Divorce For Dummies

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.

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