Divorce For Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback)) [Paperback]

John Ventura (Author), Mary Reed (Author)

Book Description

Series: For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback) | Publication Date: June 24, 2005

There’s no such thing as an easy divorce. But knowing what to expect and being prepared to cope with the emotional, legal, and financial complications of a divorce certainly lessen the pain.Divorce For Dummies, Second Edition helps you minimize the stress and strain of divorce by cutting legal costs and knowing everything you should ask your attorney and expect your attorney to ask you. This reassuring guide covers everything you need to know about divorce, including:

• Preparing financially for your divorce
• Putting your divorce in motion
• Telling your kids
• Division of assets and spousal support
• Child custody and support
• Hiring and working with an attorney
• Negotiating on your own behalf
• New laws covering common law marriages, homosexual partnerships, and parents

Complete with a directory of divorce Web sites and tips on how to move on, this is the resource you need to survive your divorce and thrive in your new life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"&an excellent investment&" -- Daily Mirror, 28 April 2004 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Get empowering tips for cutting legal costs and coping emotionally

Get through divorce proceedings and all the legal, financial, and personal stress

Divorce doesn't have to be about winners, losers, and huge legal bills. Filled with practical advice, this friendly guide demystifies the process, explaining revised family, divorce, and bankruptcy laws and current child support trends in plain English. You'll see how to negotiate terms, avoid costly mistakes, cope with your emotions, find support — and move on with your life!

Discover how to

• Assess whether you're ready for divorce
• Understand your legal rights
• Cut costs by negotiating terms yourself
• Find and work with an attorney
• Avoid going to trial
• Help your kids get through it

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (June 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764584170
• ISBN-13: 978-0764584176
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,034,451 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thorough, reliable, September 17, 2005

By 

Gerri Detweiler "host, Talk Credit Radio" (Gulf Coast, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Divorce for Dummies (Paperback)

Divorce for Dummies is a thorough overview of the divorce process and ways to make it easier and less expensive. I know the authors from interviewing them for my Internet radio show, [...] and other articles, and I know they are very careful in the resources and information they present. I also believe they really do have the consumer's best interest at heart.

As a consumer educator myself, I know some of the information -- especially related to finances -- is crucial. I've talked with so many people over the years who have been burned because they thought everything was taken care of with the divorce decree. Unfortunately, that's not the final word on how things will work out! That is especially true with regard to credit. If you have joint accounts PLEASE read their warnings or you may likely get stuck with your ex's bad credit for years.

Even if you have a great divorce attorney, he or she won't have time to cover all the topics in this book with you, so I recommend it to make sure you're well-informed. One more caveat -- make sure you get the 2nd edition of this book, which is the most recent!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Covers Many Topics, April 18, 2006

By 

Abbey Grace (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Divorce For Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback)) (Paperback)

This book hit on many topics and is a good reference book to use throughout the various stages of your divorce. Touches on a wide variety of things and generally answers some questions you might have. Some advice in this book I did not see in other divorce books such as what to do about debt in both of your names. Outlines what to do about credit card debt in both names as well as mortgage debt in both names. Mortgage debt is harder to get out of your name even if your spouse is awarded the asset. You are both still liable for mortgage debt until it is paid off or refinanced. Even if your divorce decree says that your former spouse is responsible for paying it. Book tells you how to communicate with credit card companies in regard to protecting your credit.
This book is worth reading because you will probably learn at least a few things you did not previously know.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview, July 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Divorce for Dummies (Paperback)

Overall this book covers a lot of important topics with regards to the whole divorce process with good explanations and definitions. While some areas could have gone into more detail and perhaps provided some worksheets or step by steps guides, I don't think any (critical) issues were left out. While some other books I've seen stated the obvious and left you thinking "well duh"...this book had good information throughout.