Chapter 3: Legal Separation vs. Divorce

Chapter 1 of Storey Jones' book presents the Amicable Divorce Process, framing divorce as a business dissolution. It emphasizes organizing financial and family data into biographical details, assets, income, and parenting plans to ease the transition. Using tools like dtour.life, individuals can manage their divorce, cut costs, and reduce stress. A clear financial roadmap and professional collaboration lead to an equitable settlement.  Read more...

Chapter 2 by Kathleen Shack introduces discernment counseling, a short program helping couples unsure about divorce gain clarity through individual and structured couple conversations. It guides partners to choose between maintaining the status quo, pursuing divorce, or committing to six months of couples counseling. This process fosters informed decisions and smoother transitions.  Read more...

Chapter 3 by Kathryn Harry compares legal separation, which maintains marital status while allowing couples to live apart, with divorce, which permanently ends the marriage. It outlines considerations like emotional readiness, financial impacts, and state laws to guide the decision. Consulting an attorney is advised for clarity.  Read more...

Chapter 4 by Jeanette Soltys debunks common divorce myths, emphasizing that aggressive lawyers often increase costs without better outcomes, and that the Amicable Divorce Process offers a less confrontational alternative. It clarifies that labeling a spouse as a narcissist or focusing on fault rarely impacts divorce outcomes significantly, and instead, solution-focused mediation is more effective. Initiating an amicable divorce sets a constructive tone, reducing stress and expenses.  Read more...

Chapter 5 by Jeanette Soltys highlights the emotional, relational, and public costs of divorce, beyond financial expenses. It explores how litigation can strain family bonds, disrupt children’s stability, and expose private details publicly. The Amicable Divorce Process offers a confidential, collaborative alternative, minimizing conflict and preserving relationships.  Read more...

Chapter 6 by Tracy Ann Moore-Grant explores the difference between fault and no-fault divorce, noting that no-fault divorce, introduced in 1969, allows couples to end marriages citing "irreconcilable differences" without proving wrongdoing. While fault grounds like adultery or abuse can be used as negotiation leverage, most divorces settle out of court using no-fault processes. The Amicable Divorce Process emphasizes efficiency and future-focused solutions over costly fault-based litigation.  Read more...

Chapter 7 by Tracy Ann Moore-Grant contrasts the adversarial court system with the Amicable Divorce Process, outlining three divorce types: uncontested, amicable, and traditional/contested. Uncontested divorces involve pre-agreed terms, amicable divorces prioritize low-conflict resolution with professional guidance, and contested divorces involve litigation, higher costs, and longer timelines. The Amicable Divorce Network supports resolution-focused attorneys for efficient, less adversarial outcomes. Read more

Chapter 8 by Tracy Ann Moore-Grant outlines three universal divorce stages: information gathering, information assessment, and resolution. The Amicable Divorce Process streamlines these steps using tools like dtour.life to efficiently collect and organize data, avoiding costly formal discovery. It emphasizes mutual expert evaluations and negotiation to resolve disputes, keeping control with the couple for a faster, less contentious outcome.  Read more.

Chapter 9 by Tracy Ann Moore-Grant details the Amicable Divorce Process, a low-conflict, efficient alternative to traditional litigation, using vetted professionals from the Amicable Divorce Network. It involves initial agreements, streamlined information exchange via dtour.life, and dispute resolution through mediation or arbitration. The process keeps cases out of court, saving time and costs, with flexibility to exit if needed.  Read more.

Chapter 10 by Tracy Ann Moore-Grant compares divorce processes to a highway with three lanes: uncontested (fastest, lowest cost), amicable (middle lane, low-conflict with vetted professionals), and contested (slowest, most expensive). Amicable and collaborative divorces both avoid court, but amicable divorce offers flexible professional selection and maintains confidentiality, unlike collaborative’s fixed team structure. The Amicable Divorce Network ensures resolution-focused, fairly billed professionals for efficient outcomes.  Read more. 

• Chapter 11 Gray Divorce
• Chapter 12 LGBTQIA+ Divorce
• Chapter 13 Cultural Diversity in Divorce
• Chapter 14 Who Can Benefit from the Amicable Divorce Process?
• Chapter 15 Preparing Emotionally
• Chapter 16 The Psychological Stages of Divorce
• Chapter 17 The Role of Mental Health Professionals
• Chapter 18 Tips for Managing Stress
• Chapter 19 Hiring a Divorce Attorney
• Chapter 20 Using Divorce Technology

• Chapter 21 How to Talk to Your Spouse About Divorce
• Chapter 22 How Lawyers Bill Their Time
• Chapter 23 Building a Solid Divorce Team
• Chapter 24 Creating a Child-Centered Divorce
• Chapter 25 Types of Co-Parenting
• Chapter 26 How to Have a Child-Centered Divorce
• Chapter 27 Your To-Do List for a Child-Centered Divorce
• Chapter 28 Children’s Developmental Stages and Divorce
• Chapter 29 The Child’s Perspective
• Chapter 30 Complex Issues

• Chapter 31 Intimate Partner Violence
• Chapter 32 Personality Disorders
• Chapter 33 Handling Addiction in Amicable Cases
• Chapter 34 Pet Custody
• Chapter 35 Going Public with Your Divorce
• Chapter 36 Staying Clearheaded
• Chapter 37 Avoid These Common Mistakes
• Chapter 38 To Date or Not to Date?
• Chapter 39 Communicating Effectively with Your Spouse
  
• Chapter 40 Technology in Family Law

• Chapter 41 Using dtour.life in a Divorce
• Chapter 42 Our Family Wizard
• Chapter 43 Using AI Tools
• Chapter 44 Protecting Your Digital Privacy
• Chapter 45 Understanding Alimony: Spousal Support
• Chapter 46 Understanding Child Support
• Chapter 47 Overview of Financial Divisions
• Chapter 48 Create a Values-Based Strategy
• Chapter 49 Achieve the Best Financial Results
• Chapter 50 The Marital Balance Sheet

• Chapter 51: Valuing a Small Business
• Chapter 52 Complex Asset Valuation
• Chapter 53 Selling the Marital Home
• Chapter 54 Appraising the Marital Home
• Chapter 55 Post-Divorce Housing
• Chapter 56 Real Estate Collaboration Specialists
• Chapter 57 Overview of Settlement Options
• Chapter 58 Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Chapter 59 The Mediation Mindset
• Chapter 60 Types of Divorce Mediation

• Chapter 61 Resolving Impasses in Negotiation
• Chapter 62 Components of a Good Settlement Agreement
• Chapter 63 Qualified Domestic Relations Orders
• Chapter 64 The Tax Consequences of Divorce
• Chapter 65 Legal vs. Physical Custody
• Chapter 66 Create a Parenting Plan
• Chapter 67 Holiday Schedules
• Chapter 68 Long-Distance Parenting
• Chapter 69 Keeping Schools in the Loop
• Chapter 70 Co-Parenting 101

• Chapter 71 Relationship Between Children and Parents
• Chapter 72 Dealing with a Challenging Co-Parent
• Chapter 73 The Post-Divorce Checklist
• Chapter 74 Finding Yourself Again
• Chapter 75 Estate Planning After Divorce
• Chapter 76 Rebuilding Financially
• Chapter 77 Prenuptial Agreements for Remarriage
• Chapter 78 Cultivating Mindfulness
• Chapter 79 Moving Forward
• Chapter 80 Closure and Healing