In the second chapter, the judge recommends alternatives to conventional divorce, specifically mediation and collaborative divorce.

He advises couples that by using an alternative like collaborative divorce they will save time and money and be happier with their settlement.  “Alternatives to going to court take place in a private setting in which the goal is to find an agreement acceptable to both of you,” he points out, while “a judge’s decree often produces unpredictable results that at least one of you will hate.”