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Fair Share Divorce for Women: The Definitive Guide to Creating a Winning Solution » (Second Edition)

Book cover image of Fair Share Divorce for Women: The Definitive Guide to Creating a Winning Solution by Kathleen A. Miller

Authors: Kathleen A. Miller
ISBN-13: 9780312354329, ISBN-10: 0312354320
Format: Paperback
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Date Published: March 2007
Edition: Second Edition

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Author Biography: Kathleen A. Miller

KATHLEEN MILLER is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who has helped women protect and grow their financial assets for twenty-five years. She initially self-published Fair Share Divorce for Women and its success led to this revised second edition. She is the owner and president of Miller Advisors, Inc., an investment advisory firm in Kirkland, Washington.

Book Synopsis

More than 1.1 million women are actively involved in divorce each year and all need solid financial advice to help make this transition less painful. In FAIR SHARE DIVORCE FOR WOMEN, Second Edition, Certified Financial Planner Kathleen Miller has created a comprehensive guide to help you completely integrate all the financial aspects of your divorce into a personalized and sound financial plan.

This completely revised and expanded second edition includes updated statistics, recent case studies that reflect modern marriages, complete indexing, and a comprehensive appendix of resources. Kathleen Miller has added new topics and chapters, including:

current economic impacts on retirement and benefits planningdealing with a disparity of earnings post-divorce career planning and maintenance strategiesbusiness valuation and successionlong-term care and other insurance provisionschild support and parenting planspre-and post-nuptial and cohabitation agreements Grounded in the experiences of her more than 3,000 clients, Kathleen Miller's advice is clear and concise. FAIR SHARE DIVORCE FOR WOMEN, Second Edition will offer you the guidance and support you need to safeguard your marital assets, and will empower you to take control of your divorce and financial future.

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments     xi
Introduction     xiii
What Should You Do First?     1
Divorce Is Like Riding an Escalator...
...While Also Climbing Up Some Very Steep Stairs
Divorce Comes in Many Different Forms
Get Organized as Soon as Possible
The Corporate Wife
The Wife as Alpha Earner
What Is the First Step?
The Five Emotional Stages of Divorce     11
The Emotional Stages of Divorce
A Maze of Emotions: Depression, Anger, and Lack of Control
Pre-Divorce
Decision
Final Acceptance
Mourning
Re-Equilibrium
Most Often Asked Questions About Divorce
How to Choose the Divorce Process That Best Suits You     33
Differences Between States Are Important
Which Method Is Best for Your Situation?
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring an Attorney
Checklist for the Initial Meeting with Your Attorney
Janice's Decision: Mediation
The Financial Implications of Contemporary Relationships     49
Why We Get Divorced
Contemporary Relationships
Lessons Learned
Living with Change Does Not Mean Dealing with an Enemy     71
No Fraternization!
Don't Talk to Him About the Divorce Case on Your Own
Don't Let Him Come Between You and Your Lawyer
Watch Out for Late-Night Telephone Calls
What Not to Talk About
Dealing with Your Husband
What Determines the Cost of the Divorce?     81
Using Multiple Experts
Working with a Team
Uncooperative Spouses
Complications with Children
A Road Map forDivorce
Preparation: 0 to 30 Days
Initiation: 0 to 60 Days
Analysis and Planning: 30 Days to 9 Months
Negotiation-Settlement: 30 to 60 Days
Implementation: 30 to 90 Days
Document Roundup List
Your Decisions to Make
The Budget Process     123
Budgeting Session One
Budgeting Session Two
Budgeting Session Three
Budgeting Session Four
Budget Maintenance
Postdivorce Budget Questions
Cash Management System-Today and in the Future
Protecting Yourself Financially During and After Divorce
Identity Theft and Divorce
Protect Your Credit Report
The Best Defense Is Vigilance
Closing In on Disparity: A New Era Deserves A New Divorce Model     159
New Era Needs a New Model
Alimony Theories: Old and New
Cultural Trends and Their Effect on Divorce
Securing an Equitable and Stable Postdivorce Life
Case Studies
Recommendations for Settlement Proposals
An Ultimate Solution to the Disparity of Earnings?
Financial and Tax Checkpoints Along the Way to the Property Settlement     177
What Will Postdivorce Life Be Like?
Sale of the Family Residence-Are You Money Poor and House Rich?
Tax Considerations of Other Assets in Divorce
Income Tax Returns
Divorced Women, Pensions, and Avoiding Poverty in the Golden Years     197
Retirement Benefits Are Not What They Used to Be
How to Value a Pension Benefit
Retirement Assets Divided with a QDRO
Retirement Assets Divided Without a QDRO
Other Types of Retirement Plans
Accessing Retirement Funds Postdivorce
Preparing for Life After Divorce: Restricted Securities, Insurance, Housing, Debt, and Estate Planning     219
Stock Options and Restricted Stock
Reviewing Your Insurance Needs
Adjusting Maintenance for Inflation
Postdivorce Housing Issues
Dividing Debt
Divorce and Bankruptcy
Estate Planning During and After Divorce
Prenuptial Agreements as a Component of Retirement Plans
Women and Investing     243
What Does Money Mean to You?
Bonds Versus Stocks-To "Loan" or to "Own"?
Risk Versus Return
Retirement Funds: How Much Is Enough?
When to Change Investment Options
Ready to Invest?
Choosing a Financial Advisor
Summary of Basic Investment Tips for Women
Some Final Thoughts     261
The Economically Disadvantaged Spouse: Case Study-Jake and Judith Jessup     263
Long-Term Marriage and Divorce: Case Study-Gerald and Barbara Hudson     295
The Role of the Career Specialist in Divorce     319
Notes     321
Glossary     325
Resources     331
Index     339

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