A Guide to a Sensible Divorce: Answers to your Questions

"Deborah Graham, Alison Anderson and Stella Kavoukian have written an incredibly helpful book. Unlike other books on divorce, they start not with answers, or a flood of abstract general information, but instead with questions, and good ones, difficult and important ones that each of us needs to answer. If it is possible for a guide to divorce to be friendly, this book does it, without skimping on the details or offering platitudes instead of sound advice. The authors' separate areas of expertise track the questions we most seek answers to, and their breadth of experience and accumulated wisdom shine through. I recommend it highly."
- Kenneth Cloke, author of Mediating Dangerously and The Dance of Opposites

"Sensitive, thoughtful, practical guide for those seeking to limit the emotional and financial costs of separation and divorce."
- Irwin S. Butkowsky, Ph.D., C. Psych. Psychologist

"This guide is a comprehensive and practical tool for parents as they navigate the stresses of separation and divorce. It addresses common issues that parents struggle with including how to: explain divorce to children, provide appropriate emotional support, understand children's grief, select a child therapist and respond to children's reunification fantasies. It is an invaluable resource that will help parents support their child's healthy adjustment to divorce. Highly recommended!"
- Liana Lowenstein, MSW, author of Creative Interventions for Children of Divorce and Cory Helps Kids Cope with Divorce

"There are lots of books available to help people untangle the complexities of divorce - but the Guide to a Sensible Divorce is unique in that it reads like a simple question and answer guide while also providing comprehensive and critical information about the emotional, financial and legal aspects of a process that can be overwhelming. A great resource for anyone going through a separation/divorce."
- Vivian Alterman MBA, CPA, CBV

The decisions that need to be made in the midst of a separation and divorce can lead to many questions. This guide provides clear and practical answers to the most commonly asked questions relating to parenting, legal, and financial issues that may arise, including tips on choosing the right process for you and what professionals you may need.
The authors have a combined 75+ years of experience in negotiation, mediation, and collaborative practice. Deborah (lawyer) provides a legal overview as well as negotiation tips and guidance on how to know when to settle. Stella (social worker/family professional) provides guidance on how to support your children, and what to consider when developing a parenting plan. Alison (financial professional) shows how you may be able to increase your combined family income, provides insight into the various financial decisions you may face, and offers ideas on sharing expenses for your children. These are just a few examples of the challenging issues separating couples may face, and the practical information the authors provide.

Stella Kavoukian has a Master of Social Work and is accredited as an advanced collaborative professional. She has over 25 years of clinical experience working as a child, adult, and family therapist, and trains professionals in the area of separation and divorce. She works with parents in developing cooperative parenting plans and encouraging effective communication and resolution. Stella believes that an empathic approach allows for the building of trust and mutual respect, and that responsible, kind co-parenting is the foundation for positively supporting children when parents separate. Alison Anderson is a Certified Financial Planner, Financial Divorce Specialist and trained family mediator. She is accredited as an advanced collaborative professional and teaches collaborative practice courses. Her practice, located in the Toronto area, has been dedicated to working with clients going through separation and divorce since 2010. The added value that she brings to the process allows clients to fully understand all aspects of their financial situation and the impact of the options available to them, and to maximize income-saving opportunities and social benefits. Deborah Graham is a family lawyer and is accredited both as a family mediator and an advanced collaborative professional. She has over 25 years of experience working with separating and divorcing families. Deborah teaches introductory and advanced collaborative process and mediation courses and is a sought-after international trainer. She is passionate about empowering clients with legal information and negotiation coaching so they can fully participate in settlement discussions in both the collaborative process and mediation, and so that they can feel confident in making decisions as they move forward with their lives. Illustrations by Chloe Kavoukian-Scharf. Chloe lives in Toronto and is an Ontario Certified Teacher for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. She enjoys incorporating art and creativity into her work and paints as a hobby.