Women are still discovering-the hard way-just how difficult and unpredictable child custody cases can be. The first and most comprehensive book of its kind, this is a complete insider's guide filled with crucial advice from judges, lawyers, therapists, and mothers who have experienced this challenging legal process. It is designed for women at every stage of divorce and covers a wide range of legal strategies, as well as financial and psychological issues. This updated edition describes how to use technology advantageously and pitfalls to avoid, as well as changes in interstate custody laws and essential topics such as:
- Choosing a lawyer
- What to expect before and in court
- Blended families
- Domestic violence risk factors for women
- What makes a custody agreement good or bad
- Dealing with your emotions
- Parental kidnapping cases
- An appendix of recommended reading

Over the past thirty years, there has been a dramatic shift in the way the legal system approaches and resolves family disputes. Traditionally, family law dispute resolution was based on an "adversary" system: two parties and their advocates stood before a judge who determined which party was at fault in a divorce and who would be awarded the rights in a custody dispute. Now, many family courts are opting for a "problem-solving" model in which courts attempt to resolve both legal and non-legal issues. At the same time, American families have changed dramatically. Divorce rates have leveled off and begun to drop, while the number of children born and raised outside of marriage has increased sharply. Fathers are more likely to seek an active role in their children's lives. While this enhanced paternal involvement benefits children, it also increases the likelihood of disputes between parents. As a result, the families who seek legal dispute resolution have become more diverse and their legal situations more complex. In Divorced from Reality, Jane C. Murphy and Jana B. Singer argue that the current "problem solving" model fails to address the realities of today's families. The authors suggest that while today's dispute resolution regime may represent an improvement over its more adversary predecessor, it is built largely around the model of a divorcing nuclear family with lawyers representing all parties-a model that fits poorly with the realities of today's disputing families. To serve the families it is meant to help, the legal system must adapt and reshape itself.

A guide and workbook for divorcing parents that provides a child-centered framework upon which to create a parenting plan that leads to successful co-parenting and well-adjusted kids. When parents are divorcing they require a skillfully developed parenting plan that outlines the structure, predictability, and daily rhythm of co-parenting with the goal of creating a stable, healthy, two-home family life for their children. The agreements and guidelines set out in a parenting plan agreement establish clarity about each parent's responsibilities to their children and to each other, and it becomes the template for co-parenting children through to adulthood. This workbook provides sound guidance, advice, and reassurance for co-parents embarking on making these significant decisions.

Help for anyone trying to recover from relationship breakdown, separation, or divorce

Restored Lives has been developed to help people recover from the experience of divorce or relationship breakdown. It will empower them to regain self-confidence and guides them to rebuild their lives.

There are three parts to Restored Lives a main book, a DVD, and a workbook. The main book stands alone, and can be read profitably by individuals.

However, many people wrestling with relationship breakdown find it helpful to join others in a similar situation. For churches wishing to run such a group, the companion DVD offers professionally prepared presentations drawn from the book, and the workbook allows course members to personalize their experience.

Erik Castenskiold outlines the journey of breakdown and recovery, offering assurance that recovery is possible and revealing how to move forward as a single person, and build new relationships. He highlights the importance of forgiveness, revealing how it is possible to let go and move on, and establishes important tools for communicating well with your ex-partner, handling conflict, setting emotional boundaries, and expressing yourself clearly. He also addresses the impact of separation on family and friends and considers relevant legal and financial factors.

While based on Christian principles, the material is relevant and helpful for anyone, with or without a Christian faith or church background. It was developed from the Restored Lives course that Erik and his wife, Jules, run at Holy Trinity Brompton, London.

The short workbook is available singly and in packs of ten.

The bestselling book that coaches parents on how to work together to effectively and successfully parent while living apart

If you are divorced or in the process of getting a divorce, you may be concerned about the effects it may have on your child or children. Thorough in coverage and updated with topics that affect today's families, "Does Wednesday Mean Mom's House or Dad's?" helps you keep your children in the number-one, priority spot before, during, and after your divorce.

Nonjudgmental in tone, with practical and wise advice, the Second Edition covers many new topics including collaborative divorce, fathers' rights, and the use of electronic devices to manage children's complex scheduled activities across two households. New chapters cover the issue of abuse in custody evaluations as well as the use of the Internet to address matters that arise in divorce and custody cases.

Written by a psychologist and child custody expert, this book provides an accessible road map that helps you:

Break the news of divorce to your children

Keep them informed without overburdening them

Anticipate your child's behavioral and emotional responses

Simplify your children's lives as well as your own, through the use of highly adaptable schedules and plans for visitation

Know what to expect in the legal process

Avoid the pitfalls of parenting from a distance

Both reassuring and realistic, the Second Edition helps you to help your children deal with your divorce and to handle the changes in their lives. This book won't tell you how to "win" custody battles, but it will show you how to put your kids' best interests first as you work with your spouse to parent together whileliving apart.

TV presenter Anthea Turner was left devastated in 2013 when her husband Grant Bovey left her for a woman young enough to be his daughter. Although both she and Grant had left their previous partners for each other, Anthea was convinced they had both learned from their mistakes and were going to grow old together. Yet despite giving him a second chance a year earlier, he was caught cheating again and Anthea knew their marriage was over for good. Heartbroken, she filed for divorce. How to Survive Divorce is Anthea's candid take on the emotional toll the end of her marriage took on her well-being and how she came out of the ordeal, a stronger, more confident woman. Open and honest, she pulls no punches as she describes falling apart in the months after the split and turning to her friends, family and professionals to help her through her darkest days. This is a book which has been carefully researched and written by the star and is full of helpful tips and real-life case studies. How to Survive Divorce aims to offer women who find themselves facing divorce - whether or not from choice - practical help and guidance in navigating what can be a legal and emotional minefield. From choosing the right lawyer to getting back in the dating game, this is a must-have guide on how to survive divorce and come out the other side.

A Wonderfully Supportive Guide from an Internationally Recognized Authority on Affairs

"Emily Brown has written a must-read book for anyone going through the searing pain of infidelity. First she deciphers the five types of affairs, then she gives clear step-by-step procedures to help both partners deal with it and even grow from it. It's a real achievement."--Marguerite Kelly, syndicated columnist, "The Family Almanac" and author, "Marguerite Kelly's Family Almanac"

"Finally, a book on affairs that pulls no punches . . . . It's the book I'll put at the top of my list to recommend to both professionals and to husbands, wives, and lovers. Highly recommended."--Isolina Ricci, author, "Mom's House, Dad's House: The Complete Guide for Parents Who Are Separated, Divorced, or Remarried"

Positive advice for divorced dads and their families

The country's leading authority on fathers' rights Jeffery M. Leving presents a definitive how-to resource for divorced dads of any age, background, and marriage history. Leving offers targeted guidance and suggests techniques for staying connected with children and dealing with ex-wives--and in some cases a new girlfriend or the wife's new boyfriend--during the divorce and afterwards. This upbeat book offers good news for divorced dads and counters many of the myths that paint divorcing fathers as alienated, irresponsible, or absent.Includes advice for overcoming limited access to children with cooperative responses and legal remedies if necessaryReveals how to avoid depression and feelings of guilt that can cause a divorced dad to give up and lose connection with his kidsOffers ideas for responding to an ex-wife's remarriage, moving, unfounded accusations, and other common issuesContains guidance for engaging in new relationships and possibly remarriage

"How to Be a Good Divorced Dad" is practical and down-to-earth and offers dozens of real life examples of dads who have discovered the importance of staying involved in their children's lives.

After her parents' divorce, seven-year-old Sophia is raised by her paternal grandmother and, later, her father's second wife. She visits her mother on weekends until she finishes her high school, after which she moves to the US to complete her post-secondary studies and launch a career in child welfare. Decades later, Sophia travels back to Greece, determined to find her mother's grave and finally learn about the reasons for her parents' divorce. As she digs, she begins to realize how clashing cultures between her Greek-born mother and her father's early years in Turkey wreaked havoc on the marriage. Determined to unlock the true story, she interviews family members, all of whom are sympathetic but reluctant to disclose information. Finally, she hires an attorney and resorts to document searching-and uncovers a story she never knew existed. Written with illuminating insights and a mature understanding of what forced her mother's decision to abandon their home, Sophia's compassionate, authentic recounting of her journey will encourage those who search for the truth to persist in seeking answers to life's unanswered questions.

A funny, honest, and empathetic resource for the novice stepmother, which includes advice on The kids Adjusting to suspicion, resentment, and biological-parent loyalties; The ex-wife Living calmly alongside her, whether she's a psycho or the perfect mother; The holidays Accommodating old family traditions and developing new ones; The sex Keeping love alive through the kids' bed-wetting and nightmares. Plus an invaluable list of resources, websites, publications, and organizations specifically for the new stepmother.

The fear of abandonment is one of our most primal fears, and deservedly so. Its pain is often overwhelming, and can leave its mark on the rest of your life. In the midst of the hurt, it's hard to see an end to your feelings of rejection, shame, and betrayal.
In this updated edition of the groundbreaking book, Susan Anderson, a therapist who has specialized in helping people with loss, heartbreak, and abandonment for more than thirty years, shares recent discoveries in neuroscience that help put your pain in perspective. It is designed to help all victims of emotional breakups--whether you are suffering from a recent loss, or a lingering wound from the past; whether you are caught up in patterns that sabotage your own relationships, or you're in a relationship in which you no longer feel loved. From the first stunning blow to starting over, it provides a complete program for abandonment recovery.
Going beyond comforting words to promote real change, this healing process will help you work through the five universal stages of abandonment--shattering, withdrawal, internalizing, rage, lifting--by understanding their biochemical and behavioral origins and implications. New hands-on exercises for improving your life will teach you how to manage the inevitable pain, then go on to build a whole new concept of self, increase your capacity for love, and find new love on a deeper and richer level than ever before.

Hate your ex but love your kids? If so, this much-needed guide offers practical tips and strategies to help you manage intense emotions, deal with shame and blame, and create a peaceful, loving environment for your children. Let's face it-divorce is tough. In a high-conflict divorce, your ex may attempt to undermine your relationship with your children, blame you for the failed marriage, and be hostile toward you in general. Unfortunately, this negativity can affect your kids, too. You need to break the cycle of rage and conflict now, for their sake. This book can help. Loving Your Children More Than You Hate Each Other offers powerful skills based in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and values-based parenting to help you both take control of your emotions. You'll develop tools to help you identify cycles of conflict, as well as strategies for breaking these cycles before they get out of hand. You'll also learn to effectively communicate with one another and your children in a way that is healthy and productive. If you're going through a high-conflict divorce, you need real tools to help you manage the pain and anger that can follow. This book will give you the skills you need to go from ex to co-parent, and start rebuilding your-and your child's-life.

In a time when divorce rates are higher than ever before-especially in blended families-"The Fusion Family" offers welcome guidance, practical advice, and easy-to-apply solutions and tools for families in transition.Charlotte Egemar Kaaber is a certified life and business coach, as well as a fusion mother. Relying on her professional and personal experiences as well as interviews with other blended families, she provides a comprehensive handbook aimed at helping families build the kind of strong foundation that enables everyone to stay united, even during the family's most challenging times. Kaaber shares thought-provoking inspiration and ways to succeed for a wide range of applicable issues, including communicating with an ex-spouse; disciplining children in a blended family; establishing new traditions and memories; dealing with jealousy among the children and parents; being present and creating security.The practical advice, tips, and tools included in "The Fusion Family" will help any newly-blended family understand and overcome challenges to create a new future together."I wish my mother had read "The Fusion Family.""-Pernille, a Danish woman who grew up in a blended family