"In his behind-the-scenes view of custody battles, Paul Marcus, a forensic psychologist, recounts the ravaging effects of hateful exes wielding punitive measures to seek revenge at the expense of the emotional well-being of their children. One hopes that by reading these tragic family scenarios, other couples will approach divorce with a constructive attitude that reflects care and concern for the children involved." -- Miriam Arond, former Editor-in-Chief of Child magazine and coauthor of The First Year of Marriage: What to Expect, What to Accept, and What You Can Change "Remarkable, gutsy, powerful portrayals...If you are contemplating entering into, or are amidst, a nasty custody, visitation or relocation conflict- and you love your children and care about yourself-this wonderful book is essential reading to help avoid unnecessary suffering. Marcus and Helmreich have written a small gem." -- Samuel L. Pauker, M.D. Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry Weill-Cornell University Medical College

Screenwriter Helmreich and Psychologist Marcus, the latter a longtime court insider who has witnessed untold trauma as an evaluator in custody disputes, present us with a book that is shocking, tragic and ultimately enlightening. The authors present in-depth understanding of the havoc child custody disputes can wreak not only on the couple but, more importantly, on the children. Harshly detailed, we come to know through this text the personal motivations and behaviors that end up devastating lives. Here, parents can learn what to do, and what not to do, to avoid bitter tragedy in such cases. Judges, lawyers, guardians and mediators will also find this book enormously educational and useful.

The ten cases in this book have been culled from years of experience as a court-appointed child custody evaluator. Commentaries at the end of each chapter offer analyses and concrete, practical information for parents in similar situations.