Getting Divorced Without Ruining Your Life: A Reasoned, Practical Guide to the Legal, Emotional and Financial Ins and Outs of Negotiating a Divorce Settlement [Paperback]

Sam Margulies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2001

As a leading divorce negotiator and mediator, Sam Margulies has helped thousands of couples reach fair and amicable settlements. In this compassionate guide, now updated with vital information on changes in divorce law and norms, Margulies covers the legal, financial, and emotional realities of divorce in a straightforward, reassuring style. He takes readers through every step, from making the initial decision to finalizing the agreement, including:

• Why mediation is now the preferred way to divorce
• How to avoid the conflicts that often occur after the divorce is over
• How to negotiate successfully even when you are angry
• How to manage step-family conflict in the aftermath of divorce

With examples drawn from real-life cases, Getting Divorced Without Ruining Your Life explains how to protect one's own interests and negotiate a stress-free, enduring agreement that allows both partners to embark on a new life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

M. Gary Neuman author of Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way Clear and practical advice on important issues facing divorcing couples. Offers a valuable addition to the literature.

Sanford L. Braver, Ph.D. author of Divorced Dads If your marriage is ending, this revised edition can virtually save your life, as well as your child's. In pointing out the pitfalls of the adversarial system of divorce, Sam Margulies provides excellent advice concerning a far superior alternative: mediation. He arms the reader with everything you need to know to achieve a fair, successful, and civil dissolution.

Constance R. Ahrons, Ph. D. author of The Good Divorce Sound, helpful, and practical advice from an experienced lawyer/mediator. If you're going through a divorce this book should be on your reading list.

From the Publisher

"Clear and practical advice on important issues facing divorcing couples. Offers a valuable addition to the literature."--M. Gary Neuman, author of Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way

"If your marriage is ending, this revised edition can virtually save your life, as well as your child's. In pointing out the pitfalls of the adversarial systems of divorce, Sam Margulies provides excellent advice concerning a far superior alternative: mediation. He arms the reader with everything you need to know to achieve a fair, successful, and civil dissolution."--Sanford L. Braver, Ph.D. author of Divorced Dads

"Sounds helpful, and practical advice from an experienced lawyer/mediator. If you're going through a divorce this book should be on your reading list."--Constance R. Ahrons, Ph.D., author of The Good Divorce

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Rev Upd edition (November 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074320641X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743206419
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #878,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very readable, compassionate, and helpful book, August 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: GETTING DIVORCED WITHOUT RUINING YOUR LIFE: A Reasoned, Practical Guide to the Legal, Emotional and Financial Ins and Outs of Negotiating a Divorce Settlement (Paperback)

Having made the painful decision to divorce, I am trying to do it in the "best" way possible, in terms of the effect on our children. Being a lawyer myself, I understand first-hand what a poor solution litigation is to family problems. The author makes the very valid point that the legal process is liable to lead you to take actions that are contrary to your long-term interests: an effective parenting plan, the maximum financial benefit, and emotional health and well-being. Legal battles drive you apart, escalate conflict, and cost a lot of money. He suggests negotiation as an alternative, and provides a blueprint for the process.

One caveat: some of the information in this edition is slightly out of date, since it is from 1991. Also, if you are in a community property state, much of the advice on dividing up the marital estate is going to be inapplicable.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this one - even before considering divorce, September 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: GETTING DIVORCED WITHOUT RUINING YOUR LIFE: A Reasoned, Practical Guide to the Legal, Emotional and Financial Ins and Outs of Negotiating a Divorce Settlement (Paperback)

After my wife told me she wanted a divorce, I bought several divorce books and all were reasonably helpful. Then I stumbled on this one. It puts all the rest to shame. I wish I had found it earlier in the process, and am grateful to have found it when we have given only $5000 to lawyers who have done nothing but confuse the issues. If you even think you might ever get divorced, get this book. I wish I had read it years ago--I may have been able to prevent my divorce!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids are glad that I read this book, July 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Getting Divorced Without Ruining Your Life: A Reasoned, Practical Guide to the Legal, Emotional and Financial Ins and Outs of Negotiating a Divorce Settlement (Paperback)

My kids are happy because their father and I have had a truly amicable divorce. We work cooperatively as parents, so our kids have adjusted well although the situation has been painful for them (and for us). This book helped us to work out tricky custody and financial issues. It helped us avoid costly adversarial litigation. The book is sensible, down-to-earth and filled with good solid advice. We were fortunate enough to live in close proximity to one of Dr. Margulies' two locations of practice (NJ and NC) and to work with him personally on issues we could not resolve on our own. He is as excellent in person as he is in print! He has a good sense of humor, lots of compassion and a wealth of experience in dealing with sensitive subjects. I highly recommend the book, and I also recommend him as a mediator.