What Were You Thinking??: $600-Per-Hour Legal Advice on Relationships, Marriage & Divorce - Hardcover

Barondess, Mark A

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1597775002 ISBN 13: 9781597775007

Publisher: Phoenix Books, Inc., 2005

Synopsis

Wouldn't it be nice if you could sit down with a lawyer who normally charges $600 per hour without any concern as to the amount of the legal fees you would incur? To get some expert, straightforward advice for yourself, a family member or friend who is contemplating marriage or divorce? Now is your chance to blow the bank on legal fees without actually doing so. A top family law attorney for twenty years provides hard-won reflections and commonsense advice (with witticisms) on love, marriage, and living together. Don't even think about tying the knot, breaking up or starting all over again without reading this lively, invaluable book.

About this title

From AudioFile:

A celebrity divorce attorney says it's essential to understand the financial consequences of a failed marriage. Barondess is a reasonably secure, if somewhat rote, reader, but he's clearly a novice writer and reader and doesn't know it. What he does know is how many ways a failed marriage can destroy a person's net worth, earning ability, friendships, and reputation. He holds nothing back in describing the stupidity of former clients and their attorneys. The presentation is a broad lesson on selecting and working with marriage counselors, attorneys, investigators, expert witnesses, and judges. In spite of his vocal stiffness, the author keeps the tone relaxed with familiar stories, humble advice, and celebrity stories. T.W. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Publishers Weekly:

High-profile divorce attorney Barondess' book on marriage and its loyal partner, divorce, is not for romantics. Don't want to get divorced? Don't get married. But, "if you insist that the road down perceived marital bliss is a journey that you must embark upon," Barondess cautions, think of your future spouse as (what else?) a car, perhaps even a used car. Much of the advice here is nothing new (never marry for looks or money, make sure you and your spouse have similar values and life goals), but Barondess' reality checks-stories about private detectives, the ins and outs of spousal spying (and germane legal precedents), how to win custody battles-offer the from-the-hip dope normally found only in the confines of an attorney's office, though some of his suggestions are just as likely to end a relationship as they are to lay the groundwork for a successful one. (Having your intended investigated, and then sharing the report "for a lively discussion" might not go over too well.) Celebrity-penned essays conclude each of the 13 chapters, and though they're entertaining, some readers might be hesitant to take marriage advice from, say, Donald Trump or Gene Simmons. Barondess' informed and occasionally raucous examination of the institution is cheaper than consulting a divorce attorney or hiring a wedding caterer, and is well-worth a look before doing either.
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About this edition

• Publisher: Phoenix Books, Inc.
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1597775002
• ISBN 13: 9781597775007
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 291