Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Reading List for People in all Stages of Divorce

I have practiced in the area of family law (sometimes considered a euphemism for divorce lawyer) in the Rochester Hills, Michigan area for several years. The following books may be helpful for you to read if you are considering divorce, are in the middle of a divorce, or have just come through a divorce. Probably the most important issues in any divorce is preparation and support. Knowing what to expect from the process of divorce can help alleviate some of the loss and confusion associated with this process.


Contemplating Divorce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Deciding Whether to Stay or Go
by Susan Pease Gadoua

The book includes practical lessons in what needs married couples have and ways to fix problem areas in your relationship. By taking a look at the assumptions and expectations of the relationship with your spouse, you will be in a position to explore the reasons you are thinking about divorce.

Divorce and Money : How to Make the Best Financial Decisions During Divorce
by Violet Woodhouse

This book offers detailed and practical advice on how to look at your finances with a clear mind through this difficult time. Everyone needs to learn the hard facts about their financial future after a divorce.

The Divorce Organizer & Planner
by Brette Sember

This divorce workbook streamlines the process even when enduring a difficult split. You'll find easy to understand planners for everything needed to prepare for the legal, emotional, and financial aspects of your divorce.

Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce
by Emily Doskow, Attorney

The book is well organized and easy to read, without all the legal language getting in the way, but enough to make the information valuable. If you're looking for no-nonsense divorce information, try this book first.

Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way
by M. Gary Neuman

This book is based on the group session for children of divorced parents. In this book you'll find exercises designed to increase communication, understanding, and togetherness between parents and kids. You'll find suggestions on how to break the divorce news to a child, how to handle the holidays, visitation, custody arrangements, anger, discipline, co-parenting, single parenting, overcompensation, sorrow, custody fights, and much more.

Standing on My Own Two Feet: A Child's Affirmation of Love in the Midst of Divorce
by Tamara Schmitz

This book focuses on the preschool to first grader. The main points of this book are unconditional love and not being blamed for the divorce. Because of this book's positive attitude and easy-to-understand message, this book is an excellent choice for young children, and their parents.

Dinosaurs Divorce
by Marc Brown

Sometimes kids can express their feelings better through friendly, recognizable characters. Dinosaurs are beloved by most young kids, so when dinosaur-kids are going through difficult divorce situations, young readers can relate.
How to Parent with Your Ex: Working Together for Your Child's Best Interest
by Brette McWhorter Sember

With simple, commonsense advice, this book gives parents, both custodial and non-custodial, the tools they need to raise their children after a divisive divorce. The book encourages both sides of divorce to understand the other’s point of view. By focusing on the child, both parents are able to form a solid relationship with the child and maintain necessary, positive communication with the ex-spouse.


The Co-Parenting Survival Guide: Letting Go of Conflict after a Difficult Divorce
by Elizabeth Thayer Ph.D. & Jeffrey Zimmerman Ph.D.

Divorce is painful for everyone involved. However, when couples harbor resentment and anger toward each other, the children suffer even more. Too often arguments over visitation, holiday plans, and simple day-to-day events can send family's into chaos, pain, frustration, and very often acting-out in the child. This guide can help parents work through their conflict and come together for the children.

Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends
by Bruce Fisher

This book is written by a divorce therapist who uses a realistic, but comforting, look at the process of healing after a divorce.  This nineteen-step process walks you through the pain of the aftermath of divorce all the way to recovery. Many people say after they go through the process outlined in the book, they come out feeling better than they ever have.

The above are only some of the many books about divorce, separation and depression that you may find helpful. You should be able to find any of these books at your local library in Oakland County, Michigan.