This book is a practical guide for all those who are facing the potential trauma and expense of separation or divorce. Following the model of the 'Relate' titles, and drawing on case studies, it will guide couples through the legal maze and help them to know what to expect throughout the divorce and separation process-an an emotional as well as a practical level. The aim of the book is to help couples to avoid acrimonious divorce, to devise a divorce strategy on a realistic time scale and to achieve an outcome which is appropriate and satisfactory for all involved. The author is Thelma Fisher, Chairman of National Family Mediation in the UK. She is a trained mediator and former Relate counsellor. The organisation trains mediators to act in an impartial way to help couples and solicitors make appropriate decisions about the future of children, finance and property. Divorce reforms currently under consideration propose that mediation should in future become an integral part of the divorce process.