Full Description

Millions of fathers are currently fighting for custody of their children. Many wonder if they will ever again be an important part of their children’s lives. Fathers’ Rights covers every aspect of the custody process, including protecting the parent/child relationship as a break-up occurs, determining when to settle and when to litigate and explanations concerning the court’s determination of a fair level of child support.

This new edition updates the ever-changing laws in this area and expands into additional topics of importance concerning paternity issues and fathers serving in the armed forces.

Numerous court cases are used as examples to illustrate relevant situations. An extensive list of resources including agencies, organizations and websites is included as easy reference for the reader.

Table of Contents

Introduction -

Chapter 1: Fatherhood -
Fathers’ Rights
Children’s Rights
Paternity
Adoption
Termination of Fathers’ Rights
Paternity Fraud

Chapter 2: Conflicts -
Disputes about Children
Dealing with Emotions
Sample Separation Agreement Letter
Interventions
What to Say to the Kids

Chapter 3: Important First Steps -
Moving Out
Sample Move Out Agreement
Access to Children
Domestic Violence
Finances
Legal Matters

Chapter 4: The Legal System
Origins of Our Legal System
Limitations
How Laws are Made
Where to Find the Law
Lawyers
Sample Letter Firing Attorney
Judges
Other Participants in Your Case

Chapter 5: Custody -
Custody Law
Legal Custody
Physical Custody
Custody Evaluations

Chapter 6: Visitation -
Visitation Schedules
Different Types of Visitation
Visitation Disputes
Sample Court-Ordered Visitation Schedule
Visitation Rights Checklist
Changing Visitation
Third-Party Visitation

Chapter 7: Child Support -
Child Support Models
Calculating Child Support
Adjustments
Deviations from Guidelines
Education Expenses
Non-guidelines Cases
Modification
Termination
Avoiding Payment
Child Support Agreements
Bankruptcy and Taxes

Chapter 8: Federal and Uniform Laws -
Child Support
Health Insurance
School Records
Child Snatching
Gay Dads
Physically or Mentally Impaired Dads
Military Dads

Chapter 9: Alternatives -
Working It Out
Parenting Coordinator
Mediation
Parenting Plans
Sample Parenting Plan
Collaborative Law
Negotiation through Attorneys
Arbitration

Chapter 10: Filing a Lawsuit -
The Three Phases of a Lawsuit
Threshold Legal Requirements
Beginning the Lawsuit
Notice
Sample Summons from Montana
Service of Process
Pleadings
Sample Caption and Title for Pleading
Sample Verification
Sample Certificate of Service
Complaint
Answer
Sample Answer
Pretrial Proceedings
How Long Does it Take?
How Much Does it Cost?
Sample Trial Budget
Sample Trial Timeline

Chapter 11: Discovery and Pretrial Procedures -
Investigation
Interrogatories
Sample Interrogatories
Requests for Documents
Sample Request for Documents
Requests for Admissions
Sample Request for Admissions
Stipulation
Depositions
Subpoenas
Expert Witness Statement
Limitations on Discovery
Making the Other Side Respond
Pretrial Preparation

Chapter 12: Trial -
Before the Trial
Behavior at Trial
The Rules
The Trial
Plaintiff’s Case
Defendant’s Case
Closing

Chapter 13: Testimony -
Your Testimony
Your Direct Examination
Cross-Examination of the Children’s Mother
Direct Examination of Your Expert Witness

Chapter 14: Posttrial Life -
Appeals
Records
Finances
Posttrial Disputes
Moving On

Glossary -

Appendix A: State-by-State Custody Presumptions and FactorsAppendix B: Child Support Age of Termination and
College Expenses -
Appendix C: Laws to Prevent Child Snatching -
Appendix D: Child Abduction Resources -
Appendix E: Child Support Enforcement Agencies -
Appendix F: Fathers’ Rights Organizations -

Index -
About the Author -

Excerpt

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews: