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Cases & Cocktails

Cases & Cocktails

By: The Eggleston Law Firm
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Cases & Cocktails is your go-to weekly podcast for raw, real, and revealing conversations about family law. Hosted by Bryan & Janice Eggleston of The Eggleston Law Firm, this video and audio podcast brings you expert insights, firsthand experiences, and the untold stories behind high-stakes family law cases.


From judges and attorneys to former clients and industry experts, Cases & Cocktails invites a diverse lineup of guests to break down complex legal battles, parental alienation, child custody disputes, and high-conflict divorces—all over a cocktail (or two).


Whether you’re facing a legal challenge, working in the legal field, or just fascinated by the drama and dynamics of family law, this podcast serves up valuable insights with a personal touch.


🎙️ New episodes drop every week! Tune in, pour yourself a drink, and join the conversation.

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Episodes
  • Can Witnessing Domestic Violence Affect Child Custody in Texas? - Ep 98

    Can Witnessing Domestic Violence Affect Child Custody in Texas? - Ep 98
    Oct 25 2026
    Children don't have to be physically abused to experience the effects of domestic violence. Sometimes, simply witnessing conflict, intimidation, or abuse between parents can have lasting consequences.In Episode 98 of Cases & Cocktails, Bryan and Janice Eggleston discuss how exposure to domestic violence can influence Texas child custody cases, why courts examine both parents' actions, and the importance of protecting children from harmful household environments.They also explore the role of therapy in high-conflict custody disputes and whether parents are addressing the underlying problems affecting their children.This Week's Cocktail: Apple Honey Bourbon SmashBefore diving into the discussion, Bryan and Janice enjoy a seasonal Apple Honey Bourbon Smash.Ingredients:BourbonLemon juiceAppleHoney syrupWith its fall-inspired flavors, the cocktail reminds the hosts of Thanksgiving and sets the stage for an important conversation about family violence and child custody.Children Don't Have to Be the Direct VictimsOne of the episode's central points is that children can be deeply affected by abuse even when they aren't physically harmed.Witnessing verbal, emotional, or physical abuse between parents can create fear, instability, and emotional distress.Bryan and Janice discuss how some children begin feeling responsible for protecting a parent or caring for younger siblings, a situation often described as parentification.These experiences can influence a child's emotional development, relationships, and understanding of acceptable behavior.In custody litigation, the question isn't simply whether a parent physically harmed a child. It's also whether the child's home environment is safe and emotionally healthy.What Did You Do to Protect Your Children?Bryan and Janice explain that one of the most important questions in family violence custody cases is:Where were the children, and what steps did you take to protect them?Courts may examine whether children witnessed abusive incidents and what protective measures were reasonably available.The hosts emphasize that the person committing the abuse is responsible. However, protecting children from continued exposure remains an important consideration in custody proceedings.They also discuss situations where parents document volatile interactions for court without fully considering how those incidents affect children who are present.Evidence may matter in litigation, but a child's safety should always take priority.How CPS Can Become InvolvedChildren often see and hear more than parents realize.When children discuss violence or troubling incidents with teachers, school counselors, or other adults, those disclosures can lead to reports to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.Bryan and Janice explain that investigators may examine whether a parent is taking appropriate steps to protect children from harmful circumstances.Even when a child hasn't been physically assaulted, exposure to serious household violence may raise concerns about their safety and well-being.Why Context Matters in Custody CourtVideo recordings, text messages, and other evidence can play significant roles in high-conflict custody cases.However, Bryan and Janice caution against examining isolated incidents without understanding the circumstances surrounding them.A recording may show one parent's behavior, but it may not reveal what happened before the camera started rolling.Courts must consider the broader circumstances while also recognizing that ongoing volatility can negatively affect children.The hosts stress that the most important question remains how the behavior affects the children and whether similar problems may continue after the parents separate.Individual Therapy vs. Family TherapyThe episode also explores a controversial question: Are children in high-conflict custody cases always receiving the right kind of therapy?Bryan argues that when a child's emotional struggles are closely connected to conflict between parents, addressing the parent-child relationships may be just as important as providing individual counseling.He expresses concern that therapy records can sometimes become tools in custody litigation rather than remaining focused on helping children.The hosts discuss family therapy as a potential way to address underlying relationship problems, improve communication, and help parents take responsibility for the environment they're creating.The appropriate approach depends on each child's circumstances and safety needs. Family therapy may be beneficial in some situations, while individual therapy remains important for others, particularly when abuse or trauma is involved.Protecting Children Comes FirstThe central message of Episode 98 is that children can be harmed by domestic violence even when they are never physically touched.Parents must recognize how their behavior, conflicts, and relationships affect the children watching and listening.For families navigating ...
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    30 mins
  • Lindsay Clancy Trial: Postpartum Mental Health, Custody & Family Law - Ep 97

    Lindsay Clancy Trial: Postpartum Mental Health, Custody & Family Law - Ep 97
    Oct 17 2026
    Can a high-profile criminal trial change how courts view mental health in child custody cases?In Episode 97 of Cases & Cocktails, Bryan and Janice Eggleston discuss the Lindsay Clancy case, the reported mistrial and hung jury, and the difficult questions surrounding postpartum mental health.Their conversation explores how mental health concerns can affect custody disputes, whether a diagnosis alone should influence parental rights, and why supporting struggling parents matters just as much as protecting children.This Week’s Cocktail: Pom PalomaBefore diving into the episode’s difficult subject matter, Bryan and Janice enjoy a refreshing Pom Paloma.Ingredients:TequilaLimeSquirt grapefruit sodaPomegranate juiceTajínThe drink receives positive reviews, with a slightly sweet, soda-forward flavor, before the conversation turns to the serious issues surrounding the case.The Lindsay Clancy Trial and Its AftermathBryan and Janice begin by discussing the Lindsay Clancy criminal proceedings, which they describe as ending in a mistrial following a hung jury.A central issue in their conversation is the defense's reported reliance on postpartum psychosis and other mental health concerns.The hosts acknowledge that they did not follow every day of the trial, but use the reported outcome to examine the challenges of presenting complex evidence to a jury.Bryan discusses how trial strategy, jury selection, and evidence presentation can influence outcomes. When a jury cannot reach a verdict, attorneys may need to reconsider how they communicate their case rather than simply repeating the same arguments.But the discussion raises a larger question: Could the public attention surrounding this case affect future custody disputes?Does Postpartum Depression Affect Child Custody?One of the episode's central concerns is whether a high-profile tragedy could lead parents to use postpartum depression diagnoses against one another in family court.Bryan and Janice distinguish between having a mental health diagnosis and presenting an actual risk to a child.A diagnosis alone does not automatically mean someone is an unfit parent.Family courts must consider the specific circumstances, including evidence of potential danger, a parent's ability to care for their children, and whether appropriate steps are being taken to address identified concerns.The hosts anticipate that some parents may attempt to reference the Clancy case when raising mental health allegations in custody proceedings.However, they emphasize that serious allegations require more than speculation or fear.Mental Health Shouldn't Become a WeaponDivorce and custody disputes can already be emotionally charged.Introducing allegations about a parent's mental health can make those situations even more complicated, particularly when the allegations are being used to gain an advantage rather than address a legitimate safety concern.Bryan and Janice discuss the importance of distinguishing between a parent who is experiencing mental health challenges and a situation involving credible evidence of danger.They also emphasize the importance of seeking treatment, communicating with healthcare professionals, and actively addressing a condition.The goal should be protecting children without automatically stigmatizing parents who seek help.Supporting Your Co-Parent Through Difficult TimesThe conversation eventually turns to a broader responsibility parents share, even after divorce.What happens when a former spouse experiences a major life change, such as having another child?Bryan suggests that healthy co-parenting can include checking in, offering support, and recognizing when the other parent may be struggling.That doesn't mean invading someone's privacy or assuming that a new pregnancy creates a mental health crisis.Instead, it means approaching the situation with genuine concern.A simple question like “How are you doing, and is there anything I can do to help?” can be more productive than immediately turning a concern into a custody dispute.Janice reinforces the importance of taking maternal healthcare seriously and ensuring parents receive appropriate support, not judgment.When Mental Health Becomes a Custody ConcernBryan and Janice acknowledge that there are situations where mental health issues may require court intervention.When credible evidence suggests that a parent presents a danger to themselves or their children, protective measures may be necessary.But that is different from assuming that every parent diagnosed with postpartum depression poses a threat.Courts must evaluate individual circumstances, evidence, and the children's safety rather than relying on assumptions created by a highly publicized case.For parents navigating difficult custody disputes, understanding that distinction is essential.Protecting Children While Supporting ParentsThe Lindsay Clancy case raises deeply emotional questions about mental health, parental responsibility, and the legal ...
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    34 mins
  • How to Be a Better Co-Parent: Communication, Self-Care & Letting Go - Ep 96

    How to Be a Better Co-Parent: Communication, Self-Care & Letting Go - Ep 96
    Oct 10 2026
    In Episode 96 of Cases & Cocktails, Bryan and Janice Eggleston answer a simple question with a complicated answer: What is the best advice for becoming a better co-parent?Their conversation comes down to communication, self-care, focusing on your children, and learning to let go of what you simply cannot control.This Week’s Cocktail: Blackberry MargaritaThis week, Bryan and Janice enjoy a refreshing Blackberry Margarita.Ingredients:Blackberry pureeLime juiceTequilaAgaveAfter giving the cocktail their approval—and debating whether it could make the list of their favorite drinks from the first 100 episodes—they turn their attention to the challenges of raising children across two households.Communication Comes FirstJanice’s first piece of advice is simple: communicate.Parents can’t control everything that happens in the other parent’s home, but they can communicate about what is happening with their children, their routines, and important changes in their lives.That doesn’t mean telling the other parent how to run their household. Instead, it can mean sharing what works in one home and discussing whether some consistency could make things easier for the children.Communication can also help when circumstances change. If a parent is preparing to introduce a serious new romantic partner, for example, giving the other parent a heads-up may help prevent the child from being caught off guard.It isn’t necessarily about asking permission. It’s about respect and keeping the focus on the child.Work on YourselfBryan’s advice takes a different approach: work on yourself.Divorce can leave behind anger, resentment, hurt, and unresolved emotions. Carrying those feelings into every interaction with a former spouse can turn co-parenting into another battleground.Taking care of yourself, working through those emotions, and accepting your new reality can help you become a better co-parent—and a better parent.That can be especially difficult after separation. Parents may have less free time, more responsibilities, and no other adult in the home to help pick up the slack.But taking care of yourself can ultimately help you be more present and emotionally available for your children.Stop Keeping ScoreSuccessful co-parenting also requires moving away from the idea that every interaction has to produce a winner and a loser.Who was late last time? Who changed the schedule? Who didn't communicate? Who started the argument?Keeping score can create an endless cycle of conflict.The romantic relationship may be over, but the parenting relationship continues. Decisions should no longer be about proving which parent is right. They should focus on what is best for the children.You Can Only Control YourselfOne of the hardest lessons in co-parenting is accepting that you cannot control the other parent.You can communicate respectfully. You can follow the custody order. You can show up on time. You can create stability in your own home.But you cannot force your former spouse to behave the way you want them to.Bryan and Janice point out that the behaviors that frustrated someone during a marriage often don’t magically disappear after a divorce.At some point, continuing to expect the other parent to suddenly meet your standards may only create more frustration.You have control over yourself.That’s where your energy can make a difference.Sometimes You Have to Let It GoPerhaps the biggest takeaway from Episode 96 is also the simplest:Let it go.There will be moments when your co-parent frustrates you. They may do things differently than you would. Sometimes you may even believe they are intentionally making the situation more difficult.But not every disagreement needs to become a battle.Bryan and Janice use custody exchanges as an example. A child can experience a calm handoff between two cordial parents—or be forced to walk between two adults yelling at one another.The exchange still happens either way.But the experience is dramatically different.Children shouldn’t have to carry the emotional weight of their parents’ conflict.Keep the Focus on Your ChildrenGood co-parenting doesn’t require former spouses to become best friends.It requires them to recognize that their relationship has changed, while their responsibility to their children has not.Communicate when you can.Take care of yourself.Stop keeping score.Focus on what you can control.And when something doesn’t require another fight, learn to let it go.As Bryan and Janice acknowledge, that advice is much easier to give than it is to follow. But when parents can shift the focus away from their former relationship and back toward their children, they create a healthier foundation for everyone involved.Listen to Episode 96 of Cases & Cocktails for Bryan and Janice’s full conversation about communication, self-care, managing conflict, custody exchanges, and becoming a better co-parent after divorce.
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    19 mins
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