Table of Contents
I dedicate this book to my three beautiful children and to all children whose journeys take them across the path of their parents divorce.
Karen Stewart
No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
Albert Einstein
Praise forClean Break
This is a vital book for anyone pondering divorce or is about to go through the trauma of this life-changing event. Karen Stewart knows what she is talking about, having experienced a gut-wrenching termination to her own marriage. Clean Break provides a brilliant new alternative to resolving the dilemma of divorce. This practical step-by-step process will not only save considerable time, energy and money, but most of all it will provide a clear path for a hopeful future.
Les Hewitt, co-author of the international bestseller, The Power of Focus
Because of her important new book, Karen Stewart has advanced the debate on divorce into a new realm where the sadistic, exploitative, adversarial system can give way to a more rational and supportive process where the parents, kids and other important stakeholders can all create new lives with dignity and the perception of winning.
Dr. Peter Gregg, Negotiation Expert, and Founder & CEO of Success Lab
The journey through divorce shared so personally by the writer makes this book very difficult to put down. Karen Stewart exposes the abuse and manipulation of adverse practices of divorce law that, as a senior divorce lawyer, I too find frustrating. Her solution is the answer for many couples seeking divorce.
Gordon Ball, Divorce Lawyer
I have just finished reading Clean Break and want to say thank you. Its an amazing document that will surely become required reading for anyone going through the qualms and traumas of divorce. Congratulations to you for rising above such a difficult divorce. Your strength, tenacity and vision will change the way people view divorce and its processes. Your experience has made a significant difference in many lives, and the best is yet to come.
Barry Tuff, CityTV and Access Television
The Fairway Process of divorce offers a much less costly and stressful alternative to the legal system; the legal system is premised on the parties being adversaries and battling it out. As a practicing lawyer, I see the stress and turmoil families go through when dealing with divorce. Karen Stewarts Fairway Process offers those involved a lifeboat, a fair way to end their marriage and move on with their life, without becoming mired in the legal system.
Brian Conway, Lawyer
If you are even remotely contemplating divorce, then for sure read this life-changing book. Clean Break along with The Fairway Process will absolutely save you time, money, and energy, and months of unnecessary heartache. It is about time someone cleaned up the messy and costly divorce process.
Dr. John F. Demartini, best-selling author of The Breakthrough Experience: A Revolutionary New Approach to Personal Transformationas seen in The Secret
You guys are greatI would recommend you to anybody.
Leslie D., Fairway client
Fairway is the first ray of sunshine I have had since the thing started.
Brad L., Fairway client
[Acknowledgments ]
Creating this book was an unforgettable journey for me, one I could never have completed had I not surrounded myself with supporters whose guidance, wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional caring gave me the strength and the courage to persevere.
The friends and associates to whom I own debts of gratitude are far too many to list, and for those mentioned below, please know that words alone can scarcely convey the depth of my gratitude or the fullness of my heart.
Instrumental in bringing this book to life were the following dear friends:
Stephen Lund, a gifted writer who walked with me through the entire journey of this book, taking my drafts and thoughtstransforming them into this book. For your commitment and skill, Stephen, I am forever grateful.
My agent Kathy Hemming and my editor Don Loney who believed in this book and in me.
Les Hewitt (author of The Power of Focus), who mentored me through the lengthy and laborious process of writing a book, providing feedback and insights that really helped me raise the bar on what this book should be.
Dr. Peter Gregg (Success Lab Inc.), whose coaching and encouragement impelled me to take risks not only in writing a book but in challenging the status quo and launching an alternative to the present system of divorce.
Dr. Dennis LaMothemy psychologist, my friend, my light in the darknesswho gave me the gift of reality and taught me to create healthy new beginnings not only for myself but for so many others.
James Burgin and Jon Ward (Brandwithin), whose creative insights helped shape the vision of this book and the identity of Fairway Divorce Solutions.
My dedicated partnersSteve Booker, Shawn Boos, and Steve Nielsenwho have remained steadfastly by my side, believing in my vision, and allowing me the time and the space to write.
My Momthe best mom I could ever have dreamt of havingwho has always been there for me and my children.
My Dad, who has always believed in me and whose wisdom has been his greatest gift.
My sister Andrea and brother Jamie, whose unconditional love, patience, and loyalty never go unnoticed or unappreciated.
Susan, whose lifelong friendship and love are gifts Ill forever treasure.
Lloyd, a true friend whose love and support helped me through the toughest journey of my life.
My EO forum group, who showed unflagging loyalty, skill, and sensitivity in encouraging me to follow my passion.
The Fairway Divorce Solutions Team, who believe so strongly in the vision of a new and better approach to divorce, and who have committed so much time and so many resources to seeing it come to fruition.
All the authors I reference in this book, whose wisdom and forward thinking have enriched my life and inspired me to create and articulate a new divorce paradigm.
[Authors Note ]
Clean Break is a cautionary tale that begins with a narrative about my own journey through divorce, a narrative that is broken into three parts and which is intended to illustrate why I came to the decision to find a different solution to divorce and to contrast traditional divorce proceedings with The Fairway Process, to which the reader is introduced.
To achieve my goal of providing an object lesson, events described and opinions expressed are loosely based on my own experience, in part on the experiences of others who have shared with me the details of their divorce, and in part from my own imagination in order to complete the narrative. Dates, place names, personal names (with the exception of my own), and personal details are fiction. The words and actions of the fictional characters in the story do not directly reflect the words or actions of any particular person or persons.
The objective in writing the book is not recrimination, but to create a parable through which I hope to steer readers to a less painful, less expensive approach to resolving their divorce, and one that is humane and caring as best as can be managed in the circumstances.