The Smart Divorce® Weblog

Tug of War – A judge speaks out about divorce in the courtroom

March 3, 2009

Tug of War
A Judge’s Verdict on Separation, Custody Battles, and the Bitter Realities of Family Court

Mr. Justice Harvey Brownstone

I just finished reading the book Tug of War and highly recommend it as required reading for anyone that is contemplating litigation for their family law disputes. When I conducted my interviews for The Smart Divorce, there wasn’t one judge who would make his/her views public. Justice Brownstone has gone out on a limb to communicate his views to the public. It is well written and provides a real perspective of what goes on in court – and is endorsed by his colleagues, which speaks volumes in terms of the credibility and accuracy of information.

Tug of War is the first book of its kind. Written by a sitting family court judge in layman’s language, it demystifies complex family law concepts and procedures, clearly explains how family court works, and gives parents essential alternatives to resolve their own custody battles and keep their kids out of the often damaging court system.

Breakup rates in North America are skyrocketing. Recent statistics say 45% of marriages end in divorce, and at the centre are countless children, thrust by their families into a complex and seemingly impermeable family court system. Tug of War explains the role of lawyers and judges in the family justice system, and examines the parents’ own responsibilities to ensure that post-separation conflicts are resolved with minimal damage to the children stuck in the middle of parental disputes. Justice Harvey Brownstone explores themes that apply to all families and parents in conflict. He draws on his fourteen years sitting on the family court bench to provide clear case examples with inclusive and accessible language.

Tug of War describes alternatives to litigation and exposes the myth that parents can represent themselves without a lawyer in family court. Justice Brownstone discloses the inner struggles of parents, judges, and lawyers in the maelstrom of marital conflict.

This book is a must-read for couples involved in or contemplating separation, family law judges, lawyers, mediators, parenting coaches, psychologists, family counselors, social workers, students and professors of family law at law schools. It is endorsed by judges currently sitting in Ontario and New York State.

*100% of author royalties from this book will be donated to Children’s Wish Foundation.

This book is available where ever books are sold, amazon.com and amazon.ca and many other online book seller sites.

Entry Filed under: Divorce resources, best interests of the children, divorce, divorce options, legal divorce, litigation. .