The Complete Guide to Divorce Law

by Nihara K. Choudhri

If you are facing divorce, THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO DIVORCE LAW can save you thousands of dollars in divorce-related legal fees, and can help to make your divorce process less emotionally traumatic for... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806525282
• ISBN13: 9780806525280
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Citadel Press
• Length: 253 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Empowering, Comprehensive and Informative

FACT: Over 2.3 million Americans divorce each year. If you are considering a divorce or have already spoken to a lawyer, this book can help you save your money and emotional energy. The time you take to read this book will probably save you time in the long-run. Attorney Nihara K. Choudhri explains the divorce laws in all fifty states, gives helpful checklists and sample settlement agreements. The glossary of divorce law terminology is extensive. If you think marriage itself is complex, divorce is extremely complex. The index helps you find information fast. Through this book you will understand what you have to lose, what you have to gain and how you can settle out of court. After reading this book, I can see why some people remain married, no matter what. Divorce is an extremely stressful process and if you have decided against marital counseling and are determined to get out of a relationship, I can definitely say you should read this book, if at all possible. There are descriptions of the main reasons why people seek a divorce and these include emotional abuse, abandonment and mental illness. Apparently, a partner that leaves a house to avoid physical abuse is not considered guilty of abandonment. If you withhold sex from a partner, this can also be abandonment. So, there are lots of complex reasons why people want out of a relationship and they are well organized into five main areas. There are also discussions about property division, dissipation, dividing debts, dividing pensions, alimony, child custody, visitation, child support, mediation and many other difficult subjects. I really had no idea divorce was this complex and I am wondering if this should be required reading before getting married. In that way, you know what you are getting yourself into from the legal perspective. A portion of the profits from this book are being donated to The Center for Battered Women's Legal Services. Also recommended: Getting Up Getting Over Getting On: A Twelve Step Guide to Divorce Recovery and Daily Meditation by Micki McWade. If you still think there might be hope, no matter what, try reading: The Relationship Problem Solver by Kelly E. Johnson. Marriage can be a bit of a roller coaster ride for sure and may test the very core of human resiliency. ~The Rebecca Review

Outstanding Resource on Law and Negotiation

If you have never been divorced before, you probably have some pretty unrealistic expectations of what the process is all about. Many people believe that a judge is going to favor them at the expense of their spouse in ever single aspect because their spouse has been such a trial. Because of that belief, many people pursue divorces in ways that are harmful to their emotional and financial well-being while creating unnecessary hurt for their children. The reality is just the opposite of what most people believe. Only 10 percent of all divorces are tried. The rest are settled between the spouses. Lawyers can send letters back and forth all they want, but most troubling issues are settled face to face with no lawyers present. If you conduct a big campaign with your lawyer, you may only cost yourself money you cannot afford to spend and delay the results. This book can help you get a more realistic sense of what you situation is and what you can do about it. I strongly urge anyone who is even thinking about pursuing a divorce to read this book and think about its content and messages about how to proceed through the process.The book provides lots of information about the law which is what the book opens with. If you live in the United States, you will also be pleased to see that there is a summary of the law in each of the 50 states as well as the rules for where you can pursue a divorce. Forum-shopping can pay off for you. The book goes on to explain the law on dividing marital assets, alimony, child support, child custody and visitation rights. As an attorney who has been through a divorce myself, I found all of the information to be current and accurate. But be sure to check with your lawyer as well. The book helps you in that regard by providing questions at the end of each section to ask your lawyer. As a result, you will spend less time going over the basics with your lawyer . . . which will save you the cost of hundreds of dollars an hour of that lawyer's time. So the book has a big direct payoff for you.In the next section, Ms. Choudhri goes through how a negotiated settlement can be arranged . . . and explains all about those data sheets that your lawyer will ask you to fill out. There is also a helpful example to show how people can deal with sticky problems . . . and how lawyers do and do not help in the process.I would like to compliment Ms. Choudhri for being clear about the dangers of letting a judge decide the details of your future life. Although you think that divorce is ending your relationship with your ex-spouse, that relationship will continue for a long time through payments, children and other important connections. You need a divorce that works for everyone. If divorce is not necessarily a next step, I also suggest you read Relationship Rescue and the Relationship Rescue Handbook. Fixing your marriage is much less expensive and unpleasant than a divorce!Good luck!