Reviews (15)

If you can only buy one book, this is it.
This book gives tons of strategies, not just definitions of most custody books, so if you can only afford one book, this is the one.
Michael Brennan is my attorney...
While struggling to find a decent attorney, I happened upon Michael's book in a libary. I arranged a meeting with Michael and ended up switching attorneys. I have had NO contact with my 4-year old daughter for the past seven (7) months... even with court orders for visitation. My case seems to be so complex, and unbelievable, that even attorneys such as Michael who write books on the subject find it difficult to believe.After months of trying to involve the police, DA, Attorney General of CA, and the FBI - with no success; Michael now seems to believe me and has successfully obtained an OSC forcing my wife and her attorney to explain why my daughter has been concealed. Interestingly, my case has moved from the original judge to the supervising judge on the family law panel. As the police in California will tell any father, "your rights as a father ended when your wife left and took your child."As the Attorney General's office will tell any father asking for help, "we don't even have enough resources to look for runaways...you will not find any help."The laws on the books don't matter when it comes to a mother sheltered by the corrupt CA legal system. Despite the hell I have endured, I believe in Michael's book and believe, despite my struggle, that he and his staff have the true best interest of the children in mind. The Family Law system in California is one of the state's "dirty little secrets".The mom-bias is extreme and outweighs "the best interest of the child" without the slightest consideration by accountable authorities of the facts in the matter. Read this book.Write a book.Fight for the thousands of innocent children who suffer every year from state-supported separation anxiety in California.

Practical information
Very nice feel for a self published book but the scope is limited and definitely from an attorney's point of reference.The opposition in my case must have been using this book exclusively. Good to have on your divorce/child custody book shelf. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Domestic Relations - Children    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family Law - Children    4. Family Law - Divorce & Separation    5. General    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Practical Guides   

Reviews (1)

Asbestos Legal Aspects
It isavery usefull book to people involved in litigation agaisnt asbestos companies. It allow you tousethe long experience in this subject carried out in USA and other countries and the Companies strategiesfor avoiding their liabilities. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asbestos    2. Asbestos industry    3. Asbestosis    4. Consumer Health    5. Diet / Health / Fitness    6. Health    7. Health aspects    8. Law    9. Safety    10. Toxicology   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Domestic Relations - General    4. Domestic relations    5. Family Law - General    6. General    7. Legal Profession    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. United States    10. Business & Economics / General    11. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry   

Reviews (1)

A indispensable addition to my library
Before I read this book, I had no idea what I didn't know.An easy read, this book is clear, to the point, and full of using tips and strategies. I am using the disc that is included to organize my files. I have new strategies to prepare my witnesses.I finally understand the importance of organizing my information and find that I'm even settling my cases more effectively.Thanks, Lynne and Steve, for an indispensable addition to my law library.J Zapoleon ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Divorce    3. Divorce suits    4. Law    5. Law and legislation    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Reference    8. Trial practice    9. United States    10. Law / Reference   

Editorial Review

Jeffery Leving has spent more than a decade in the trenches of domestic law. From that perspective, he gives men embroiled in custody disputes a powerful and impassioned voice in Read more

Reviews (24)

Fathers and Men need to WAKE UP NOW
I felt compelled to write about this book after reading one of the reviews on it apparently written by a female.
Some good thoughts but overoptimistic
The author of this book certainly does not say anything that is untrue, even given the huge disparity of laws in the 50 states. However, on the front cover, among other things, he says you will learn how to:
Very informative
This book is a must read for all dads who are facing custody disputes of any type.Fathers are a very important part of a child's life and they should know how to fight to stay close and involved with their children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child custody    3. Civil Procedure    4. Custody of children    5. Divorced fathers    6. Education    7. Family & Relationships    8. Family Law - Children    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. Legal status, laws, etc.    11. Popular works    12. Practical Guides    13. United States    14. Law for the lay person    15. Private, property, family law    16. Separation & divorce    17. USA   

Reviews (2)

Valuable resource!
As a student who wants to work for agencies to prevent crime on the internet, I wasn't sure how much "Family Law and Practice: The Paralegal's Guide" was going to do for me.It turned out to be an incredible resource, not only of how the system works, but also of the workings of families in suboptimal conditions. Great for Students and People Interested in the Law
This is a wonderful book for both students and people interested in family law.It covers everything from the history of family law to current events, such as Roseanne and Tom Arnold's marriage.The cases are more like soap operas than the dry cases one usually associates with law.These cases will inspire great conversation in the classroom and will hold the students' interest from start to finish. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business Law    2. Domestic Relations Law    3. Domestic relations    4. Family Law - General    5. General    6. Law    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Paralegal Services    9. Paralegals & Paralegalism    10. United States    11. Family law    12. Law / General    13. Legal profession    14. Legal skills & practice   

Reviews (2)

Annulment erases what a civil divorce cannot and never can
An act of annulment is a spiritual rite of making null and void a transaction - in this case of marriage. It is not a divorce which is a legal declaration that obligations between two parties has ceased. Annulment is on par with marriage in the sense that it dissolves the vow and pledges spoken to create the marital covenant. This is a major distinction. Once a bride and bridegroom take vows to each other in front of a priest in a church in front of all their friends and families .... It is not a promise, a contract, or an agreement, it is a sacred divine vow, a permanent spiritual binding union of two souls. A fusion of two people into one. Annulment is a spiritual erasure of that vow. So non-Catholics who must go through the process to marry a Catholic will learn how to understand this process. It is a second chance to get it right once and for all.

Clear, No-Nonsense Explanation of annullments
This book explained the entire annullment process in terms a layperson could understand. The book is divided into question/answer segments, all relevant and easy-to-understand. The best resource I've found on an often confusing topic. A must-read if you are considering annullment or need to answer those who question the process. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Catholicism    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Marriage    3. Family Law - Divorce & Separation    4. Religion    5. Religion - Classic Works   

Reviews (2)

Very Dull
I am a Criminology and Criminal Justice student finishing my sophomore year this month. I have taken 7 different CCJ classes so far, and this textbook ranks among the most dry, dull, and boring CCJ textbooks I have ever had the misfortune to read. Even my Criminal Law text was better than this book was.
Dry, yet informative.
This book is one of the more wordy books I have ever read.The text isvery dry yet informative.If you suffer from insomnia, this is one cure, Iknow it was for me.In all seriousness, this is a relatively good book,though I feel the newer version is a lot better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Courts    2. Courts - General    3. Family Law - Children    4. Juvenile Justice Administration    5. Juvenile courts    6. Juvenile justice, Administration of    7. Law    8. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    9. Politics - Current Events    10. Politics / Current Events    11. United States    12. Political Science / Law Enforcement   

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Health    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Public health laws    6. United States   

Reviews (13)

Important book, along with...
Divorce is one of the most grueling experiences anyone can go through, and this book is a great guide for easing the challenges.The book is packed with information on the legal and emotional issues that are likely to arise -- and how to deal with them.The topics span the board, from making the initial decision, to preparing for trial, to how to talk with the kids about it all.
Very Informative, but deceptively biased
After reading many, many studies on the subject of divorce, support and custody, and also personally being a single father for 13 years with sole custody of 3 children and also being a non-custodial parent of one younger child I feel I can comment objectively on this book. Extensive Information
This book is filled with extensive information. With over 60% of the population getting divorced, this subject should no longer be taboo.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Divorce    3. Divorce & Separation    4. Emotions    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family Law - Divorce & Separation    7. Family Law - General    8. Family/Marriage    9. Law and legislation    10. Popular works    11. Psychological aspects    12. Psychology    13. United States    14. Classical music (c 1750 to c 1830)    15. Family & Relationships / Divorce    16. Family law    17. Marriage & relationships    18. Performing Arts    19. Separation & divorce   

Subjects:  1. Antenuptial contracts    2. Contracts (Law)    3. Family Law - Marriage    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Marriage    7. Popular works    8. Practical Guides    9. United States   

Reviews (1)

Amazingly helpful!
Ms. Stark's book offers both efficiency and compassion as she helpsdivorcing couples work through the process.Her information is accurateand precise.The advice she provides will enable reasonable people to findresolutions to many of the natural flashpoint issues natural todivorce.Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Custody    2. Connecticut    3. Divorce    4. Divorce suits    5. Domestic Relations - Divorce & Separation    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family & Relationships / Divorce    8. Law    9. Law / Domestic Relations / Divorce & Separation    10. Law and legislation    11. Popular works   

Subjects:  1. Administration    2. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    3. Employers' liability    4. Industrial Safety    5. Industrial hygiene    6. Labor & Employment    7. Law    8. Law and legislation    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. Reference    11. United States    12. Occupational / industrial health & safety    13. Public health & safety law    14. USA   

Reviews (3)

useful book on current healthcare economics

Tort Reform Ignored
While I found Dr Cutler's analysis penetrating, I was disappointed that he did not discuss in any detail the large impact on medical costs of medical malpractice lawsuits. Not only do these lawsuits increase malpractice insurance premiums of physicians and health insurance premiums of patients, they lead to wasteful defensive medicine, as physicians do unnecessary tests and procedures in order to reduce the risk of malpractice suits. Tort reform is essential to control rising medical costs.

compelling approach to fix the broken American health system
Forty million Americans lack health care insurance and costs leap three and four times the inflation rate yet few Americans feel the system provides adequate care.Harvard economics professor and health-care expert Dr. David M. Cutler believes that the problem lies with the inability for most people to understand opportunity costs based on choices that may not lead to an improved life quality.The government and medical leadership exacerbate the problem with saving money as their solution, ignoring effectiveness.He makes a strong case on how much health care has dramatically improved over the past five decades as dramatized by longer productive life spans.Dr. Cutler believes that more money should be spent on further medical advances and that universal coverage for all needs should be implemented so that the present day uninsured can afford care rather than drain at a more costly rate the system.The key is to change from a system that economically encourages doctors to choose techniques that are not always the best for the patient factoring in cost and life quality to a system that reimburses doctors for quality service (not as hard as it first sounds).Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Health Care Delivery    4. Health Care Issues    5. Medical Law & Legislation    6. Political Science    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Public Policy - Economic Policy    9. Economics | Health    10. Political Science / Economic Policy   

Reviews (4)

Great book, just not if you live in certain states...
This book is great.It made me think about a lot of things, being unmarried to my live-in partner and having a young child.However, we are moving to Illinois soon, and this book does NOT apply to unmarried, heterosexual couples there.Illinois is one of a handful of states that has laws against cohabitation.If you live in Illinois or another state that still has these types of laws on the books, none of the legal documents that this book helps you prepare are going to hold up in court.I think it's great, however, that a book like this exists and is so detailed and helpful.Cohabitating couples, especially those of us who have children together and plan to buy homes or own property together, need to know the legal issues as individuals and as a couple.I highly recommend this book, though it probably isn't worth your time if your state still has the anti-cohabitation laws.

Don't live with someone unless you've read this book
Readers should note that this book was written for unmarried opposite-sex couples only.Same-sex couples should instead read _A Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples_ by Hayden Curry and Denis Clifford, also published by Nolo.Although many of the issues overlap regardless of sexual orientation, this book considers specifically the concerns facing unmarried male-female partners. Get It In Writing!
As Judge Judy points out to her audience, there are no courts that protect couples living together.People who decide to live together, need to set up a legal contract.When things fall apart, the last thing needed is the distress and lawsuits that don't have any validity of who or what is owed.In a society that pushes marriage on men and women, it's refreshing to know that there are people who choose to be happy with an alternative lifestyle.When the marriage falters, couples have to seek legal assistance to end their marriage.And divorce drags on for years because the courts fuel the fire which drains both parties emotionally and financially.And children are caught in this mudslinging.Perhaps an alternative to marriage may change the divorce laws in this country. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Domestic Relations Law    2. Family    3. Family Law - General    4. Family Relationships    5. Forms    6. Interpersonal Relations    7. Law    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Legal status, laws, etc.    10. United States    11. Unmarried couples   

Reviews (1)

A great practical well written book for all!
Out of all the books or articles i have read on divorce, this author really gets to the point when it comes to divorce & custody.I also wrote the author Ms . Pekala, who then called me and gave me additional input that my own lawyer failed to implement on my case.I have been telling everyone to buy the book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Business/Economics    3. Divorce    4. Divorce settlements    5. Domestic Relations - Divorce & Separation    6. Family Law - Divorce & Separation    7. Law and legislation    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Popular works    10. Practical Guides    11. United States    12. Women's rights    13. Law / Domestic Relations / Divorce & Separation   

Subjects:  1. Family Law - General    2. Law    3. Reference / Law   

Reviews (2)

The committee approach
This is a book which, despite being written by a committee and showing it, has a definite point of view.It is somewhat superficial, but contains a fairly good review of the literature on medical error and some definiteideas about what to do.This is the book for policy wonks who areinterested both in health care and in government intervention.Thoselooking for more in-depth treatment of the subject would do well toconsider Human Error in Medicine, edited by Marilyn Sue Bogner.

Everyone should read this book
This eye opening book exposes the dangers of the medical health care system in the United States.Tens of thousands of people die and are injured every year due to doctors' errors, administrative foul ups,misdiagnoses, and incorrect prescriptions.The book gives generalsolutions for the system as a whole and advice to the individual to helpyou protect yourself when you are being treated by a doctor orhospital.Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health Care Administration +    4. Health Care Delivery    5. Health Care Issues    6. Health Care Planning    7. Health/Fitness    8. Medical / Nursing    9. Medical errors    10. Prevention    11. Public Health    12. Health systems & services    13. Medicolegal issues    14. Public health & preventive medicine    15. USA   

Reviews (1)

Helpful - but out of date
I had this text book overnighted to me due to the fact that my campus bookstore didn't have it in stock.I paid the shipping then found out later that the book had been updated and my classmates were all using the fourth edition.The editions are rather similar and the book is still helpful.There are enough "real time" examples as well as charts & graphs to make this a necessary text for Health Politics.The appendix section is also noteworthy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration    2. Decision making    3. Health Care Delivery    4. Health planning    5. Law / Medical Law & Legislation    6. Medical    7. Medical / Nursing    8. Medical laws and legislation    9. Medical policy    10. United States    11. Law    12. Medical Law & Legislation    13. Methodology    14. Policy sciences   

Reviews (17)

Reviews encouraged it, so I bought both...
... both "Divorce & Money" books, that is, one by Smith and the other by Woodhouse. And I have to say, while this book DOES have a lower price, in this case you get what you pay for.
IN YOUR HOUR OF NEED
Recently, I purchased Gayle Rosenwald Smith's DIVORCE AND MONEY, Everything You Need To Know, as I am starting divorce proceedings for the second time. I cannot recomend this book highly enough. I was confused as to why this informative, excellent book has recieved such negative comments by some of Amazon's reviewers. There is another book with the same title--but with a different sub-title, that was refered to as preferable; eventhough I found that Nolo Press book (which I examined) to be less informative, more difficult to comprehend and more expensive; $14.95 v. $34.99.
This is the wrong book!
I got this book on accident after my friend recommended the Nolo book by the same name. I was really not expecting much and this book lived up to my expectations because it kept saying "Go see a lawyer! Go see a lawyer!" Then my friend saw I had the wrong book... Part of the reason I picked up this book was all the good reviews, but then I see that many of them come from Philadelphia, where this book's author is from. Coincidence? Probably not because all their comments don't seem to match the contents. Do yourself a favor and get the Nolo book, it's really much better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Divorce & Separation    2. Divorce settlements    3. Domestic Relations Law    4. Equitable distribution of mari    5. Equitable distribution of marital property    6. Family Law - Divorce & Separation    7. Law    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Popular works    10. Practical Guides    11. United States    12. Self-Help / General