Divorce Declassified Classic Edition
COURSE Outline
INTRODUCTION
- My Background
- Using this Program
TOOLS & E-BOOKS
- Tools – Classic
- E-Books
UNDERSTANDING DIVORCE OPTIONS
- Select the Right Divorce Process
- Legal Separation
- Uncontested Divorce
- Mediated Divorce
- Collaborative Divorce
- Litigated Divorce
UNDERSTANDING DIVORCE LAWYERS
- Why is Divorce So Adversarial?
- A Typical Divorce Lawyer Profile
- Why a Consultation Is the Worst Place to Start Your Divorce
- Eight Secrets to Hiring a Great Divorce Lawyer
- Why a Lawyer Referral Can Be So Harmful to Your Case
HOW TO AVOID DIVORCE MELTDOWN
- Five Common Meltdown Scenarios
- Using Controlled Separation and Divorce Truce
CONTROLLING THE COST OF YOUR DIVORCE
- Having a Clear Outcome
- The Best Way to Deal with Information
- The Best Way to Communicate with Your Lawyer
- Techniques for Keeping Legal Fees Down
DEALING WITH THE D WORD: DISCOVERY
- Understanding Discovery – Why It May or May Not Be Important
CHILDREN, CUSTODY, AND SUPPORT
- The Parents You Don’t Want to Be
- Understanding the Legal Standard for Custody and Court Procedure
- Understanding the Different Forms of Custody
- Surviving a Custody Evaluation
- Why Doesn’t Anyone Do This – Third Party Custody Mediations
- What You Should Put in Your Custody Agreement
- How to Avoid Going Back to Court
- Understanding How Your Jurisdiction Calculates Child Support
- What Counts As Income For Child Support And Alimony
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR HOME
- Valuing, Selling, and Keeping the Marital Residence
DIVIDING YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY
- Making a Video and Creating a List
- How the Court Looks at Personal Property
UNDERSTANDING ALIMONY/SPOUSAL SUPPORT
- How Does Your Judge and Jurisdiction Look at Alimony
- Using a Budget to Determine Alimony
- Types of Alimony
- Tax Implications – Alimony and Beyond
- How and Why You Should Secure Your Alimony Payment
- How to Evaluate Alimony (also known as spousal support and maintenance)
YOUR RETIREMENT AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
- IRAs and 401(k)s and One Awesome Tax Exception
- Pensions and Early Retirement Provisions
- Stocks, Bonds, Stock Options, and Co-Mingled Funds
DEALING WITH TAXES
- Who Claims the Mortgage Deduction
- Who Claims the Kids
THE BEST WAY TO DIVIDE YOUR DEBTS
- Dividing Debt: Credit Cards, Auto Loans, and Mortgages
READY TO SETTLE YOUR CASE?
- Your Settlement Facilitator and BATNA
- How to Deal with Offers and Counter Offers Before Your Settlement
- How to Prepare for Settlement Facilitation
PREPARING FOR HEARINGS AND TRIAL
- Understanding the Purpose of and Alternatives to the Hearing
- Preparing to Testify
- Secrets to Effective Testimony
MANAGING YOUR EMOTIONAL STATE
- Picking Your Battles
UNDERSTANDING JUDGES
- Who They Are and Why You Should Care
- Why This Is the LAST Person You Want Making Decisions
PREPARING FINAL DOCUMENTS
- Why Your Lawyer Should Always Do It
TRAPS AND BLIND SPOTS
- Vacation Time
- Indemnification
- Bankruptcy
- Legal Fees – Who Pays for Violations of the Decree
OTHER HOT SPOTS
- Your Ex’s New Boyfriend or Girlfriend
- Grandparents
- School and Extracurricular Activities