War or Peace: Avoid the Destruction of Divorce.

• Author: Werdell, Tia E.
• Position: Book review

War or Peace: Avoid the Destruction of Divorce

By Joryn Jenkins

The collaborative family law process is a constructive means of resolving family law matters, from prenups through divorce and post-divorce legal issues. In War or Peace, Joryn Jenkins captures the essence of her clients' various journeys through the turmoil of separation and divorce. We are able to explore, through the tales in the book, the different aspects of divorce that both the client and the professional face: the emotional roller coaster ride of the client; the stresses of the unknowns as to children and finances; the intrinsic and extrinsic values of assets, debts, and support; and the more unsavory conflict of payment of fees and the conflict of views between lawyer and client. The book follows the lives of those undergoing divorce from differing perspectives. Jenkins tells the story, for example, of an abused woman and her family; another story of a marriage of convenience; and a story about a transgender Army ranger. All of these stories have one thing in common: the promise of hope and commitment that becomes unraveled and lost. The journeys of these very real families are told as tragedies that sometimes, at least in the collaborative process, give way to silver linings.

The author tells these stories, not for the sake of simple storytelling, but rather to highlight the practical applications of the collaborative family law process. The book is not only compelling, but educational, both for the divorce lawyer and for individuals and families considering divorce or post-divorce actions. The book covers the "courtless" alternatives to the traditional divorce, which include the "do-it-yourself" or "kitchen table divorce"...