“No woman can safely walk into any family court in the country and not face a grave risk of losing custody to the abuser because she dared present evidence to a judge.”
—Richard Ducote
Meet Richard Ducote
Ducote is a renowned expert and ardent critic of the family court system, the inappropriate delegation of authority to guardians ad litem and incompetent mental-health evaluators, and discredited theories like Parental Alienation Syndrome in custody cases. Read more →
A Renowned Expert
A Passionate Advocate
Attorney Richard Ducote is a fierce advocate and law reformer for women and children whose lives have been shattered by domestic violence and child sexual abuse.
An early co-drafter of @KaydensLaw, he was honored in 2025 by the nonprofit Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) group for demonstrating unwavering commitment, compassion, and support for survivors.
At the International Summit on Violence Abuse and Trauma (IVAT), he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 47 years of service as an attorney who advocates nationally for women and children who have been abused.
“While these awards are blessings and are very much appreciated, having the opportunity to make lasting improvements to our legal system on behalf of the most vulnerable, and to know the very many kids and families and see them blossom into happy and safe adults are the greatest rewards, 47 years and over three million miles,” Ducote says. “I’m just getting started.”
Our Mission
We advocate for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, especially in cases where courts have granted custody of children to child molesters and domestic violence perpetrators.
“I use every available legal remedy to insist that family courts comply with all procedural, substantive, and constitutional mandates. My firm is dedicated to the full accountability of abusive parents and their professional enablers.”–Richard Ducote
Rely On Our Expertise
The seasoned family court lawyer is not typically a litigator, except to the extent necessary to attempt to uncover hidden cash for property settlements, alimony or child support. Richard Ducote understands the complicated dynamics of a family court system that routinely fails the women and children it was designed to protect. He is a renowned expert in family courts and the inappropriate delegation of authority to guardians ad litem and other incompetent mental-health evaluators who rely on discredited theories like Parental Alienation Syndrome.
Divorce Cases Involving Child Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence
Divorce Cases Involving Child Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence
Mothers are significantly more likely to lose custody when a child alleges they were abused by their father.
Child Custody and Domestic Violence Appeals
Custody and Domestic Violence Appeals
We use every legal remedy to insist family courts operate as courts of law that comply with all procedural, substantive and constitutional advocates.
Domestic Violence and Abuse Tort Cases
Domestic Violence and Abuse Tort Cases
Yes, you can sue your abuser. It’s just like suing anyone else who inflicted harm or emotional abuse on a family.
Problematic Child Custody Evaluators
Problematic Child Custody Evaluators and Mental Health Professionals
The nonviolent parent is always at a disadvantage. Emotional behavior that seems reasonable as a protection from abuse will be twisted by psychological evaluators.
Guardian ad litems
Guardian ad litems
Guardians ad litem compromise and confound what should be an orderly fact-finding judicial process.
Prosecuted for Protecting Themselves
Prosecuted for Protecting Themselves
Family courts often remove children from protective parents and place them with alleged abusers. When fathers contest custody, they win 70 percent of the time.
Family Court Due Process Violations
Family Court Due Process Violations
The first step in protecting abused women and children in family court is controlling the process by which their fate will be determined.
Parental Alienation Syndrome
Parental Alienation Syndrome
The handiest aspect of molesting children and beating women is that these crimes come with their own defense — the vindictive woman made it up.
Welcome to Family Court
It is well-documented that family courts don’t handle domestic violence and child abuse well.
They believe these are vindictive women who don’t want their kids to have a relationship with the father. In many cases, judges place children with their abusers simply because their mothers sought protection for them.
Criminal courts, with the heavy burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, will convict people for crimes of abuse on the same evidence that family court judges deem as no evidence at all.
Read more…
Critical Choices
The first step in protecting abused women and children in the family court system is controlling the process by which their fate will be determined.
It’s essential that early decisions and strategies are correctly thought out. It’s much more difficult to undo a negative custody outcome than it is to protect one.
Richard Ducote will use every available legal remedy and insist that family courts operate as courts of law which comply with all procedural, substantive and constitutional mandates.