If you are in a custody dispute or think you may be headed there, you will ?nd this book invaluable. Chapters 1 through 3 explain the basics: what custody really means and how it is determined, as well as when and how custody and visitation can be changed. In discussing the various custody factors, this book will give you tips about what speci?c kinds of information the court will be looking for, what facts can help or hurt your case, and how to present evidence in your case in support of each custody factor. Chapter 5 discusses alternatives to litigation and why resolving your case outside of the courtroom, with the help of a mediator or collaborative team, may produce a better result for your family than anything a judge could rule. Chapter 6 of this book is your courtroom survival guide. This chapter will tell you what every woman wishes her attorney would take the time to tell her in detail about court, including tips that can make or break your case. You will learn what to wear, what to expect, when to stand, and when to speak. You will learn the format of a custody trial and why you are always rushing to the courthouse and then having to wait. In addition, you will learn what to do and what not to do in order to survive cross-examination. In Chapter 7, you will learn valuable (and money-saving) suggestions for working with your attorney. You will also learn important considerations for working with a guardian ad litem and other professionals involved in your case. For women who choose to represent themselves (or are forced to do so because of ?nances), Chapter 8 will give you the basics for acting as your own attorney. You will learn how to come to court prepared to present your evidence like an attorney and how to tell your story in an organized and persuasive manner. Chapter 9 will distill the information in this book to the short list - the 10 most important things to remember in your custody and visitation case.

Answer all your pressing divorce questions with The Divorce Survival Guide. Facing a divorce can be overwhelming, as you confront complex questions about everything from finances to child custody to your emotional well-being. The Divorce Survival Guide walks you through every step of the divorce process with straightforward tips, techniques, and checklists. It outlines your legal, parental, and financial rights, and details common scenarios that may arise in the legal proceedings so that you can make informed and thoughtful decisions. Most important, The Divorce Survival Guide helps you through the complex emotional work of divorce, with tips on handling stress, and techniques for protecting and communicating with your children. The Divorce Survival Guide will be your practical guide to the divorce process, with: An easy-to-follow guide to the initial divorce steps, including how to understand divorce laws and your legal rights Information on protecting your finances, such as how to divide your property fairly, protect your credit, and uncover hidden assets A helpful quiz to find out whether you should get an attorney, from the editors of The Divorce Survival Guide Essential information for understanding custody, child support, and how to give your child emotional security Practical techniques for reducing stress, understanding the emotional stages of divorce, and dealing with mutual relationships With The Divorce Survival Guide: The Roadmap for Everything from Divorce Finance to Child Custody, you'll have the invaluable tools you need to make the best financial, practical, and emotional choices throughout your divorce.

You never wanted to be in this position, but you are. Now, faced with the prospect of a custody dispute, you need to make smart choices. Winning Custody can help. this book-written by a woman who is an experienced psychotherapist, a mom, and a veteran of a bitter custody dispute-will help you find your way, maintain your sanity, and keep your kids from being caught in the custody cross fire. Winning Custody is geared specifically toward women seeking custody of their children. It offers advice on how to navigate the complicated legal maze of the custody process, giving step-by-step guidance on: -How to find a good-and affordable-lawyer -What to wear in court (it's more important than you might think) -How to effectively communicate with you ex -How to parent your child firmly, lovingly, and consistently throughout the crisis period -How to defuse your fears of losing your children -And how to love and believe in yourself during this most difficult time

Updated and revised with seven new chapters, a new introduction, and a new resources section, this landmark book is invaluable for women facing a custody battle. It was the first to break the myth that mothers receive preferential treatment over fathers in custody disputes. Although mothers generally retain custody when fathers choose not to fight for it, fathers who seek custody often win—not because the mother is unfit or the father has been the primary caregiver but because, as Phyllis Chesler argues, women are held to a much higher standard of parenting. Incorporating findings from years of research, hundreds of interviews, and international surveys about child-custody arrangements, Chesler argues for new guidelines to resolve custody disputes and to prevent the continued oppression of mothers in custody situations. This book provides a philosophical and psychological perspective as well as practical advice from one of the country’s leading matrimonial lawyers. Both an indictment of a discriminatory system and a call to action over motherhood under siege, Mothers on Trial is essential reading for anyone concerned either personally or professionally with custody rights and the well-being of the children involved.

Divorce is hard enough even in the best of circumstances. But what if your spouse is trying to turn the kids against you? What if your ex is hauling you into court over every little thing? What if you're being falsely accused of child abuse or domestic violence? Worst of all, what if you've been cut off from your children entirely? High-conflict divorce is just about the most devastating, soul-wrecking experience imaginable. The unrelenting chaos and pain can leave you exhausted and despairing. Legal fees can become a huge strain. And most importantly, there's the impact on your children, who may be grappling with anxiety, struggling at school, acting out, or turning to substances to cope. How can you keep it all together? In The High-Conflict Co-parenting Wellness Planner, high-conflict divorce experts Megan Hunter and Andrea LaRochelle offer hope and a wealth of advice. The healthier you are as a parent, the better you'll be able to help your children. Week by week, the authors guide you in taking care of yourself while navigating conflict. You'll learn practical strategies for handling the most common co-parenting scenarios. And you'll discover new ways to manage your own anger, worry, fear, stress, and grief. As hard as it may be to believe right now, it is possible to move beyond the conflict. You can overcome the alienation, regain your balance, and ultimately find freedom - from the overwhelming feelings, from the drama, and from your ex's hold on your life. This book shows you how.