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| Introduction | |
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| Being a Single Parent | |
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| Four Habits of Highly Effective Single Parents | |
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| What about Your Love Life? | |
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| Three Habits of Highly Responsible Parents Who Date | |
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| Inquiring Little Minds will Want to Know | |
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| Signs Your Child may need More Help than You can Give | |
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| Ask For Help | |
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| Additional Resources | |
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| Parental Responsibilities | |
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| Your Child's Misconduct | |
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| Physical Discipline | |
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| Your Child's Debts | |
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| Custodial vs. Noncustodial Parent Liability | |
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| Duration of Responsibility | |
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| The Legal System and Unmarried Parents | |
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| Theory vs. Reality | |
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| The Participants | |
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| The Law in Your State | |
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| Legal Research | |
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| Hiring an Attorney | |
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| Do You Want a Lawyer? | |
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| Selecting an Attorney | |
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| Working with an Attorney | |
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| Firing Your Lawyer | |
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| Court Procedures | |
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| Legal Forms | |
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| The Complaint or Petition | |
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| Summons | |
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| Supporting Documents | |
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| Filing with the Court Clerk | |
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| Notifying Necessary Parties | |
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| If the Other Parent Filed Against You | |
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| Court Hearings | |
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| Scheduling Court Hearings | |
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| Preparing Your Case | |
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| Witnesses | |
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| Presenting Your Case | |
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| The Judge's Decision and Final Order | |
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| Establishing Paternity | |
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| Paternity Law and Procedure | |
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| Establishing Paternity without a Court Proceeding | |
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| Scientific Tests for Paternity | |
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| Paternity Lawsuits | |
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| Preparing and Filing Legal Forms | |
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| Notifying Necessary Parties | |
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| Preparing for the Hearing | |
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| Custody | |
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| Custody Law and Procedure | |
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| Coparenting | |
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| Evaluating Your Situation | |
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| Preparing and Filing Legal Forms | |
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| Notifying Necessary Parties | |
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| Preparing for the Hearing | |
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| Visitation | |
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| Visitation Law and Procedure | |
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| Evaluating Your Situation | |
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| Preparing and Filing Legal Forms | |
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| Notifying Necessary Parties | |
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| The Hearing | |
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| Exercising Your Visitation | |
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| Child Support | |
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| Child Support Law and Procedure | |
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| Evaluating Your Situation | |
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| Preparing and Filing Legal Forms | |
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| Notifying Necessary Parties | |
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| The Hearing | |
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| Termination of Parental Rights | |
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| Termination of Parental Rights Law and Procedure | |
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| Preparing and Filing Legal Forms | |
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| Notifying Necessary Parties | |
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| The Hearing | |
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| Glossary | |
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| State-by-State Laws | |
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| Sample Forms | |
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| Resources | |
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| Index | |
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| About the Author | |