Child Custody

by Lyster, Mimi E.

• ISBN13: 9780873375214
• ISBN10: 0873375211
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-01-01
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

Offers guidelines for minimizing conflict and negotiating a fair and realistic custody agreement, discusses how to modify an existing agreement, and addresses the special needs of multicultural and nontraditional families.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Make Your Own Custody Decisions If Possible	p. 2
Parenting Issues and Financial Issues	p. 2
Why This Book Is Unique	p. 3
A Word to Skeptics	p. 4
So, You Just Want to Fight!	p. 4
Icons Used in This Book	p. 6
Taking Stock of Your Situation
You Are Not Alone	p. 2
Keep Your Parenting Plan Focused on Your Children	p. 2
Know That It Gets Easier Over Time	p. 3
Learn How to Negotiate	p. 4
If the Other Parent Is Absent	p. 5
If There Is Violence or Abuse in the Family	p. 5
An Introduction to Parenting Agreements
What Parenting Agreements Cover	p. 2
Advantages of Parent-Negotiated Agreements	p. 2
Goals of a Successful Parenting Agreement	p. 3
Parenting Agreements and Custody	p. 4
Preparing to Build Your Parenting Agreement
Organize and Review All Pertinent Documents	p. 2
Take Stock of Your Relationship With Your Children	p. 2
How to Negotiate a Parenting Agreement
Knowing What You Need and Want	p. 3
Understanding What Gets in the Way	p. 5
Using Effective Negotiation and Problem Solving Strategies	p. 9
Breaking Through Impasses	p. 13
Knowing Where to Get Help and Support	p. 17
Building Your Parenting Agreement
What Works in Building a Parenting Agreement	p. 3
Complete the Parenting Agreement	p. 4
Parenting Agreements and Money
Understanding Child Support	p. 2
Understanding Alimony or Spousal Support	p. 4
Negotiating Child and Spousal Support	p. 6
Dividing Jointly Owned Property	p. 7
Making Mediation and Arbitration Work for You
How Mediation Works	p. 2
Why Mediation Works	p. 2
Proposing Mediation	p. 3
Understanding Basic Mediation Techniques	p. 4
Why Mediation Works in Very Difficult Cases	p. 7
What Mediators Don't Do	p. 9
Choosing Between Court-Ordered and Private Mediation	p. 9
When the Mediator Makes a Recommendation to the Court	p. 10
Custody Evaluations	p. 11
Selecting a Mediator	p. 11
Preparing for Mediation	p. 12
If You Can't Reach an Agreement	p. 13
Alternatives to Mediation	p. 13
Dealing With Changes in Your Existing Agreements
Why Changes Are Necessary--And What You Can Do About Them	p. 2
When You Are the One Initiating Change	p. 3
When You Are the One Responding to a Request for Change	p. 4
When Tensions Are Running High	p. 5
What to Do After You Negotiate the Changes	p. 5
Understanding Your Children's Needs
Strategies for Your Children At Any Age	p. 2
Strategies for Your Children at Different Ages and Developmental Stages	p. 5
Strategies for Children With Special Needs	p. 8
Multiracial, Multicultural and International Families
Accommodating Differences in Child-Rearing Practices	p. 2
Encouraging Children to Celebrate the Traditions of Both Parents	p. 2
Sorting Out the Role of Power Within the Family	p. 3
Working Within the American Legal System	p. 3
Deciding If Another Country Has Authority Over Parenting (Custody) Issues	p. 4
Nontraditional Families
What Are Nontraditional Families?	p. 2
The Legal Relationship of a Nontraditional Parent and His or Her Children	p. 2
Recognizing the Nontraditional Parent's Role	p. 6
Resolving Conflict in a Way That Meets Your Family's Needs	p. 6
Creating New Relationships After the Divorce or Separation	p. 7
State and Federal Laws Affecting Child Custody
Custody and Visitation	p. 2
Best Interests of the Child	p. 3
Mediation	p. 7
Interference With Custody	p. 9
Interstate Custody Disputes	p. 10
International Custody Disputes	p. 11
Custody and the IRS	p. 12
Help Beyond the Book
Researching Legal Issues	p. 2
Researching Nonlegal Issues	p. 4
Research on the World Wide Web	p. 4
Finding Professionals Who Can Help	p. 5
Additional Resources	p. 9
Bibliography	p. 11
Tear-Out Forms
Describe Your Child
Describe Your Relationship With Your Child
Adding the Details
Checklist of Issues for Your Parenting Agreement
Parenting Agreement
Index
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