It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way: How to Divorce Without Destroying Your Family or Bankrupting Yourself

Divorce is a very different arrangement in the 21st century than it was decades ago. No longer is it a place where mudslinging and blame are relevant; family courts look to divide assets and provide what’s best for children. Wasser, a high-profile attorney handling celebrity and pro bono divorce cases, offers reasonable and helpful advice—including info about the preliminary consultation and telling your soon-to-be-ex that you want a divorce. Wasser counters the image of the manipulative divorce lawyer prolonging cases in order to claim more money. Above all, she reasons that starting a divorce well—that is, ending a marriage as it began, as a united team—is half the battle. If the couple in question has children, Wasser argues that it is best to remember that, no matter the logistics involved, kids and their parents will forever remain a family unit. Particularly useful are the tips Wasser offers: for example, when and how to tell everyone, and how to go about separating. The author also provides a Web site to help organize visitation and communication. But most of all, Wasser’s clear and encouraging writing will help individuals divorce as quickly and painlessly as possible. (Oct.)