Mitigating Conflict in Custody Cases with Accessible Alcohol Monitoring Solutions

Chris, a white man with brown hair and brown glasses, wears a light blue shirt and dark grey jacket. By Chris Beck

Family law cases involving alcohol abuse present some of the most challenging issues courts and attorneys face. Allegations of misuse often lead to contested custody battles, heightened conflict, and concerns about child safety. For parents in recovery, proving sobriety consistently can be the difference between restricted visitation and meaningful parenting time.

"A woman with dark hair and glasses is wearing a blue blouse. She holds a phone, and a notification appears that says, "A compliant test was received."

In this context, reliable alcohol monitoring tools have become increasingly important. Courts are turning to technology that provides objective, court-admissible data, allowing judges to make decisions based on facts rather than speculation.

Why Accessibility Matters in Custody Cases

Although technology has advanced, cost has remained a barrier for many families. Traditional alcohol monitoring systems require device purchases that can be difficult for a parent already navigating a costly divorce or custody litigation to absorb. These financial hurdles can limit access to tools that might otherwise protect children, reduce conflict, and rebuild trust.

Recognizing this gap, Soberlink has introduced two new initiatives designed to make alcohol monitoring more accessible:

  1. Device Rentals — Parents can now rent a device for as low as $19 per month when they commit to a 365-day monitoring plan. This option eliminates the upfront cost of purchasing a device, making it easier for families to integrate monitoring into their custody arrangements.
  2. Family Assistance Program — Understanding that custody disputes often place significant financial strain on households, Soberlink has developed a program that provides financial relief to qualifying families. This initiative ensures that cost does not become a barrier to maintaining child safety and supporting indigent parents in recovery.

Balancing Parental Rights and Child Safety

Family law practitioners understand the delicate balance courts must strike between protecting children and preserving parental rights. Allegations of alcohol abuse can quickly escalate into high-conflict disputes, sometimes with little evidence beyond one party’s word against the other.

Alcohol monitoring offers a path forward. By using a system that verifies identity, documents test results in real-time and generate court-admissible reports. Attorneys can present judges with reliable data. This reduces the reliance on hearsay, limits opportunities for false accusations, and provides clarity in otherwise murky cases.

Reducing Conflict and Encouraging Resolution

Beyond the courtroom, alcohol monitoring often serves as a conflict-reduction tool between co-parents. When both parties know there is a neutral, technology-based system in place, the cycle of accusation and denial often diminishes. Parents can focus on their children’s needs rather than rehashing past grievances.

For attorneys, this shift can open the door to settlement rather than protracted litigation. The presence of reliable monitoring data provides reassurance to concerned parents while giving recovering parents the opportunity to demonstrate accountability.

Practical Application in North Carolina Family Law

North Carolina courts, like many others across the country, have broad discretion in fashioning custody and visitation orders. Incorporating alcohol monitoring into parenting plans allows judges to protect children without defaulting to supervised visitation or complete denial of access — both of which can be unnecessarily punitive if the parent is genuinely committed to recovery.

Programs such as Soberlink’s rental option and Family Assistance Program expand access to these alternatives. Attorneys representing either side of a custody dispute can leverage these tools to craft creative, balanced solutions that protect children and preserve relationships.

Looking Ahead

As family law continues to evolve, technology will play an increasing role in bridging the gap between parental rights and child safety. By addressing affordability and accessibility, trusted alcohol monitoring programs like Soberlink’s ensure that reliable alcohol monitoring is no longer limited to those with financial means.

For practitioners in North Carolina, this development represents a meaningful opportunity: to advocate for solutions that are not only legally sound but also practical, compassionate and responsive to the realities families face during custody disputes.

This post has been sponsored by Soberlink. 

Chris Beck serves as the Vice President of Business Development, Family Law, at Soberlink. 

/by