Divorce is never easy, so how do couples walk away from the process in the best legal, financial and emotional state possible? A new course at Broward College is designed to help women navigate the process.

``Everything about it can be scary and uncertain and women really need to have information,'' said Len Nassi, a certified financial analyst in Hollywood.

Nassi will be one of three instructors for a three-hour session called ``Second Saturday: What Women need to Know about Divorce'' offered Saturday at the downtown Fort Lauderdale campus of Broward College.

EXPERTISE

A financial planner who specializes in divorce issues, a divorce lawyer and family therapist will offer their expertise.

``This program is for anyone who is either going through divorce, thinking about it or having problems in their marriage,'' Nassi said. ``It might also be for someone who has a friend or family member having problems and they need information.''

The session also covers areas like splitting up property and assets, child support and alimony.

Second Saturday is a national community service program that was created 20 years ago. It's been offered in Palm Beach County, but Nassi said he believes the program is new to Broward County.

`NOTHING LIKE THIS'

``We really felt like there was nothing like this in Broward County,'' said Karen Wollard, Broward College's seminar coordinator for continuing education.

If there's a good response, Wollard said Broward College would like to offer the course every month.

Pamela Gordon, a Broward lawyer who specializes in marital and family law, says women often wind up on the losing end of divorce because they aren't versed well enough in issues like child support and alimony.

``A lot of women still rely on their husband or boyfriends to pay the bills and to take care of them,'' Gordon said.

DOCUMENT COPIES

She advises women to have copies of important documents like pay stubs, tax returns, IRA statements and other financial records. Sometimes spouses try to retrieve papers after a breakup only to find they're missing.

The course delves into taxes, property and other financial assets, determining whether mediation is right for you, networking with other women, dealing with a hostile spouse and helping with the emotional fallout.

``Sometimes the parents, when they are going through what they are, they forget the children are there and listening,'' said Dr. Bessie Fletcher of Hollywood, a clinical psychologist who will talk about protecting a family's emotional well-being during divorce.

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