The Smart Divorce: A Practical Guide to the 200 Things You Must Know [Paperback]

Susan T. Goldstein (Author), Valerie H. Colb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1999

Anyone thinking about divorce needs a reliable source of information that can keep it from becoming an expensive, heart-rending mess. In a convenient format, The Smart Divorce helps readers confront the most common questions and concerns, explaining what to do and what not to do; what to fear and what not to fear; and what is fact and what is misconception when ending a marriage.

Susan Goldstein and Valerie Colb have seen everythin, and they bring a voice of reason, humor, and sanity to this emotionally charged subject. Providing readers with the key to turning their divorce into an intelligent separation instead of an ego-driven showdown, using a format of questions and answers, do's and don'ts, and checklists, The Smart Divorce gives information on dozens of topics, including:
-Devising an overall strategy
-Coping with the issues raised during visitation
-Dealing with insurance, bank accounts, and taxes
-Preparing for the unexpected

With fifty percent of all marriages ending in divorce, there is a very real need for the down-to-earth, practical advice covering all aspects of the subject that The Smart Divorce provides.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Goldstein and Colb are experienced family law attorneys whose stated purpose is to prepare readers for the personal, financial, and emotional upheaval of divorce. They provide chapters on what to expect, the legal process, protecting the children, selecting an attorney, common pitfalls, behaviors to avoid, and mediation. The authors offer guidance on what to do about joint bank accounts, working out visitation arrangements, and whether to move out of the house when a divorce is contemplated. Their advice is frank and written in plain English. This is an agreeable starting place for those just thinking about a divorce. A more detailed choice is Margorie Engels Divorce Help Sourcebook (Gale, 1994), which includes grounds for divorce in every state, citations to related publications, and lists of organizations that can provide information and support. Also worth considering is Divorce for Dummies (IDG, 1998), a compilation of checklists and references to other resources, especially the Internet.Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach & Wilcox, Rochester, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Susan T. Goldstein is a graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law. She has practiced law in Beverly Hills, California, since 1979, and since 1982 has focused on family law. In 1994, she had a very amicable divorce from her husband. She lives in Los Angeles.

Valerie H. Colb graduated from UCLA Law School. A practitioner of family law since 1975, she lives with her second husband and her children in La Canada, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press (April 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582380473
• ISBN-13: 978-1582380476
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,826,019 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for anyone considering a divorce., February 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Smart Divorce: A Practical Guide to the 200 Things You Must Know (Paperback)

At last a practical, no nonsense, guide for those standing at the edge of the all too often frightening world of divorce. Years of experience by these two well-respected divorce lawyers are presented in clear, easily understood fashion; any one of the inside tips is well worth the price of the book. Getting divorced might not be pleasant, but it can be fair and amicable.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The smart Divorce, July 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Smart Divorce: A Practical Guide to the 200 Things You Must Know (Paperback)

Good advise for the wealthy but not for those with a small estate. If I was to follow their advice neither of us would end up with anything to start over. The lawyers would take it all.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No wonder this book is selling so well, May 25, 2000

By 

Louis J. Rose, co-author Make The Jerk Pay: T... (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Smart Divorce: A Practical Guide to the 200 Things You Must Know (Paperback)

The 200 things turn out to be very wise mandates for both women and men struggling with divorce.We were pleased to find that the authors exhorted spouses to pay their child support and to assert their rights to child support since it is not voluntary but a legal mandate. So...don't take out your anger on the kids!