From the Book: Divorce Amicably
This is a chapter summary from Chapter 6 of  Divorce Amicably, a guide to navigating separation with dignity and cooperation.
Chapter 48 Author: Hirsch A. Serman
Hirsch Serman, MBA, CPA, CDFA specializes in the financial and tax aspects of divorce.  His values-based approach is to Prioritize ~ Organize ~ Simplify your financial life during and beyond the divorce process.  Hirsch is committed to helping each client understand the more complex tax and financial implications of his or her specific situation.
As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, a Certified Public Account, collaborative law trained, and trained mediator, Hirsch is uniquely equipped to recognize and creatively work through financial complexities, tax ramifications, and inequities in the settlement process that are often overlooked.
Chapter 48's Values-Driven Approach to Divorce Strategy
Most people approach divorce reactively—fighting over every asset, responding emotionally to each proposal, and ending up with settlements that don't actually serve their future lives. In this transformative chapter, CPA and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Hirsch A. Serman introduces a proactive framework that starts with identifying what truly matters to you, then builds a negotiation strategy around those core values. He reveals how understanding your priorities—and your spouse's—transforms divorce from a destructive battle into a strategic exchange where both parties can achieve their most important goals.
Serman provides a revolutionary budget framework that goes beyond traditional "money in minus money out" calculations, showing how to distinguish essential expenses from discretionary spending and use this knowledge to negotiate effectively. He demonstrates how trading items you don't value for those you do—perhaps giving up retirement assets for the house, or adjusting custody schedules for financial considerations—creates win-win scenarios that traditional 50-50 thinking never achieves. Most importantly, this chapter shows how viewing divorce as "the first chapter in the rest of your life" rather than an ending changes every decision you make.
Four Strategic Insights from Chapter 48
Who Needs Chapter 48's Strategic Framework
This chapter is essential for anyone who wants their divorce settlement to actually serve their future life rather than just dividing assets arbitrarily. It's crucial reading for those who've never managed finances independently, people overwhelmed by the complexity of divorce decisions, and anyone stuck in position-based negotiations going nowhere.
Perfect for individuals ready to think strategically rather than emotionally about their divorce, those willing to trade what they don't value for what they do, and people who recognize that "winning" means achieving your priorities, not getting exactly half of everything. Whether you're just starting divorce proceedings or stuck in negotiations, Serman's values-based framework transforms reactive fighting into proactive planning.
Get your copy of "Divorce Amicably" today and learn how to create a divorce strategy that serves your actual life goals—because getting exactly half of everything means nothing if it's not the half that matters to your future.
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