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

by Judge James W. Stewart (Author)
Key Phrases: protecting your child, parental alienation, child support schedules, The Child Custody Book, Conduct Yourself During the Custody Evaluation, The Role of Attorneys (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"If you're involved in a custody case, you and your lawyer need this book."

Product Description
This book fully, clearly, and concisely explains the process of court child custody litigation. It shows how custody decisions are made, what can be expected at each stage of the process, and how parents can insure that their abilities are clearly presented to persons with influence over the custody decision. It is intended to eliminate surprises that could lead to costly mistakes along the way.

Parents who settle custody disputes out of court will not only save tens of thousands of dollars, but will have avoided the rancor and hostility of a custody trial that makes future cooperation in raising the children almost impossible.

With help from a capable and experienced attorney, this book will allow the reader to present her/his case for custody in its best possible light. A must-read for divorcing parents, custody evaluators, family psychologists, and marriage and family therapists.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Impact Publishers (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886230277
• ISBN-13: 978-1886230279
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,743 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #6 in	Books > Nonfiction > Law > Family & Health Law > Children
  #6 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Law > Family & Health Law > Children
  #15 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Law > Family & Health Law > Divorce & Separation

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Ok for as far as it goes., May 4, 2002

By	Jo Evanston (Rapid City, SD) - See all my reviews

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.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful information on a complicated topic, August 3, 2000

By A Customer

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.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Read with a grain of sand...., August 18, 2005

By	BigBertha "BigBertha" (California) - See all my reviews

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