Child Custody

The Child Custody Book: How to Protect Your Children and Win Your Case (Rebuilding Books)
$17.95
Bought this one too. See my last review for "Custody for fathers". Save the money you would have spent on this book and buy your child something special or make a payment to a good lawyer.

Building a Parenting Agreement That Works: How to Put Your Kids First When Your Marriage Doesn't Last
$24.99
This book gave us exactly what we needed and wanted when we realized that we had to sort out custody and parenting issues. We adapted the worksheets to our own situation and have created a parenting plan that we both agree on. What a blessing!

The Art and Science of Child Custody Evaluations
$27.00
Back in the dark ages, a psychologist hired by one parent or the other in a child custody case could just waltz into court and give a subjective clinical opinion. Thankfully, while such practices may still occur here and there, it is no longer the norm. Such a psychologist might be legally barred due to inadequate training or experience, or might face legal action by the other parent. Back in 1998 (and revised last year), Jonathan Gould wrote a really helpful manual called Conducting Scientifically Crafted Child Custody Evaluations, Second Edition, to help custody evaluators avoid the many pitfalls and landmines in this litigious subfield of forensic psychology. Now, he has teamed up with fellow expert David A. Martindale to bring us even more of the latest information and advice in this rapidly evolving area.

The authors focus both on the law and on the clinical practicalities. Clear and well-written chapters explore ethics and bias, child interviewing, child development research, assessing parents, child sexual abuse allegations, domestic violence, and child alienation. The authors carefully explain the primary legal standard in child custody work, "The Best Interests of the Child" standard. Of special use to the practitioner, the appendix contains sample letters and statements of understanding, all with permission to freely photocopy.

The overall messages here are ones worth repeating: Know the law, know the science, remain unbiased, and be humble. This updated reference book will be useful not only to child custody evaluators but also to attorneys and to students of forensic psychology.

For those of you interested in learning more, another good resource is Ackerman and Kane's Psychological Experts In Divorce Actions, which summarizes empirical data on child custody evaluation practices. It was published in 2005, but the publisher puts out annual supplements summarizing new research.

Child Custody Made Simple: Understanding the Laws of Child Custody and Child Support
$21.95
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.