I will be working on a book on child custody from 2008 to 2010. It will a book
for parents who are contemplating divorce and those who are already divorced and
perhaps preparing for a custody battle. I'm going to include a variety of true
stories of how things can go horribly wrong when a court system attempts to make
decisions for you and your child. I worked in the Juvenile Court System in the
state of Ohio as a therapist and was often involved in the process of custody
change.
I believe our custody system needs to be overhauled. Imagine the daunting task
before judges of trying to determine a child's future based on the limited
amount of information that they can gather in their courtrooms in a very small
time frame. Information that they know is often skewed or completely made up. I
hope this book will shed some insight into the problems and point toward some
possible answers.
If you have been through a custody battle and would like to share your story,
please contact me. If it seems appropriate for the book, I'd like to interview
you. To be included you would need to sign a consent form. I will change all
names and identifying characteristics, but the basis of your story may be a real
help to others.
I'd like to hear from both mothers and fathers who have been through a battle
for their children's welfare. Some of the topics to be covered will be:
- How to protect your child during the process
- Using mediation
- How to find an appropriate attorney if needed
- How to utilize an attorney to help your child
- Pros and cons of a guardian ad litum
- Testifying in court, children testifying in court
- Use of expert witnesses
- The role of extended family in a custody battle
- Writing your own custody agreement
- What if the agreement isn't followed?
- Change of circumstance down the road
- Problems with stepparents and dating partners of the ex spouse
- When your ex has an addiction or mental illness, or is abusive
- What is in the "best interests of the child"?
- How do things change with adolescence
Please email me if you are interested in being included in this book.
julie@familytimecounseling.com