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Arizona just passed the biggest family law change in two decades. The Alec and Lydia Act reshapes how family court handles domestic violence, coercive control, and child custody, requiring judges to document specific findings before granting parenting time. Billie Tarascio sits down with Hope Hooton, the child safety advocate behind the law, to talk about what failed, what changed, and what it means for Arizona families facing abuse.

Hope Hooton is a child safety advocate, author, and podcast host, and the founder of The Alec and Lydia Act. In May 2024, her two children, Alec and Lydia, were murdered by their father during court-ordered parenting time, after a family court granted 50/50 unsupervised custody despite documented lethality risk markers. She turned that loss into landmark legislation now making Arizona one of a small number of states to recognize coercive control in custody decisions.

What you will learn:

- How Arizona family court granted unsupervised custody despite an order of protection

- Why judges are now required to write specific findings in temporary orders

- What coercive control is and why it qualifies as a lethality risk

- How domestic violence against a partner signals danger to children

- The lethality indicators that family courts often overlook

- Why Arizona leads the country in family court filicide cases

- How the Alec and Lydia Act differs from Cadence Law

- What changed in the legislation after concerns about false allegations

- Why mental health did not make it into the final bill

- How child safety first laws are reducing harm in other states

- What this law means for victims afraid to leave abusive relationships

Chapters:

 00:00 Introduction to Hope Hooton and Legislative Changes

 03:07 Hope's Personal Experience with Family Court

 05:50 The Impact of Court Decisions on Children

 08:39 The Tragic Outcome and Legislative Response

 11:05 Creating the Alec and Lydia Act

 13:54 Differences Between Alec and Lydia Act and Cadence Law

 16:39 Challenges and Cultural Shifts in Family Court

 19:33 Lethality Risks and Child Safety

 22:13 Future Legislative Goals and Community Support

Connect with Hope Hooton:

Email: [email protected]

Socials: Hope In The Pain

Podcast: Voices Against Filicide

Book: There's Still Hope: A Journey of Adversity, Tragedy, and Unshakable Faith (available on Amazon in ebook, softcover, and Audible)

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Gilbert, Arizona has a reputation problem, and residents know it. From skyrocketing water bills to transparency failures to the lingering shadow of the Gilbert Goons scandal, trust between the town council and the people it represents has broken down. This July, Gilbert voters have a chance to change that, and one candidate is making accountability the centerpiece of her campaign.

Beth Goulden is a lifelong Gilbert resident and Arizona native who spent 25 years in public safety, building her career at the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department supervising serious sex offense cases and eventually managing thousands of cases across the East Valley. After retiring, she founded BHG Consulting Group and went on to co-spearhead one of the most significant criminal justice bills in recent Arizona history, bringing the state's first Sex Offender Management Board into existence. She now chairs that board and is running for Gilbert Town Council this July.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why Beth says Gilbert feels heavy right now, and what she believes is driving the disconnect between residents and their elected officials
• How the Gilbert Goons scandal exposed a pattern of elected officials dismissing legitimate public concern rather than owning their decisions
• Why she is challenging three incumbent council members who she believes are part of what broke Gilbert's culture of transparency
• What a ballooning town budget with infrastructure gaps says about misplaced priorities at the council level
• Why Gilbert residents who show up angry at council meetings are not the problem and how simply being heard could change the dynamic
• How the Colorado River crisis and rising water costs land directly on local government, and what a town council can actually do about it
• Why Gilbert's image has shifted from a source of pride to a punchline, and what restoring it would take
• How independents in Arizona must request a partisan ballot to participate in the July 21st primary, including Gilbert Town Council races
• Why younger people and working parents are structurally locked out of local office, and what that costs communities over time
• What red flags residents should watch for when council members appear to act as victims of their own votes
• How to get involved, request a yard sign, or host a meet-and-greet with Beth before the July election

Connect with Beth Goulden: 

Website: bethgoulden.com 

Instagram: @bethgouldenforgilbert | @bethgoulden

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The SRP election caught most Arizonans completely off guard, and then it became one of the most-watched utility board races in state history. What started as a sleepy, low-turnout local election turned into a four-times-higher-than-normal turnout event the moment Turning Point USA put its logo on candidate signs, and the fallout is still rippling through Arizona energy policy, water politics, and the 2026 election cycle.

Chuck Coughlin is the CEO and President of HighGround Inc., Arizona's longest continuously operating public affairs firm. A five-time winner of Arizona's Best Political Operative award from the Arizona Capital Times, Chuck has run gubernatorial and congressional campaigns, worked alongside Senator John McCain, and has been a strategist and lobbyist for clients including the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County, and the Salt River Project itself. If anyone can break down what actually happened and what it means, it is him.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why most Arizonans had never heard of an SRP election before this year, and why that changed overnight
• How SRP's voting structure works, including the acreage-based system that traces back to 1903 federal law
• Why SRP territory residents have essentially no water insecurity, and how electricity revenue subsidizes that water supply
• What actually separated the two slates, including the real policy debate over natural gas as a peak-power resource
• How Turning Point's logo on candidate signs triggered a partisan wave in a nonpartisan election and produced historic turnout
• Why the new board majority could create friction with SRP management and what that means for rate stability
• How Arizona utilities are expected to double their generating capacity in the next decade to meet data center demand
• Why SRP, APS, and Tucson Electric are all requiring data centers to sign base-load contracts so ratepayers are not on the hook
• The key structural difference between SRP as a not-for-profit federal franchise and APS as a for-profit investor-owned utility regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission
• What Attorney General Kris Mayes taking on APS over rate increases could mean for Arizona consumers
• What the Project Blue data center fight in Tucson reveals about how communities can push back and win
• Why Chuck believes open primaries are the only structural fix for a political system he sees as built to oppose rather than govern

Connect with Chuck Coughlin:

Email: [email protected] 

Facebook: facebook.com/AZHighGround 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/azhighground 

Instagram: instagram.com/azhighground

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Arizona families navigating divorce or custody disputes often face an issue no one talks about: what happens when a spouse, parent, or loved one is in a mental health crisis and refusing treatment. Under Arizona Title 36, there is a legal process that allows family members to petition for a court-ordered mental health evaluation, and in some cases, court-ordered treatment. Knowing how this process works, when it applies, and how it intersects with family law can be critical for parents trying to protect their children.

Modern Law attorney Emily Palomino brings a perspective most family law attorneys do not have. Before joining Modern Law, Emily served as a mental health defense attorney in Arizona, representing patients who had been detained under Title 36 petitions at facilities including Palo Verde and Banner South. She worked inside the court-ordered evaluation and treatment system every day, and she knows exactly how it works from both sides.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Meet Emily Palomino

00:49 Emily's Path from Disney World to Law School

03:43 What Is a Mental Health Defense Attorney in Arizona

05:27 How to File a Title 36 Petition for a Loved One

06:34 The Ex Parte Nature of the Evaluation Process

08:19 Medical Privacy and What the Petitioner Gets Access To

09:50 When Title 36 Gets Weaponized in Family Court

11:07 The Right to Legal Representation in Mental Health Cases

18:39 When Court-Ordered Treatment Actually Works

19:51 Title 36 and Minors: What Age Does This Apply

20:46 Recommended Arizona Treatment Centers

21:36 Substance Abuse and the Mental Health System

22:35 What Happens If You Violate Court-Ordered Treatment

23:24 Emily Joins Modern Law: What She Is Looking Forward To

If you or someone you love is facing a mental health crisis that is affecting a family law case in Arizona, the attorneys at Modern Law can help you understand your options. Call 480-649-2905 or visit mymodernlaw.com to schedule a consultation with our team.

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If you are a solo or small firm attorney trying to figure out where AI fits in your practice, this episode of LawLabs (a special series from the Modern Arizona Podcast) is your starting point. Carolyn Elefant breaks down exactly how to begin with AI tools, why most lawyers are evaluating them in the wrong order, and what the real risks look like when AI gets citations wrong. She also shares an honest prediction of where the profession is headed and why firms that are not adopting now will find themselves in a very difficult position within the year.

Carolyn Elefant is the founder of the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant and the creator of MyShingle.com, the longest-running blog dedicated to solo and small firm practice. A Cornell grad who started her firm in 1993, she has spent over two decades consulting, writing, and advocating for independent lawyers and is currently traveling the country speaking to attorneys about AI and its real-world impact on their practices.

Topics discussed:

• Where lawyers should actually start with AI tools and what to avoid first
• Why you need to learn general AI tools before legal-specific ones
• How to protect yourself from hallucinated and mischaracterized case citations
• What the legal profession looks like in one year and in five
• Why firms that are not using AI are running out of time to catch up

Find Carolyn: MyShingle.com

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In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Lisa Sander, nurse, life coach, and podcast host, to talk about what really happens when a marriage ends in midlife. Lisa shares her own story of leaving a 23-year marriage, how her faith carried her through, and why divorce doesn't have to mean failure. From gender dynamics and loneliness to downsizing and finding yourself again after 50, this conversation is honest, warm, and packed with hard-won perspective.

Lisa Sander is a Registered Nurse of 26 years and the CEO of Our Healer, Our Protector LLC, where she coaches women between 40 and 55 who feel stuck and are ready to figure out what comes next. Alongside her partner Ryan, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, she co-hosts Our Healer, Our Protector, a Christian podcast on divorce and healthy relationships. Lisa is based in Minnesota and works with clients nationwide. 

What we cover in this episode:

• How faith and divorce can coexist and why God's forgiveness matters more than the stigma
• The midlife dip in happiness and why so many people reassess their marriages between 40 and 55
• What it really means when one partner grows and the other doesn't
• Why women are taking on the masculine role in relationships and burning out because of it
• The loneliness epidemic and how to actually build community after divorce
• Enabling patterns in marriage and how to break them early
• Why your five love languages probably change every few years
• How downsizing your life can open up more freedom than you expected
• Finding miracles in everyday moments and why that mindset shift changes everything

Connect with Lisa:

You can book a free 30-minute session at LisaSander.com. and check out https://ourhealerourprotector.com/ for help today! 

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If you or someone you know is facing divorce and has ties to both Arizona and Washington, this episode could be one of the most important conversations you watch. Our host Billie Tarascio and Seattle-based family law attorney Michelle Dellino sit down to break down the critical legal differences between divorcing in Arizona versus Washington, including how property is divided, how spousal maintenance is calculated, how custody is handled, and why the state you choose to file in could dramatically change your financial future.

Michelle Dellino is the founder and owner of Dellino Family Law Group, a 16-attorney firm based in Seattle, Washington. Since starting her practice in 2013 as a solo attorney, Michelle has grown one of the most respected family law firms in the Pacific Northwest, serving clients across all of Washington State. Known for her approachable and strategic style, Michelle handles everything from high-conflict litigation to complex financial divorces involving tech industry compensation, restricted stock units, and long-term marriages.

In this episode, we cover:

➡ Why "community property" means something very different in Arizona vs. Washington

➡ How business ownership is treated in divorce in both states

➡ Spousal maintenance: Washington's flexible approach vs. Arizona's new calculator

➡ How the date of separation can make or break your case in Washington

➡ Child support table changes in Washington and what it means for high earners

➡ Custody trends is 50/50 the default in both states?

➡ How children's voices are (and aren't) heard in custody decisions

➡ Guardian ad litems, parenting evaluators, and custody evaluation differences

➡ How hard it is to modify a parenting plan in each state

➡ The growing "anti-family court corruption" movement and what attorneys really think

Learn more about Michelle Dellino and Dellino Family Law Group:

https://dellinolaw.com/

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Immigration attorney and law firm founder Hillary Walsh joins Billie Tarascio for a candid conversation about what it's really like to run an immigration law firm in today's turbulent legal and political climate. From filing habeas petitions to protect unlawfully detained clients, to navigating due process violations and a surge in demand for legal services, Hillary shares how her practice has evolved, and how she's adapting to protect both her clients and her team.

They also dig into the business side of running a growing firm: the hard decisions around hiring and letting people go, bringing on a CFO, building custom software from scratch, and finding an operations leader who can handle 1,000+ filings a month. Plus, Hillary opens up about supporting remote employees in Mexico during a crisis, dealing with racist online harassment, and why she's investing in a life coach after years of business-only coaching.

Whether you're an immigration attorney, a law firm owner, or just someone trying to understand what's happening at the intersection of law and politics right now, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

• Immigration law strategy under the current administration
• Habeas petitions and unlawful detention cases
• Hiring, firing, and leveling up your team
• Building law firm operations and custom software
• Supporting a remote team during a crisis
• Business coaches that actually helped and how to choose one

Connect with Hillary:

Website: https://newfrontier.us/

Phone: 623-742-5400

Email: [email protected] 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newfrontierimmigrationlaw 

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newfrontier_immigration

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In this episode of Law Labs, Billie Tarascio sits down with Jessica Travis, Co-Owner and Managing Partner of Fighter Law in Orlando, Florida. They talk about how modern law firms can move beyond billable hours, use AI tools the right way, and build strong internal systems that support real growth.

Law Labs is a podcast for law firm owners and legal professionals who want to build smarter firms. Each episode focuses on systems, technology, billing models, marketing, and practical strategies that help firms grow in a sustainable way.

Jessica Travis is the Managing Partner and Co-Owner of Fighter Law, based in Florida. She leads a growing firm that practices Family Law, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, and Estate Planning. Jessica is passionate about building strong SOPs, improving client service, and integrating technology into daily operations. From experimenting with flat fee billing in family law to implementing an AI receptionist and improving data tracking through Clio, she focuses on practical innovation that supports both clients and her team.

In this episode, you will learn:

👉 How to design a flexible flat fee model for family law

👉 Why the billable hour model is becoming harder to justify

👉 How AI receptionists can improve intake and reduce missed opportunities

👉 How to track leads, consultations, and revenue weekly

👉 How to train and supervise young attorneys using systems

👉 How to approach AI without chasing every new tool

Connect with Jessica Travis:

Fighter Law: https://fighterlaw.com

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In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, Law Labs Edition, Billie Tarascio sits down with Bob Simon. They talk about what it means to run a national law firm, build legal tech companies, and step into civil rights advocacy during a time of major legal and political tension.

Bob Simon is an entrepreneur, trial lawyer, and co-founder of multiple companies, including a national personal injury firm and the legal tech platform Attorney Share. He is also actively involved in civil rights litigation, including cases involving ICE detentions, unlawful stops, and police misconduct. His firm handles personal injury and civil rights matters across the country, and he has been involved in litigation related to wildfire recovery and large-scale corporate accountability. Bob is also a father of three and speaks openly about balancing family, trauma-heavy legal work, and public advocacy.

In this episode, you will learn:

👉 How lawyers can organize and support civil rights cases even if they do not practice immigration law

👉 What illegal detentions look like inside the courtroom

👉 How referral networks can help solo and small firms take action

👉 How Attorney Share connects 5,500+ lawyers nationwide

👉 How technology and AI can automate intake and case routing

👉 Why some civil rights cases may never pay but still matter

👉 How large corporations fight liability and what trial lawyers can do about it

To learn more about Bob and his team, you can visit the sites below. 
https://community.justicehq.com/ 
thesimonlawgroup.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesimonlawgroup/ 

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