Children, Courts, and Custody: Interdisciplinary Models for Divorcing Families

by Andrew I. Schepard

Overview

The level of conflict between parents is the key factor in how children overcome the challenges divorce creates. This book provides an overview of relevant trends in law, conflict resolution and mental health and the empirical research that supports them. It analyzes the principal challenges facing the child custody court of today which entails assuring the safety of parents and children from violence and providing access to justice and services. Concluding with an agenda for reform of the child custody court, the volume advocates interdisciplinary collaboration to help courts meet the needs of twenty-first century parents and children.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521529303
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/01/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.63(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Overview; 2. Kramer vs Kramer revisited: the sole custody/adversary system paradigm; 3. Divorce, children and courts: an empirical perspective; 4. Parents are forever I: joint custody and parenting plans; 5. Parents are forever II: Alternative dispute resolution and mediation; 6. Parents are forever III: Court-affiliated educational programs; 7. Contrasting child custody court paradigms: New York and California; 8. Family violence; 9. Differentiated case management; 10. Lawyers for parents; 11. The voice of the child, the lawyer for the child and child alienation; 12. Neutral Mental Health Evaluators; 13. The best interests test and its presumption-based competitors; 14. Consolidating the new paradigm: the future of the child custody court; Acknowledgements; Endnotes.

Editorial Reviews

"This solid, well-written, and comprehensive book is aimed at the gamut of divorce professionals, policymakers, and the public interested in getting educated about the entire contemporary custody domain. I would also highly recommend it as an excellent basic textbook for law schools and social science programs focused on families, divorce, and social policy... A clear and thorough introduction to the myriad issues of utmost importance to our children's future." Family Mediation News

"An incredibly well-researched book on the subject of child custody....scholarly but very practical....a clarion call to all of us who recognize our obligation to do more to protect our children." New York Law Journal

"Provides valuable background information for any parent and legal or mental health professional interested in this unique area of law....Well written and provides an excellent review of issues related to the functioning of child-custody courts. In addition, important suggestions for change are made....A great starting place for thinking about change in the child custody courts." Contemporary Psychology

From the Publisher