Seven Must-Read Books About Divorce & Separation Family Law

Going through the process of divorce can be isolating and lonely. Many people do not realize the financial, legal, and emotional costs of the divorce process upfront.

Whether you and your former spouse are amicable or not, separations and divorces are difficult. It is important to understand the legal and emotional implications of this type of familial adjustment.

Reading about the emotional and legal dynamics of divorce can help you to be fully prepared for the journey ahead.

The following books are must-reads for understanding divorce and legal separation.

1. The New Rules of Divorce:  Twelve Secrets to Protecting Your Wealth, Health, and Happiness – Jacqueline Newman

Newman is a renowned divorce lawyer located in New York City. In this book, she discusses her perspective on the financial and legal aspects of the divorce process.

She helps her readers to prepare for the challenges that they might face. Her focus is on the protection of her readers’ rights and livelihoods.

Newman details strategies for protecting your assets while uncoupling.

2. Two Homes, One Childhood:  A Parenting Plan to Last a Lifetime – Robert E. Emery 

Every divorce is challenging. When children are involved, things become much more complex. Emery’s standout book offers parenting strategies for divorcing partners.

The aim of these strategies is to ensure that the needs of the child are thoroughly met. The author is a therapist, family mediator, and researcher.

This book offers a unique perspective to help ex-partners remain good parents.

3. The State of Affairs:  Rethinking Infidelity – Esther Perel

Many marriages end because of some type of infidelity. Esther Perel is an experienced couples’ therapist who has written extensively about setting more realistic expectations on romantic partnerships.

In this book, she explores the concept of affairs in modern life. While it is not primarily about legal questions, this text is invaluable for understanding the emotional difficulties that cultural assumptions can engender.

Divorce is both a legal and emotional process. Perel is an unparalleled expert on human relationships and how they can change over time.

4. Navigating Emotional Currents in Collaborative Divorce:  A Guide to Enlightened Team Practice – Kate Scharff and Lisa Herrick

This text is more technical than the ones mentioned above. It is intended to advise professionals that are involved in collaborative divorce, including attorneys.

In collaborative divorces, spouses try to create unique solutions that work for everyone. This book explains collaborative divorce strategies from both the logistical and emotional perspectives.

5. Surviving Separation and Divorce – Loriann Hoff Oberlin

This book provides readers with important tools for rebuilding a life during and after divorce. Oberlin offers guidance about self-esteem, parenting, dealing with the court system, and more.

This engaging text has helped many people through the difficult process of ending a marriage.

6. Nolo’s Essential Guide to Divorce – Emily Doskow

Emily Doskow is an experienced family law attorney. Here, she explains how to minimize conflict, avoid costly legal mistakes, and ensure a cost-effective divorce.

This guide is an excellent place to start for anyone with questions about the legalities of divorce.

7. Ex-Etiquette for Parents:  Good Behavior After a Divorce or Separation – Jann Blackstone-Ford and Sharyl Jupe

Our final must-read book focuses on parenting tools for those who have gone through divorce or legal separation. The authors offer real-world scenarios and examples.

Ex-Ettiquette for Parents provides tools for constructive engagement with ex-partners. This book is useful for developing good attitudes and communication skills around parenting, during and after a divorce.