DON'T PICK THE SCAB PODCAST

Judges HATE This: How One Dad Mastered Family Court Without a Lawyer - Ben Schooley || DPTSP #162

34min | 10/24/2026

Description

What happens when a dad can't afford an attorney — so he becomes his own? 💪⚖️

Ben Schooley never wanted a law degree. But when his second marriage imploded after the birth of his third child, false allegations started flying, and attorneys wanted a $10,000 retainer he didn't have — he had no choice but to learn family law from the inside out. 📚🔥

Four years. Dozens of hearings. Countless motions. And one judge who refused to follow the law... who is now PLAYING GOLF instead of sitting on the bench, because Ben made every one of his rulings public. 🏌️‍♂️👋

Today, Ben is the CEO and founder of the Pro Se Coach, helping men over 40 fight for their parental rights WITHOUT going bankrupt or losing their minds. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on a system most dads don't understand until it's too late. 🎭

🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:

▶️ What "pro se" actually means — and why family law is "kindergarten" compared to what attorneys want you to believe 🧠

▶️ The shocking Title IV funding scheme: how states earn $11 for every $1 of child support ordered (and why that kills 50/50 custody laws) 💰

▶️ Why 92% of Texas divorce cases end with mom as primary custodian — is it bias or something worse? 📊

▶️ The "best interest of the child" standard that has NO legal definition (yes, really) 🤯

▶️ What to do in the first 48 hours after false allegations hit ⏰

▶️ Why dads lose BEFORE they ever walk into the courtroom — and how to stop it 🛑

▶️ The mistake of settling out of exhaustion that costs fathers YEARS with their kids 😞

▶️ Why 50/50 custody actually REDUCES conflict with a high-conflict ex 🧘

▶️ The attorney who told Ben he'd lose after 15 minutes of consultation... he fired him and won 50/50 with zero child support 🏆

Ben's message to every dad out there: Your kids love you. They need you. You're not just a paycheck, and you're not a weekend visitor. 💙

Don't roll over. Don't accept "every other weekend" as your fate. And whatever you do — don't pick the scab. 🎙️

📍 CONNECT WITH BEN: 🌐 Website: www.prosecoachtx.com 📖 Book: Available on Amazon — everything he knows, step by step 🎓 Pro Se University: Long-form video courses on enforcements, modifications, divorce & more 📱 New app launching this week on iPhone & Android!

📍 CONNECT WITH DAVID: 🎙️ Don't Pick the Scab Podcast — new episodes weekly for men healing from divorce 💬 Topics: healing, forgiveness, co-parenting, confidence, and starting your next chapter

👇 SOUND OFF IN THE COMMENTS: Have you fought (or thought about fighting) for custody WITHOUT an attorney? What's the biggest family court myth you've heard? Drop it below! 🔥⬇️

👍 SMASH that like button if this episode opened your eyes 🔔 SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode 📲 SHARE this with a dad who needs to hear it

REACH OUT TO BEN!

#DivorceRecovery #FathersRights #CustodyBattle #ProSe #FamilyCourt #MensMentalHealth #DivorceSupport #CoParenting #DadsMatter #DontPickTheScab

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About DON'T PICK THE SCAB PODCAST

Success, Divorce, and Reinvention—You’re Not Alone.

Divorce can shake even the most accomplished men to their core, no matter their age or status. The end of a marriage is often an emotionally and mentally taxing experience, especially for successful men who are accustomed to thriving in other areas of life. That’s why the "Don't Pick the Scab Podcast" is here: a safe, open platform where successful men recovering from divorce can share their stories, find support, and gain practical tools for rebuilding.

Success doesn’t make divorce any easier. When you’re used to winning, starting over—emotionally, financially, and socially—can feel like uncharted territory. The challenges of re-establishing your identity and navigating new roles after a significant breakup are real, but you don’t have to face them alone.

Each episode dives into authentic conversations with men who have walked this path—from entrepreneurs and executives, to leaders in their fields. We explore the unique hurdles successful men encounter during divorce, from managing public perception and careers to processing the deeply personal emotions of grief, regret, anger, and hope. Alongside expert guests, we offer practical advice and proven strategies for healing and growth.

This podcast is about more than just surviving divorce—it’s about thriving in your next chapter. Through shared experiences and actionable insights, "Don't Pick the Scab Podcast" aims to help you rediscover meaning, rebuild confidence, and create a life filled with new possibilities.

Join us each week as we walk the road to recovery, together. Let’s break the stigma, embrace vulnerability, and support one another on the journey to a brighter, more successful future after divorce.