We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alan Donovan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alan below.

Alan , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 2015 I found myself in the mists of a custody battle to be a part of my sons life. I hired a lawyer and went to court only to find out that in the family court fathers have little to no rights. I fired my lawyer taught myself family law and went on represent myself twice in family court ultimately winning full custody of my son. When people found out that I was teaching myself family law they thought I was absolutely crazy and there was no way I could take on a licensed lawyer and actually win. Everyone thought for sure I was going to lose not only my court case but my rights to be in my sons life. I’ve since passed what i learned on down to other fathers who are in the same situation I was once in. I’ve worked with thousands of fathers around the world over the last almost decade of advocacy.

This is a very long and involved story that I couldn’t possibly fully convey in a written format. Id love to sit down and talk to you about it.,

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Society often assumes that mothers should naturally be granted custody of their children after
a divorce. However, thousands of fathers, not only in this country but across the globe, are
suffering from such gender-based discrimination. For many years, Alan Donovan and
FathersLivesMatter™ have been standing behind fathers who are fighting for their children’s
right to have their father in their lives. Alan has helped fathers not only nationwide but also
globally and has no plans of stopping anytime soon.
Alan Donovan, the founder and CEO, offers hands-on guidance and support for those who need
his help, which often more than naught entails emotional support while fathers are fighting
their battles. Additionally, Alan is also the creator/host of the podcast called The Fathers
Truth™, where he interviews fathers from around the world about their experiences with the
family court system. The Fathers Truth™ is also Alan’s separate coaching business, where he
and his team of professionals work exclusively with fathers.
FathersLivesMatter™ began its venture on Instagram, the platform that he chose to give a voice
to fathers and propelled his career as an advocate. Alan continues using Instagram as the
primary platform for The Fathers Truth™ podcast as well as Fatherslivesmatter™.
“My goal is to assist fathers in standing up for their rights to be a father to their child by
providing emotional and mental support during and after a custody dispute,” said Alan
Donovan. “I want to help change the family laws nationwide to ensure that fathers are given
equal custody from the onset of custody disputes, as well as making sure that fathers are
treated equally and fairly in the eyes of the law,” he added.
Alan Donovan has been in the fathers’ rights scene for many years. He is known as a
ten-percenter, which means out of all the fathers who represent themselves, only 10% walk
away winning full custody. Alan spent several months buried in family law books giving him an
advantage. Lastly, he has worked with thousands of exceptional fathers worldwide through his
journey.
Like many of his clients, Alan Donovan knows how important it is to advocate for fathers’ rights
because he has been through the “nightmare of being alienated” from his own son. “When I
talk to these fathers, I know exactly what they are feeling and what they are experiencing,” said
the founder. Alan focuses on providing unwavering emotional support, knowing how fathers
often get no support and tend not to ask because of gender stereotypes.
“I went through the family court system by myself with no support, and I also represented
myself winning my fight. I wanted to create something where I could give back to these fathers
who were in the position that I had been once in—having no support, no one who believed in
them. I wanted to be that bridge for these fathers and their children,” Alan shared.
As an activist, Alan Donovan aims to be the voice for fathers fighting for their children who have
been buried in the shadows of custody disputes. He wants FathersLivesMatter™ to be an
instrument to give fathers and their children the family they deserve. There are not manysupport systems for fathers in existence today, and Alan is at the forefront of the fathers’ rights
movement.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Helping others along their journey.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I went from someone who had zero law experience to teaching myself family law in two different states. Representing myself twice in family court winning both times and ultimately winning full custody of my son.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instgram.com/fatherslivesmatter