Should You Really Seek Custody Of Your Child? [Paperback]

Dr. Arline S. Kerman (Author, Editor, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 21, 2000

This book outlines steps that parents may want to use when they determine whether they should seek primary physical custody of their child. Most courts award joint legal custody, but who should have primary physical custody is usually a contested matter. In order to avoid costly and traumatic litigation, a parent should examine whether seeking primary physical custody is in the best interest of the parent and the child.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A must-read for EVERY step-parent regarding pros/cons, finances, and emotions on seeking custody. -- A Reader from Atlanta, Georgia

Focuses on the reader and condenses the essential elements of custody law and procedures to guide the reader to the most rational and practical decision making. -- Frank Abuto, Senior Research Scientist

This book offers parents considering seeking custody a wealth of information to help make a reasoned and sober decision. -- Edward M. Eichler, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Atlanta, Georgia

From the Author

I am a family law attorney who also has a Ph.D. in psychology. I have practiced custody law for twenty-five years, and I have witnessed and participated as an attorney in the greatest tragedy of all---the custody battle. I wrote this book to help parents determine whether seeking custody is in their best interest. I believe that unless it is in the best interest of the parent to seek custody, it is often not in the best interest of their child.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: SugarPress, Ltd., Publishers; 1st edition (December 21, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096793060X
• ISBN-13: 978-0967930602
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,997,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Child Custody 101, July 18, 2003

By 

Dennis Littrell (SoCal) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Should You Really Seek Custody Of Your Child? (Paperback)

This is really a terrific book that asks (and answers) a rather surprising but fundamental question in the child custody wars: Should you REALLY seek custody? Most people, I would venture to guess, when thinking about a potential custody dispute would automatically answer yes. But Dr. Kerman, whose considerable and obvious experience and knowledge in both the legal and psychological aspects of the question (she is both a lawyer and a psychologist), goes a little further in this very valuable book and guides the reader to think twice and then to think twice again before answering this extremely important question.

Although the subtitle of the book refers to the best interests of the parent in considering who should have custody, in truth as one reads the book it becomes clear that what is best for the children really is the primary consideration, and by extension what is best for the children is really best for parents who love their children.

Clearly if one parent is not capable of taking care of the child for whatever reason (and Kerman gives a list of reasons, including alcoholism, drug dependancy, a significant other who would not like having the children around, lack of a stable home environment, lack of maturity, or just plan don't want the responsibility, etc.) that parent should not seek custody. But parents who seek custody simply because they want control or because they want revenge or want to avoid paying child support should rethink their position. If there are not substantial reasons that relate to the welfare of the children over and above the purely psychological and selfish reasons, then the parent who really cares about not only the children but about his or her own welfare may want to allow the other parent custody.

Kerman's book is set in large type that is easily read by the farsighted and there is a lot of white space for notes. She presents her methodology in seven thorough, almost exhaustive steps which, if followed, will lead almost certainly to a correct assessment of the situation and to a correct decision regarding who should have custody. It's clear that Kerman did not want to leave anything to chance or allow a wrong decision through ignorance. She considers the practical, the psychological, the legal and the human aspects of the question. You will learn what to expect from the courts and what others in similar situations experienced. Kerman sprinkles the text with case histories that illuminate the legalities and psychology involved.

When you are through reading this book you will be in a position to determine not only who should have custody, but how you should go about realizing that and what difficulties you might encounter. This is an entire course in child custody dynamics in a book. I would say not only should you buy this book yourself and read it if a custody question is on the horizon, but you should send a copy to your spouse and your lawyers! If your kids are ten or eleven years old or older, have them read it too! Everybody will benefit from the knowledge and understanding that Kerman brings to bare.

I will tell you one thing for sure: you will be at a significant disadvantage if you don't read this book. Dr. Kerman really knows her stuff and I don't think she left out anything of importance.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific guide with a wealth of info., practical and legal, August 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Should You Really Seek Custody Of Your Child? (Paperback)

A terrific guide with a wealth of information, both practical and legal, for any parent contemplating one of the most important decisions that will be made in their lifetime.
Dr. Kerman's book is a must read for any parent that is considering custody either as a result of divorce or post divorce modification. It will answer the reader's questions to aid them in the decision making process as to whether custody for them would be in the best interest of the child and parent. If, after reading the book, the parent feels that custody litigation would be in the best interest of the child, the parent will have gleaned from Dr Kerman a vast reservoir of information from her knowledge of family law and custody that will prepare the reader in the matter of formulating stradegy in filing any custody litigation or custody modification.Hats off to Dr Kerman for this invaluable resource that has helped me in my custody modification suit.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review By A Father Who Successfully Won Custody of His Son, April 10, 2001

By 

Frank Abuto (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Should You Really Seek Custody Of Your Child? (Paperback)

This is a must read book for all prospective litigants, their attorneys and judges involved in child custody matters in Georgia or elsewhere. Written in an easy-to-read style, the book introduces an entirely novel "best interest of the parent" philosophy that Dr. Kerman points out is intricately intertwined with the best interest of the child. Dr. Kerman wrote this book for the non-lawyer by focusing on the reader and condensing the essential elements of custody law and procedures to guide the reader to the most rational and practical decision making. The reader walks away with the must-know as he or she taps into Dr. Kerman's extensive litigation experience in family and custody law.