Divorce For Dummies

Since Divorce For Dummies, 2nd Edition published in 2005, there have been considerable changes in collaborative divorces, common law marriages, same sex marriages, visitation, and even custody laws (from children to pets). Divorce For Dummies, 3rd Edition includes 25 percent new, revised, and refreshed material covering all of the above.

Introduction 1

Part I: When Your Marriage Is on the Rocks 7

Chapter 1: Divorce Fundamentals 9

Chapter 2: Avoiding a Divorce 29

Chapter 3: Getting Your Finances in Order 39

Chapter 4: Putting Your Marriage On Hold with a Separation 57

Part II: Getting Your Divorce Going 71

Chapter 5: Taking the First Steps 73

Chapter 6: Breaking the News to Your Kids 91

Chapter 7: Handling the Emotions of Divorce 105

Part III: Deciding the Basic Issues in Your Divorce 115

Chapter 8: Dividing Your Assets and Your Debts 117

Chapter 9: Considering Spousal Support 141

Chapter 10: Choosing the Best Custody Arrangement for Your Kids 155

Chapter 11: Using Child Support to Provide For Your Children 177

Part IV: Working Out the Details of Your Divorce 195

Chapter 12: Negotiating Your Own Divorce 197

Chapter 13: Finding a Divorce Attorney 215

Chapter 14: Working Hand in Hand with Your Attorney 229

Chapter 15: Using Mediation to End Divorce Stalemates 243

Chapter 16: Letting a Judge or Jury Decide the Details of Your Divorce 251

Part V: After You’re Officially Divorced: Avoiding Problems and Handling Challenges 269

Chapter 17: Focusing on Your Postdivorce Financial Life 271

Chapter 18: Resolving the Stickiest Issues after Divorce 295

Chapter 19: Putting Your Personal Life Back on Track 317

Part VI: The Part of Tens 331

Chapter 20: Ten Divorce to Check Out 333

Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Help Your Kids Handle Your Divorce 337

Chapter 22: Ten Tips for Getting On with Your Life 343

Index 347

John Ventura was a small business owner, bestselling author, and board- certified bankruptcy attorney. He was also a national authority on consumer and small business financial and legal problems. Mary Reed is an author and journalist who has ghostwritten and coauthored several books on consumer law and money matters. She has also written for numerous publications.

Learn to:

• Evaluate your options in light of changes in the law
• Minimize legal, financial, and personal stress
• Get more of what you want from negotiations
• Utilize the latest statistics, Web sites, and resources

Now updated — your realistic, reassuring guide to surviving divorce

Getting divorced is almost never easy, but this practical, plain-English guide helps you get through the proceedings with a minimum of stress and expense. It shows you the latest changes in collaborative divorces, common law and same-sex marriages, and even custody law — and how to work out the terms so you can begin building a fulfilling postdivorce life.

• Understand the divorce process — review the key issues and decisions, get your finances in order, and file the petition
• Decide whether divorce is the best option — weigh the pros and cons of separation, consider marriage counseling, and learn about annulments
• Put things in motion — initiate the proceedings, break the news to your spouse and children, and deal with your emotions
• Make important and difficult decisions — divide your assets and debts, make a case for spousal support, and get the best custody arrangement for your children
• Protect yourself — plan for life after divorce, safeguard your money, and take action if things turn unfriendly or dangerous
• Avoid a divorce trial — negotiate your own divorce, seek help from an attorney, and work with a mediator
• Handle postdivorce challenges — meet your financial obligations, deal with visitation and child support problems, and get your personal life back on track

Open the book and find:

• What to do before you file for divorce
• Tips for finding a competent, affordable divorce attorney
• Help for managing your finances during and after divorce
• Advice on helping children cope
• Divorce blogs, Web sites, and support groups
• Ways to rebuild your life after divorce
• How to utilize mediation when negotiations get rough
• Alternatives to divorce