By Margaret “Pegi” S. Price
Published by American Bar Association, Family Law Section
KF S47 .P75 2022
Recognizing that the judicial system is overwhelmed by family law cases and is, at times, ill-equipped to handle cases involving children with special needs, author and attorney, Margaret “Pegi” S. Price has drafted a practical guide that can help lawyers address the needs of these families better and prevent placing these children in crisis. She begins her book, The Special Needs Child and Divorce: A Practical Guide to Handling and Evaluating Cases, with a description of what special needs are, a discussion of pertinent legislation regarding disabilities, and some guidance to enable courts and attorneys to identify and handle cases involving children with special needs. She explains how special needs can affect a child whose parents are divorcing, why child support guidelines and standard visitation orders fail to meet the requirements of special needs children, and how maintenance and property distribution require special care. Additionally, she addresses some considerations in special needs cases, such as individualized education plans, 504 plans, and parents who themselves might have some special needs. Throughout the book, readers will find numerous practice tips, sample forms, pleadings, and checklists as well as a handy list of state and national resources and a bibliography of books on various types of special needs.