessler is a writer, marketing professional, passionate parent advocate, and founder of Greyson’s Choice, a 501(c)(3) created to raise awareness about the risk of domestic abuse on children. Greyson’s Choice was founded by Ali Kessler in memory of her sweet, vibrant, and fearless 4.5-year-old son, Greyson, who was murdered by his biological father in a murder-suicide during an unsupervised, court-approved visit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 2021. This came just hours after her petition for a domestic violence injunction was denied by a Broward County judge, citing that the “petitioner has failed to allege any overt acts by the respondent which would constitute domestic violence under Florida Statute.”

Ali’s advocacy efforts culminated in successfully passing Greyson’s Law during the 2023 legislative session. This bill now requires the court to consider threats against ex-partners or spouses when making child visitation and custody determinations in the court, expanding to include the following factors: evidence of domestic violence, whether a parent in the past or currently has reasonable cause to believe that they or a minor child is, or has been in imminent danger of becoming the victim of domestic/sexual violence by the other parent, even if no other legal action has been brought or is currently pending in court.

Contact Ali:

Email

LinkedIn

Website