Fathers' and Children's Equality, Inc.
FACE
Who We Are
Fathers' and Children's Equality, Inc. (FACE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all volunteer, educational organization and support and self-help group for noncustodial parents and their families. We are not lawyers. We educate the public regarding our areas of interest pertaining to families. We educate our members as to their rights and responsibilities as parents, help them effectively represent themselves in court, and show them how to manage their own cases, regardless of whether or not they choose to use a lawyer.
Our areas of interest and expertise are:
- Services for male victims of domestic violence
Although the name of the organization is Fathers' and Children's Equality, membership is not limited to men. FACE offers its services to all non-custodial parents and their loved ones regardless of gender. Approximately 20% to 25% of our members and supporters are women, including not only non-custodial mothers, but also grandmothers, second wives, girlfriends, daughters and all the others effected by separation from extended family members. More than half of the initial inquiries we receive come from women.
Laws, court rules, court procedures and court customs are different from state to state. FACE is based in New Jersey. Our legal expertise is primarily in family court in New Jersey and, to a lesser degree, a few other nearby states. Although FACE welcomes all new members, we strongly suggest that you find and join and participate in a similar support group in the state that has jurisdiction in your case. If no such group exists in your state, we will welcome you to join FACE, and we will also recommend that you join one of the national noncustodial parents' rights groups. If you can't find such a group, contact FACE for referrals.
The best way to learn about FACE is to attend some of our meetings, and meet and network with some of our members and other contacts. Send your full name, full address including zip code, and phone number to info@facenj.org , and we'll add you to our emailing list. Please also tell us how you learned of FACE.
Who we are NOT
As you surf the web, you may find other websites that promise to solve all your family court problems. They say just send some money (usually a few hundred dollars or more) and they will send you a packet of documents containing winning strategies, or papers you can file to "restore your rights," or (for some more money) access to them as "legal consultants." Some will offer their services as "paralegals" and say they will write and file your papers, or maybe even present your case to the court for you.
An envelope-full of photocopies of magazine articles and webpages from a stranger far away is not a solution. It is a SCAM, often by an "organization" of only one person, who would take advantage of others in their moments of desperation or helplessness. The state of New Jersey law does not recognize or authorize "paralegals" (except in certain circumstances, working for and under the direction of a licensed attorney). A non-lawyer who accepts money to prepare legal papers or represent you in New Jersey is guilty of Unauthorized Practice of Law (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-22), a crime of the fourth degree, and is subject to fines, incarceration and/or civil damages.
THERE IS NO QUICK FIX; THERE IS NO MAGIC WAND. A satisfactory resolution to child custody and other family court issues takes education, proven winning strategies that have worked in your state, tenacity and vigilance. Deal only with legitimate support groups.
Family Law Reform PAC
Internal Revenue Service regulations limit small 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to spending not more than 20% of their annual budget on lobbying. The IRS defines "lobbying" as "attempting to influence legislation or influence the outcome of an election."
FACE is a grass-roots, all-volunteer organization and operates with a very small budget. Although much of the change FACE supports and promotes involves family-friendly legislators being elected, family-friendly laws being enacted and some existing laws being changed, to protect and preserve our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, FACE does no lobbying.
Some FACE members, acting individually as private citizens, may elect to exercise their First Amendment Right to Freedom of Expression by petitioning the government for redress of grievances, or supporting or opposing certain pieces of pending legislation, or supporting or opposing the election campaigns of certain candidates for political office. If they do this, such activity is completely independent of and unrelated to their membership in FACE.
In the mid-1990s another New Jersey parents' and children's rights support group formed an independent political action committee (PAC) under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code. This PAC has evolved into the Family Law Reform Political Action Committee (FLR-PAC). Unlike a nonprofit organization, a PAC's purpose is to influence legislation and the outcomes of elections, and it is not tax-exempt. Membership is open to anyone who makes a modest annual non-tax-deductible donation to FLR-PAC. Individuals who would like to lobby or otherwise become politically active, but would be more comfortable working within a group, are encouraged to join FLR-PAC.
FLR-PAC meets at central-New Jersey locations. For meeting times and locations, or to volunteer for FLR-PAC activities, contact Ed Kilbourne at ekilbourne@facenj.org .
FACE IS A SELF-HELP GROUP. WE ARE NOT LAWYERS. WE DO NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. WE CAN NOT AND DO NOT REPRESENT ANYONE IN COURT. If you find a competent, capable lawyer who fully understands your and your children's rights, who is willing and able to tenaciously fight to secure those rights, who completely understands the facts in your case, and who you can afford to pay, you should hire that lawyer and seek that lawyer's advice. If you cannot find or afford to pay such a lawyer, we urge you to seek all available resources to aid yourself in securing these rights.
This page last updated 6/25/2010.
