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Table of Contents
Introduction: How to Use this Book

Chapter 1: The Basics
Unilateral No-Fault Divorce, Mutual Consent No-Fault Divorce, Divorce Laws, Courts, Prothonotaries, Residency, 'Common Law' Marriage, Separation, The Divorce Process, Lawyers

Chapter 2: Property
Equitable Distribution, Definition of Nonmarital Property, Equitable Distribution Considerations, When s Formal Agreement is Unnecessary, Tax Consequences, Real and Personal Property, Finality of the Property Agreement, Property Distribution Issues, Documents Needed to Begin Inventory, Inventory and Appraisement, Filling in Inventory and Appraisement Forms, Liabilities, Inventory and Appraisement Cover Sheet, Statement of Income and Expense, Real Property, Dividing Real Property, Dividing Stock Option and Profit Sharing Plans, Retirement and Pension Plans, Social Security Benefits, Federal Pension Benefits and Military Pensions, Divorce Mediators, Composing The Property Settlement Agreement, Sample Agreement Clauses, Property Division

Chapter 3: Alimony and Child Support
Making Your Own Decisions, Court Determination of Alimony, Enforcement of Alimony, 'Rehabilitative' Alimony, Child Support, Determining Child Support, Support Guidelines, Deviation from Support Guidelines, Method of Paying Child Support, Modification of Child Support, The Support Agreement, Sample Alimony and Support Agreement Clauses

Chapter 4: Child Custody
Grandparents, Child's Best Interest, Siblings, Uniform Child Custody, Counseling, Legal Terms, Reaching a Custody Decision, Stipulation, Some Sample Custody Clauses

Chapter 5: The Settlement Agreement
When to Write Out The Agreement, The Form of the Agreement, Sample Settlement Agreement

Chapter 6: The Complaint
Marriage Certificate, Plaintiff and Defendant, Establishing Jurisdiction, Composing the Complaint, Sample Complaint in Divorce

Chapter 7: Filing for Divorce
Local Rules, Notaries, Filing Fees, Custody Filing, The Filing Process, Filing the Complaint, Notice to Defend, Marriage Certificate, The Counsel Notice, Affidavit of Non-Military Service, Putting the Complaint in Divorce Package Together, Serving the Defendant with the Complaint, Affidavit of Consent, Praecipe to Transmit Record, Final Decree, Retaking Prior Name, Enforcement of the Agreement, Sample Forms

Appendix A: County Courts
Appendix B: Glossary
Appendix C: Blank Forms

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