(At least with your lawyer.)

AI is very useful but…

The allure of AI is undeniable. I present to lawyers—locally and nationally—about the expanding role AI will play in the legal profession.

But when something feels “too good to be true,” it usually is.

And while we’re still in the early days of the AI boom, we already know many of the pitfalls. Here’s one you may not be considering:

Using AI in your communications with your lawyer may be costing you more money than you think.

The pattern we’re seeing

More and more, clients are communicating with us through AI.

We can usually tell right away: the traditional font, the bolded subject headers, the tidy bullet points—and the tone. And in these emails (the length of which tends to be unmanageable), clients use AI to “explain” the law to us.

The problem is: these AI platforms always (and we do mean, always) steer clients in the wrong direction.

Most of the time, the “law” cited is just plain wrong.

For example, I asked ChatGPT to list the custody factors in Pennsylvania. It missed them.

Not most of them—all of them.

It created new custody factors, ignored the real factors, and tried to tell me I was wrong.

Why AI gets it wrong (even when it sounds right)

AI tools (including ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and many others) do not know the law.

That’s a dangerous combination in a legal case where every move has a consequence.

The hidden cost: you pay for the cleanup

Attorneys spend three years in law school learning the law—but, more importantly, learning how to analyze it, synthesize it, and use their education and skills to represent you. They spend the rest of their careers sharpening those skills, building relationships, and learning how to navigate the legal system.

There is so much more to the practice of law than just the words in the Rules. The practice of law involves understanding the courts and our clients—and knowing how to strategize and plan to our clients’ advantage.

The documents AI drafts are nearly always wrong: they cite imaginary or incorrect rules, and they summarize the law incorrectly.

When this happens, we must spend hours:

AI isn’t saving you time. It’s creating more work—and more costs—for you.

A better way to use AI (without letting it misdirect you)

We understand why clients turn to AI.

Legal jargon is confusing. The process can feel mysterious and frustrating. Continuing to find ways to conserve costs and better understand the legal process is commendable.

However, relying on AI as “truth”—or using it to guide your attorney’s strategy—is not advisable.

The costs are high:

If you’re using AI, tell your lawyer

Be open with your lawyer about your use of AI.

We already know you’re using it.

Help us understand what you’ve read and what concerns you—so we can better help you.

Talk to us so we can enhance how we represent you, using our experience, our education, and the relationships we have built with other lawyers, the court—and with you.

Human and robotic hands shaking above the words "Stopping AI" to illustrate why AI legal advice should not replace advice from an experienced Pennsylvania family law attorney.

Passports, Custody, and International Travel: Helpful Tools for Parents

At the Law Offices of Jennifer J. Riley, we understand that custody disputes can cause sleepness nights and endless worry -especially when international travel is involved. If you are concerned about your child’s passport, the possibility of an abduction to another country, or your child’s other parent traveling abroad with your child without your consent, you certainly not alone.

At the Law Offices of Jennifer J. Riley, we offer free consultations and experienced legal support for families facing these challenges.

Passports Matter in Custody Disputes

It’s important to agree on which parent holds the child’s passport or to establish secure storage if trust is an issue. This helps prevent unauthorized international travel, especially if no Custody Order is in place.

Here are some useful links to help you find a solution and reduce the worry.

The Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP)

The U.S. Department of State offers a valuable tool for parents: the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP). Enrolling in CPIAP allows you to receive alerts if a U.S. passport application is submitted for your child, or if a passport is issued. This program is especially important for parents who:

Are involved in custody disputes;
Fear that the other parent might attempt to take their child abroad without permission ;
Want to be proactive in preventing potential abduction.

You can enroll here: CPIAP webpage.

You’ll need to send your request to the Office of Children’s Issues. Both parents can access information about their child’s passport unless a court has ended one parent’s rights. Until your child is 18 years of age, you will continue to receive updates.

Can I Revoke My Child’s Passport?

Once a passport is issued, it cannot be canceled simply because one parent changes his or her mind or withdraws consent. If you believe your consent was fraudulently obtained, contact the State Department at PreventAbduction1@state.gov or call 1-888-407-4747 for guidance. We also recommend that you consult counsel immediately – there are ways you can seek the assistance of the Court in securing the passport, preventing unauthorized travel, and protecting your children.

Dual Nationality and Foreign Passports

It’s important to know that your child may be eligible for citizenship—and a passport—from another country, especially if one parent is a foreign national. Enrolling in CPIAP will not prevent your child from obtaining or traveling with a foreign passport. If you have concerns about a foreign passport, contact the embassy or consulate of that country for more information or assistance – and call your lawyer without delay. These matters can be addressed with the Court to find a workable solution for both parents – in the best interests of your children.

Empowered Advocacy for Your Family

Navigating custody and international travel concerns can be stressful. Our team at the Law Offices of Jennifer J. Riley is here to provide compassionate, devoted, and empowered advocacy—helping you protect your children and your rights every step of the way.

If you have questions about custody, passports, or preventing international abduction, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation. We’re here to help you find find a solution for your family.

What’s This Every Other Weekend Thing Even All About? A Song About Separated Parents from the Perspective of the Child. – By Tyler E. Kaestner, Esq.

By Tyler E. Kaestner, Esq.

Country music singer Luke Combs’ new song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” delivers a rare perspective. Written from the point of view of a child, the song describes the emotions and desires of coming to terms with his parent’s separation, and that his Dad is no longer living with him and his Mom.

The song begins by the Child recalling how he caught a foul ball at a baseball game, had it autographed by a player, and cherished it. He then shifts to talking about having to play ball with himself, and calling his dad to tell him he misses him, before asking if his Dad will take him out to the ballgame. The Chorus and second verse leave all pretenses behind – asking “what’s this every other weekend thing even all about?” – representing a common partial custody schedule that this Child is seemingly experiencing with his dad.

The Child in the song goes on to say that his Mom says she still loves his Dad, and in some way always will, and blames himself for his parents not being together: “I’m so sorry I was bad, I promise I’ll be better.” At the end of the second verse, the Child negotiates with his Dad: “cause I just wanna see you, and if you’ll come back, you don’t have to… take me out to the ballgame.”

The Child in this song clearly does not understand the adult complications in his parent’s relationship, he does not understand why his dad can not just pick him up from the house at any time, and ultimately, he just wants to be a kid and go see a baseball game.

Certainly, there are plenty of valid reasons and circumstances as to why the Child can not see his Dad regularly, and why the Child should not know about adult topics. However, what his song reveals is the innocence, confusion, and insecurity of a Child dealing with his world turning upside down. Sometimes, that perspective is lost in the middle of custody litigation.

While a lawyer’s duty is to advocate for his client, first and foremost, courts must consider the best interests of the child in determining a custody schedule. A family lawyer can help connect these interests, to ensure that the parent he represents, and the child, have a strong, loving relationship – which may be best served by allowing the other parent to come by for an extra visit if it helps the child transition to a new normal.

This is such an impactful song that I think every parent going through a custody dispute should listen to. It might just make your Child’s whole week if they could go to that ballgame with their other parent.

Fault or No-Fault: What does it matter? – An explanation of your divorce options in Pennsylvania

If you are thinking about a divorce and Google “Divorce in Pennsylvania”, you will likely find an endless amount of information, which can be overwhelming. By offering free consultations, we try to help make the process less mysterious. Read on here, and we will help clear up as much of the confusion as possible!

What does “fault” or “no-fault” mean? At one time, “fault” was a part of the divorce process. It is not very common now because Pennsylvania is a “no fault” state – meaning, you can be divorced for any reason of your choice.

To have a “fault based” divorce, you must give a reason, such as:

Your spouse has committed willful and malicious desertion for 1+ year;
Your spouse has endangered your life through cruel and barbarous treatment;
Your spouse entered into marriage with you while still married to another individual (bigamy);
Your spouse has been sentenced to prison for 2+ years;
Your life is intolerable and burdensome because of your spouse’s indignities;
Your spouse cheated on you and committed adultery.

The above 6 reasons/options might seem common but the reality is that these reasons are rarely, if hardly ever, used or followed in our local county courts. Instead, the most common divorce is the No-Fault Divorce” (even when fault is the reason why!)

Typically, making the decision to proceed under the No-Fault statute will result in a faster divorce process (which usually means less expensive!) This is because, under a no-fault divorce, you can obtain “grounds” (essentially, permission) to divorce after 90 days from the date of service of the divorce complaint, and/or after one (1) year of living separate and apart. The waiting period will depend on whether or not you and your spouse are both in agreement to get a divorce and move on, or whether one spouse wants to hold out and try to repair the relationship.

It is important to hire an attorney who is well versed in the applicable laws and available options in our local counties. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jennifer J. Riley are available to guide you through the initial stages of the divorce process in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware Counties. We help you protect what matters most.

Contact the Attorneys at the Law Offices of Jennifer J. Riley TODAY to schedule your free consultation.

Tag: Custody

Stop Using AI