Family court is stressful enough for parents when they understand what is happening. When they do not, anxiety can take over. Confused, frightened, and overwhelmed parents are more likely to become reactive, mistrustful, defensive, and positional — and their children often feel the spillover. Our Guest Speaker, Benjamin D. Garber, Ph.D., will introduce participants to the concept of advance orientation and the work behind DEFUSEdivorce.com, a resource designed to help parents better understand the legal process, parenting plan evaluations, custody-related services, and the professional roles they may encounter in family court. The central idea is simple but powerful: when parents understand what is coming, why it matters, who does what, and how to participate effectively, anxiety decreases and the process can become more efficient, more satisfying, and more child-focused. This presentation will explore how advance orientation can help parents move from fear and confusion toward informed participation. Dr. Garber will discuss how family law and court-involved mental health professionals can use orientation, structure, clear expectations, and accessible explanations to reduce conflict, improve cooperation with services, and support better outcomes for children. Participants will consider how parents can be prepared for parenting plan evaluations, interviews, home visits, collateral contacts, parent-child observations, therapeutic services, co-parenting interventions, and other court-connected processes without increasing defensiveness or fueling litigation strategy. This presentation is especially relevant for professionals who routinely ask parents to participate in difficult, unfamiliar, and emotionally loaded processes. Dr. Garber will invite us to think about what we assume parents already understand — and what might change if we explained the process earlier, more clearly, and with the child’s best interests at the center.