Child Custody Made Simple: Understanding the Laws of Child Custody and Child Support [Paperback]

Webster Watnik (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2003

"Child Custody Made Simple" is a thorough, comprehensive guide to the laws of child custody and child support throughout the United States.

This is the second edition. The first edition won two books awards—the Benjamin Franklin Award (parenting) and the Writers Digest National Competition (nonfiction). The second edition has been completely revised and updated, and the author has added more than 150 pages of new material.

"Child Custody Made Simple" explains child custody and child support law in detail. An extensive appendix also covers the laws in every state. Watnik supports the description of the law with summaries of more than 100 actual cases, including such well-known cases such as O.J. Simpson, Woody Allen and Mia Farrow, Barry Bonds, and Elian Gonzalez.

"Child Custody Made Simple" covers the complete range of issues. The book includes chapters on mediation, negotiating a parenting plan, and creating a custody schedule. And because it is common for a parent to go to court without a lawyer, the book also contains extensive chapters on researching the law, writing and serving court documents, and arguing in court. "Child Custody Made Simple" even includes detailed resources of the best divorce, child custody, and child support websites.

The author has more than ten years experience in family court, and has written a clear, comprehensive guide to this highly emotional subject.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An excellent starting point. Each chapter [contains] both basic information and detailed examples that walk you through the custody process. -- David L. Levy, President, Children’s Rights Council

Child Custody Made Simple offers a detailed chronology of what happens during a divorce plus state-by-state guidelines. I recommend it. -- Andrea Engber, National Organization of Single Mothers

One of the best books on custody. The author presents a huge amount of information with accuracy, clarity, and simplicity. -- Family Law Advisor, The Divorce, Alimony, and Custody Reporter

One of the best guides about child custody matters that I have seen. -- Joseph A. McMillen, Attorney, National Congress for Fathers and Children

Watnik understands the complex interactions and negotiations that drive child custody. An excellent book. -- Margorie L. Engel, Author, The Divorce Decisions Workbook

From the Author

I wrote "Child Custody Made Simple" after spending many years in family court. I was not in family court by choice, but because I believe both parents have a right to raise their children, I was forced to defend my legal rights to raise my son.

During the never-ending litigation, I learned an enormous amount about civil lawsuits and child custody litigation. I then added to my knowledge by researching child custody and child support laws across the United States.

I don’t "take sides" in my book. I wrote the book in a gender-neutral style, and I asked my editor (a woman) to eliminate any hint of bias she found. However, there are gender bias problems in family court, and I do discuss them.

This fully revised second edition is now almost six hundred pages long. That may seem like a big book, but in my research, I could easily have produced a book almost 1,000 pages long.

Even with all this information, I still believe that separated or divorced parents should stay out of court and work out an agreement. However, that’s not always possible, and if you have to go to court, this book can help you.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 583 pages
• Publisher: Single Parent Press; 2 Revised edition (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964940434
• ISBN-13: 978-0964940437
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,204,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent place to begin ..., February 16, 2005

By 

John Carr (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Child Custody Made Simple: Understanding the Laws of Child Custody and Child Support (Paperback)

This book offers a good overview of child custody and support and provides many references, both in-print and on the web, for further, more detailed information. It will not be the only book you need, but you will find that it is a great introduction that gives you the necessary information to get started. I would recommend it to all interested in this subject.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nice but not enough information, May 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Child Custody Made Simple: Understanding the Laws of Child Custody and Child Support (Paperback)

This book gives the impression that you can get through this quickly and easily. Not so. Too little information on such an important subject.