"Learn your legal rights and options. Negotiate property division and financial support, protect your children's best interests, avoid expensive court battles"--Cover.

Presents a step-by-step guide through every aspect of the divorce process, and includes updated information on latest state rules for divorce.

Introduction : your divorce companion -- Getting oriented -- First steps after you decide to divorce -- When you can agree : uncontested divorce -- Working it out : divorce mediation -- When you can't agree : contested divorce and trial -- Custody decisions and parenting -- Custody disputes -- Child support -- Yours, mine, and ours : basics of marital property -- Yours, mine, and Uncle Sam's : dividing property -- Spousal support and health insurance -- Military divorce : special issues -- Getting it in writing : preparing your marital settlement agreement -- Critical care : when things really go wrong -- After the divorce -- Getting help, finding information, and looking stuff up.