Book excerpt: Women are still discovering-the hard way-just how difficult and unpredictable child custody cases can be. The first and most comprehensive book of its kind, this is a complete insider's guide filled with crucial advice from judges, lawyers, therapists, and mothers who have experienced this challenging legal process. It is designed for women at every stage of divorce and covers a wide range of legal strategies, as well as financial and psychological issues. This updated edition describes how to use technology advantageously and pitfalls to avoid, as well as changes in interstate custody laws and essential topics such as: - Choosing a lawyer - What to expect before and in court - Blended families - Domestic violence risk factors for women - What makes a custody agreement good or bad - Dealing with your emotions - Parental kidnapping cases - An appendix of recommended reading