Federal Appeal Accepted — Case Now Open in the Eighth Circuit
- Ryan Alvar
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has now accepted and docketed my federal appeal.
The case is officially open, assigned a case number, and a briefing schedule has been issued. This means the court will now review whether federal courts have a duty to protect parents and children when state systems violate constitutional rights.
This is not procedural housekeeping.
This is the moment a federal appellate court agrees to hear the constitutional questions raised in this case.
What the Eighth Circuit will now decide
At its core, this appeal asks:
Whether a parent has a constitutional right to protect their child, speak publicly about government failures, present evidence of harm, and challenge unlawful state action — without being silenced, punished, retaliated against, or deprived of their children by a system operating without meaningful oversight.
And further:
Whether federal courts must step in to protect parents and children when state systems fail to follow due process, ignore mental health concerns, suppress evidence, or allow abuse to continue unchecked.
These questions are now before a federal appellate court.
Why this matters beyond my case
The Eighth Circuit’s decisions apply to seven states:
• Minnesota
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Iowa
• Nebraska
• Missouri
• Arkansas
If the court rules in favor of parental constitutional protections here, it will create binding precedent across all seven states.
And federal appellate precedent doesn’t stop there.
When one circuit recognizes a constitutional protection, other federal circuits often follow, and those rulings can eventually shape national standards — or be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
This is how real reform happens.
What this means for other parents
This appeal isn’t just about correcting what happened to my family.
It’s about creating a clear, lawful path for other parents when:
State courts fail to protect children
Mental health concerns are ignored
Evidence of harm is suppressed
Parents are punished for advocacy
Due process is bypassed
Silence is enforced through retaliation
If this appeal succeeds, parents in these seven states — and potentially nationwide — will have a roadmap to seek federal protection when state systems fail them.
That path does not currently exist.
This case aims to change that.
Read the full explanation
I’ve written a detailed breakdown of what this appeal challenges, why it matters, and how it could impact parents across the country:
I’m also sharing the actual appellate docketing and briefing documents so people can see that this case is real, active, and moving forward.
CASE 0:25-cv-02792-KMM-LIB Doc. 94 Filed 12/11/25
CASE 0:25-cv-02792-KMM-LIB Doc. 95 Filed 12/11/25
This fight continues — now at the federal appellate level.
🔁 Join the Fight for Reform
I have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit challenging systemic misconduct by judges, attorneys, and state agencies that has stripped parents of their rights and traumatized countless children.
With 27 defendants, including the State of Minnesota, this case seeks accountability — and reform.
Join me in taking this mission national.
How You Can Help:
✅ Sign the Petition: Urge DOJ to investigate family-court violations
✅ Subscribe: Stay updated — Contact
✅ Visit: www.ryanalvar.com
✅ Support the Fight: GoFundMe – Help Cover Legal Costs & Reform Efforts
✅ Follow & Share: Real Dad Initiative
✅ Contact Your Legislators: Demand oversight for Judges, GALs and transparency in family court.
Family-court reform won’t happen unless lawmakers hear directly from the people.
If what you’ve read here troubles you, don’t stop at signing the petition—call and email your state legislators. Tell them that what has happened in this case—and in so many others—proves we need oversight for judges and guardians ad litem, uniform due-process protections, and full transparency in family courts.
📬 Not sure who represents you? Find out here → 🔗 https://www.gis.lcc.mn.gov/iMaps/districts/
Across the country, I’ve heard from parents who’ve lost everything—some haven’t seen their children in years. When the system designed to protect families becomes the weapon that destroys them, it’s time for change. We must fix this broken family court system. Until that day, I’ll keep fighting—for our children, for truth, and for justice.
"528 days since my children were kidnapped. This isn't over."
Ryan William Alvar
Parent and Plaintiff
