FICTIONAL EDITORIAL DRAFT · LOW CONFLICTThe Hartwell Divorce
A short, cooperative separation without children
Elena and Marcus married later in life and agree the marriage should end. Their main questions are how to divide two vehicles, savings, and household property without turning a manageable separation into expensive litigation.
2 months so farSacramento County, California0 children
THE SPOUSESElena Hartwell
Petitioner / wife · age 42- Work
- Senior veterinary technician, 14 years with the same clinic
- At the start of the marriage
- A paid-off 2018 Subaru and $38,000 in retirement savings
- Current priorities
- Keep the Subaru, preserve retirement, finish efficiently
Marcus Hartwell
Respondent / husband · age 45- Work
- Municipal fleet mechanic, 11 years
- At the start of the marriage
- A restored 1969 Mustang and $22,000 in savings
- Current priorities
- Keep the Mustang and reach a clean written agreement
This marriage has no children. The demo focuses on property, disclosure, negotiation, and final forms.
ASSETS AND ISSUES- 2018 Subaru Outback
- 1969 Ford Mustang
- Joint savings of about $31,000
- Two employer retirement accounts
- Furniture and household property in a rented home
PROFESSIONAL TEAM- Nora Chen — neutral mediator
- Alex Romero — limited-scope document attorney
CASE STORY- The couple separated six weeks before filing.
- Both exchanged basic financial disclosures promptly.
- A disagreement about the Mustang valuation delayed the first settlement draft.
- They are preparing one revised agreement and final forms.
EXPERIENCE THIS CASE AS…Choose a point of view
Each role opens the same fictional divorce with the information and tools appropriate for that person.