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<b>Introduction.</b> <p><b>Part I: When Your Marriage Is on the Rocks.</b></p> <p>Chapter 1: Divorce Fundamentals.</p> <p>Chapter 2: Avoiding a Divorce.</p> <p>Chapter 3: Getting Your Finances in Order.</p> <p>Chapter 4: Putting Your Marriage On Hold with a Separation.</p> <p><b>Part II: Getting Your Divorce Going.</b></p> <p>Chapter 5: Taking the First Steps.</p> <p>Chapter 6: Breaking the News to Your Kids.</p> <p>Chapter 7: Handling the Emotions of Divorce.</p> <p><b>Part III: Deciding the Basic Issues in Your Divorce.</b></p> <p>Chapter 8: Dividing Your Assets and Your Debts.</p> <p>Chapter 9: Considering Spousal Support.</p> <p>Chapter 10: Choosing the Best Custody Arrangement for Your Kids.</p> <p>Chapter 11: Using Child Support to Provide For Your Children.</p> <p><b>Part IV: Working Out the Details of Your Divorce.</b></p> <p>Chapter 12: Negotiating Your Own Divorce.</p> <p>Chapter 13: Finding a Divorce Attorney.</p> <p>Chapter 14: Working Hand in Hand with Your Attorney.</p> <p>Chapter 15: Using Mediation to End Divorce Stalemates.</p> <p>Chapter 16: Letting a Judge or Jury Decide the Details of Your Divorce.</p> <p><b>Part V: After You’re Officially Divorced: Avoiding Problems and Handling Challenges.</b></p> <p>Chapter 17: Focusing on Your Postdivorce Financial Life.</p> <p>Chapter 18: Resolving the Stickiest Issues after Divorce.</p> <p>Chapter 19: Putting Your Personal Life Back on Track.</p> <p><b>Part VI: The Part of Tens.</b></p> <p>Chapter 20: Ten Divorce to Check Out.</p> <p>Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Help Your Kids Handle Your Divorce.</p> <p>Chapter 22: Ten Tips for Getting On with Your Life.</p> <p><b>Index.</b></p>

<p><b>John Ventura</b> 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. <b>Mary Reed</b> 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.

<p><b><i>Learn to:</i></b> <ul> <li>Evaluate your options in light of changes in the law</li> <li>Minimize legal, financial, and personal stress</li> <li>Get more of what you want from negotiations</li> <li>Utilize the latest statistics, Web sites, and resources</li> </ul> <p><b>Now updated — your realistic, reassuring guide to surviving divorce</b> <p>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. <ul> <li><b>Understand the divorce process</b> — review the key issues and decisions, get your finances in order, and file the petition</li> <li><b>Decide whether divorce is the best option</b> — weigh the pros and cons of separation, consider marriage counseling, and learn about annulments</li> <li><b>Put things in motion</b> — initiate the proceedings, break the news to your spouse and children, and deal with your emotions</li> <li><b>Make important and difficult decisions</b> — divide your assets and debts, make a case for spousal support, and get the best custody arrangement for your children</li> <li><b>Protect yourself</b> — plan for life after divorce, safeguard your money, and take action if things turn unfriendly or dangerous</li> <li><b>Avoid a divorce trial</b> — negotiate your own divorce, seek help from an attorney, and work with a mediator</li> <li><b>Handle postdivorce challenges</b> — meet your financial obligations, deal with visitation and child support problems, and get your personal life back on track</li> </ul> <p><b>Open the book and find:</b> <ul> <li>What to do before you file for divorce</li> <li>Tips for finding a competent, affordable divorce attorney</li> <li>Help for managing your finances during and after divorce</li> <li>Advice on helping children cope</li> <li>Divorce blogs, Web sites, and support groups</li> <li>Ways to rebuild your life after divorce</li> <li>How to utilize mediation when negotiations get rough</li> <li>Alternatives to divorce</li> </ul>

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