Divorce is messy from beginning to end. Whether it catches you by surprise or it's something you want, divorce unsettles your life. You're making legal and life-changing decisions at a vulnerable time, most probably without practical experience or an understanding of the legal system. It's too easy to be confused and overwhelmed. Understanding the process will help you prepare for your own divorce. It brings order from chaos and presents divorce in a logical understandable way. A case study of my own recent nightmare divorce is examined as a cautionary example of what to do, what to avoid, and most importantly, how to survive it.