The Divorce Organizer & Planner

Another well organized, practical guidebook. Should be bedside reading before you say "I Do." Also a good reminder of the importance of record-keeping even if your life is sane.

My husband of 36 years asked for a divorce after informing me of a 3-week affair with a woman 4 years older who'd already had quadruple bypass surgery. Go figure! Shock doesn't come close to describing my state. However, I was not so shocked that common sense didn't kick in -- two days later I ordered several books on Divorce, including Ms. Sember's: I needed to protect what I could for MY future. The Divorce Organizer & Planner came in good stead. With tears here and there, I worked those sections that were relevant to me (I didn't need to consider child custody/support issues) and collected documents I would need to go through the divorce process. While I had a consultation with a lawyer to make sure I was collecting the info I'd need (and found out the Workbook was right on target!), I did not retain her right away -- nor did my husband seek legal advice. 4 months after "the news," my husband was killed in a freak accident. Because I'd "done my homework" with the assistance of the Organizer & Planner, I had all the documents and papers necessary to handle the financial and legal affairs that accompany a death: Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards, and Drivers Licenses for BOTH of us, Marriage Certificate, Life Insurance policies, Financial accounts, Lists of assets and liabilities, etc., etc., etc. I was able to obtain benefits, complete probate, and process life insurance claims forthrightly because all the information was readily at hand. Ms. Sember's book is really a must have for everyone, those contemplating a divorce or not. I really should make it a point to write her a letter and let her know how very helpful she was at a very difficult time in my life.

Brette McWhorter Sember's "Divorce Organizer Planner" is quite the useful guide. Not only has she filled it with many helpful forms, she has sprinkled tips throughout the guide's 17 chapters. Readers can read the book front to back, or skip to particular sections they need, be they protection issues, settlement options, custody matters, or even how to get the divorce rolling. The appendix, too, offers helpful information. There, Sember lists more than 30 websites, as well as a full reading list for adults and children. I particularly think Sember's tip of only venting to friends and family, not a lawyer, is a gentle reminder that divorce is, as far as the law is concerned, a business transaction. To deal with the emotional aspects of divorce, Sember wisely directs readers to consider mediation, which has a high chance of producing the best long-term results.

Divorce ranks as one of the most stressful events you can go through in a lifetime, even when it's fairly amicable, and many aren't. Even though your emotions are in turmoil, you have to be as objective as possible when going through a divorce to ensure that you (and your kids, if you have any) get a fair deal. Brette McWhorter Sember's book not only goes over every aspect involved in divorce, but provides practical, useful worksheets to help you stay organized. She provides tips on gathering, organizing and analyzing financial, household and personal documents and walks you through the divorce process. The book lays out the different options for working with lawyers, mediators and what happens in court. Anyone involved in a divorce would do well to order this book as soon as the decision is made to divorce.

It's hard to go through a divorce - divorces are often rated as one of the top ten life stressors. Brette Sember's book helps make getting through a difficult life event easier. While you will still have to deal with the emotional turmoil, following the steps in Sember's book will help you with all the practical things you need to do to get through your divorce proceedings. Getting organized not only reduces your stress level, but as Sember points out, it will help you minimize your legal costs. The book, written in Sember's practical, me-to-you style, takes you through the stages of divorce, and provides helpful lists and worksheets to help you organize the volumes of information you must deal with. She covers the major things like finances, property and child support and alimony, but also provides tips on little things, like talking with your lawyer's secretary. All in all, this is an extremely practical guide that will help anyone going through a divorce. It's hard to think about all the details during such a stressful time, and Sember's book is an extremely good solution for keeping on top of all the information you will need for your divorce proceedings.