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