Update: Legal Appeal Launched in the Case of Taran Nolan

The Case of Taran Strong: The Mother at the Heart of Orange County’s Family Court Scandal

May 30, 2025

Tar, Ward and Mick Jaggar, The Dog. GoFundMe-Appeal for Taran: A Mother's Struggle for Justice. May 28, 2025.

Supporters of Taran Nolan, a quadriplegic mother at the center of a deeply troubling Orange County family court case, have launched a new GoFundMe campaign to help fund her legal appeal. The fundraiser, titled “Appeal for Taran: A Mother's Struggle for Justice”, was created by her father, Ward Cline, who has publicly advocated for his daughter’s safety and parental rights for over four years.

This latest development comes in the wake of a pair of devastating rulings by Judge Kimberly Carasso—first in April 2025, when the court denied Taran’s request for a domestic violence restraining order, then issued a five-year restraining order against her, and restricted her access to her children. Then, on May 27–28, the court escalated its attack: Taran was denied all visitation rights and ordered to pay tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.

Taran, who became quadriplegic after a 2020 accident, has been portrayed in court as the aggressor—unstable, manipulative, and dangerous. But dozens of witnesses, including caregivers, neighbors, medical professionals and close friends, have come forward to publicly refute those claims. Many have testified or submitted statements alleging that the court ignored years of documented abuse and neglect by her ex-husband, James Nolan, and instead retaliated against Taran and those who dared to support her.

“She was isolated, overmedicated, denied proper care, and emotionally abused,” said one former caregiver. “And when we tried to speak up, the court treated us like criminals.”

Documents obtained by this reporter support these allegations and raise urgent concerns about judicial misconduct, bias, and systemic failure in the Orange County family law system.

“We are launching this campaign not just for Taran, but for every mother silenced by a system that refuses to hear her voice,” said Ward Cline, the fundraiser’s organizer. “This is about justice, accountability, and ensuring her children are safe.”

Notice of Appeal for April 16, 2025 Order. Filed May 29, 2025.

The GoFundMe campaign aims to raise enough to cover the substantial legal costs of appealing Judge Carasso’s rulings. A typical family court appeal in California can easily cost between $100,000 and $200,000, especially when factoring in trial transcripts, appellate briefs, expert testimony, and extensive evidentiary records.

This case continues to draw national attention as one of the most glaring examples of judicial retaliation, abuse of power, financial devastation of protective parents, and systemic discrimination—all inflicted on a disabled mother who has consistently fought to protect her children. These very concerns—courtroom retaliation, denial of due process, suppression of abuse evidence, the weaponization of family court procedures, and appellate costs that are prohibitively high for most protective parents—are now at the center of a legislative investigation led by the Arizona Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Family Court Orders. The committee, now recognized as a national leader in confronting this growing crisis, held public hearings in April and May 2025, with the next hearing expected in June.

The Nolan v. Nolan next court date is in early June 2025.

Thank you... from Ward Cline. May 29, 2025.

A Message Tonight from Ward Cline:

**“Thank you—two words that just seem so insufficient for what happened in the last few hours. I knew Taran was dearly loved by many—she is a one-of-a-kind human being who has affected the lives of so many in a positive way. I don’t have words for the overwhelming kindness and outpouring of generosity, except to say you are all so kind, so caring, and I will be forever grateful.
Please continue to pray for Taran. My sincere thanks.”**

🟣 To donate or learn more:
👉 GoFundMe: Appeal for Taran – A Mother's Struggle for Justice

The time for action is now. Justice and protection for our children must not remain distant ideals—they must become lived realities.

This ongoing investigative series on the Orange County family court crisis seeks to bring national attention to systemic failures and advocate for urgent reform and accountability. Lawmakers, the media, and the public must come together to demand justice for families and protection for children.

Are you committed to protecting American children and restoring integrity to our legal system?

Contact your legislative representatives. Speak out. Reach out to media outlets. And vote.

Whistleblowers and victims of family court, CPS, probate court, or foster care corruption anywhere in the U.S.—please contact this reporter at juliea005@proton.me.

Together, we can ignite a national movement and create lasting change.

Julie M. Anderson-Holburn is a California-based investigative journalist reporting on family court corruption, judicial abuse, and systemic failures. Her work is published on NewsBreak, Substack, and The Family Court Circus, and has been featured by the Center for Judicial Excellence and National Safe Parents. Julie believes that exposing the truth is the first step toward meaningful reform.

This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Thank you.

Julie M. Anderson-Holburn

Update: Legal Appeal Launched in the Case of Taran Nolan

The Case of Taran Strong: The Mother at the Heart of Orange County’s Family Court Scandal

A Message Tonight from Ward Cline:

Related coverage from California and Arizona:

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