Customer Reviews

The Child Custody Book: How to Protect Your Children and Win Your Case (Rebuilding Books)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am very familiar with the courts in Santa Clara County (CA), having myself been caught up in a nasty custody battle (and other attendant battles) for 18 years.

I am also familiar with the work of Judge Stewart, (having sat in on many of his sessions) and the work of Terry Johnston (personal experience). Below is my opinion garnered by my own personal, and extensive, experience in the very court system the two authors have 'served'.

I am not impressed. Let me put it this way, I retained sole custody of my daughter IN SPITE OF Ms. Johnston (who was directly involved in my case), her special Masters Program and other agenda's that are at work in this County Court system.

Fortunately for me, I had a good judge who was able to see past the prejudicial treatment of my case. Not so fortunate for others. I had some excellent representation for about one year of my on going battles, for the other 17 I largely represented myself, so trust me, I understand what goes on. Single mom, low income, victim of domestic violence (25 police documented incidents), vs. ex police officer husband, (remarried with 8 kids and enough money to hire many lawyers). If Dr. Johnston had had her way, my daughter would have eventually wound up in the custody of my violent ex. I fought against some of the best attorneys in the county, and I prevailed.

You can too. Read the book, but if something doesn't quite feel right, follow that intuition. If you need to know more, check out the National Coalition for Justice. They have some very good information re: The Authors of this book. I never joined this organization, so I have no particular agenda re: their organization, therefore I can objectively reccommend this as a good and reliable source.


Karen

Most people are put-off and confused by anything to do with legal procedure and process. I certainly am. That there is a judge lawyer out there who can untangle things for the legal novice is a surprise to me. Written by an experienced California judge, with contributions from a licensed psychologist and custody evaluator, this book (in the series Rebuilding Books for divorce and beyond) places emphasis on the emotional component to the issues surrounding child custody. The do's and don'ts at the end of each chapter will help you figure out what you need to do. The glossary is most helpful - it explained legal words to me in language that I could understand. The book does not shy away from tricky topics like child abuse and false molestation or how to select a lawyer. Even though the authors are California-based, they're aware of legal trends nationwide, so you'll find this book useful if you live in the United States. If you or someone you know is faced with the difficult decisions involved in working out a child custody agreement, I'd recommend this book.

This book does not fully, or clearly, and or concisely explain. It simply explains the process of court child custody litigation. It very simplisticly shows how custody decisions are made. It doesn't really explain what can be expected.

These guys don't personally understand why there is so much anger and pain and suggest we should easily move on.

This book is self-serving for attorneys, evaluators, family psychologists, and marriage and family therapists.

If you are buying everything, go ahead and buy this one.

As a psychologist who has read a number of child custody books, I find this one by James W. Stewart to be one of the best. Not only is it extremely helpful to me with the family court work in which I am involved, but I feel as though I have finally found a book I can recommend to my clients to read as well. The feedback I have received from the clients has been very positive, not only because of the content, but because of the clear, concise manner in which it is written.

This book is a good and accurate work exhibiting family law and the court system, but the bad news is the state of family law and the court system, especially if you live in California. Some of the pages in this book will shock the average citizen, but sadly, it is, in fact, the law of the land, and this book tells that story fairly well, all be it a very sad story. Gentlemen, read this, and weep.

Whether you and your child(ren)'s other parent are going through an amicable or contested custody battle, this is a must read. The book is concise, and literally from the horse's mouth -Judge Stewart. Helps you understand what your judge is looking for in his/her decision to award custody.

To say that my ex-husband was nasty and wealthier than I, is putting it mildly. This was an acrid combination until the book pointed out my strengths and thus managed to turn the tide in my favor. By stressing on a single point that I picked up in one of the chapters, I managed to get full custody of my child. Heaven knows what hell we'd (my child and I) be going through otherwise?!!

Thank you! Judge Stewart.

This book was written by an experienced California judge, with contributions from a licensed psychologist and custody evaluator, is an excellent resource for anyone who is trying to work out a child custody agreement. At the end of each chapter, there is a `do and don't' list which could be extremely helpful. Excellent advice, especially if read before you file.

The judge has done it again. We recommended his previous book to Child Psychiatrists through the Acad. of Child and Adol.Psychiatry and this one is even more helpful. While he points out how to deal with many aspects and many players in this tragic matter he leaves us with the firm knowledge that only the attorneys have a chance to deal effectively with the Judge. But there is much to be done by the parent to allow the attorney to obtain the most efficacious out come. Those who don't read this book and are in anyway involved with custody neglect themselves at their own peril.

Judge Stewart views our concerns about our children and our future as a phase we must push past to expedite the legal process. This book was written by habitant of the Ivory Tower. So much of what happens to us is not worth his consideration. Every mediator, attorney and judge should have to go through a rough child custody case to make them eligible to serve the legal system. I think Judge James W. Stewart protects the law better than he protects children's access to both parents. This book is fine it is just nothing special.

You can find some help-full suggestions in this self-serving book by a California judge, with contributions from a custody evaluator. But, you will have to look hard for something new and there are much better books listed on Amazon.