Laura Wasser Quotes

Powerful Laura Wasser for Daily Growth

About Laura Wasser

Laura Wasser (born on August 13, 1967) is an American attorney, mediator, and author, best known for her work in family law, particularly celebrity divorces. Despite her fame in the legal field, she also ventured into writing with her book, "It Doesn't Have to Be That Way: How to Divorce Without Destroying Your Family or Bankrupting Yourself" published in 2013. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Wasser was inspired by her own parents' divorce when she was young, leading her to pursue a career in family law. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara for her undergraduate studies before earning her Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School in 1993. Wasser started her legal career working for several prestigious Los Angeles-based law firms before opening her own firm, Wasser Cooperman Muhammad & The Van Der Meid Law Firm, in 2001. Her clients have included high-profile individuals such as Johnny Depp, Heidi Klum, and Jennifer Garner. In addition to her legal practice, Wasser has been a regular guest on various television shows, providing insights into celebrity divorces and family law matters. She also co-hosted the Bravo TV show "Family Court with Judge Laura Nadrich" in 2015. In her book, "It Doesn't Have to Be That Way," Wasser shares her philosophy on divorce that emphasizes the importance of keeping the focus on the children and finding ways to resolve disputes amicably. The book provides practical advice for couples going through a divorce, helping them navigate the process with less stress and financial strain. Laura Wasser's unique blend of legal expertise, celebrity exposure, and empathetic approach has made her a influential figure in the world of family law and beyond.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The art of negotiation is the ability to listen and be heard at the same time."

This quote emphasizes the importance of active listening and effective communication in the process of negotiation. To truly negotiate successfully, one must not only express their own thoughts clearly but also understand and respond appropriately to the other party's perspectives. By combining these skills, a negotiator can create an environment where both parties feel heard and valued, ultimately leading to a more satisfying resolution for all involved.


"Divorce is not a failure; it's a reorganization."

This quote by Laura Wasser suggests that divorce should not be viewed as a personal or marital failure, but rather a necessary process of restructuring one's life to better accommodate new circumstances when a marriage ends. It implies that while ending a marriage can be emotionally challenging, it is also an opportunity for both parties to move forward and find personal happiness in different ways.


"I think what people need when they go through a divorce is support, guidance, and a little tough love."

This quote by Laura Wasser implies that individuals going through a divorce require emotional support, practical advice, and a firm approach to help them navigate the challenging process. The "tough love" aspect suggests that, at times, difficult truths or actions may be necessary for personal growth and moving forward, even though they might be uncomfortable or painful in the short term. Overall, this quote emphasizes the importance of compassionate yet resilient guidance during a tumultuous life event.


"People don't realize that the most important thing about divorce isn't property or money - it's the children."

This quote emphasizes that in a divorce, the well-being and emotional health of the children should be the primary concern over material possessions and financial matters. It highlights that a divorce can have profound effects on children, shaping their future relationships, self-esteem, and overall psychological development. Thus, it is crucial for parents to prioritize their children's interests during this challenging time.


"When you get divorced, it changes you forever. It's a life-altering event, and people need to understand that and have realistic expectations about what the process will be like."

This quote emphasizes the profound impact of divorce on individuals, positioning it as a life-changing experience that leaves lasting effects. The process is described as 'life-altering', suggesting significant transformation in one's personal, emotional, and possibly financial state. It encourages people to have realistic expectations about the challenges they may face during and after the divorce, emphasizing the importance of understanding that this event will impact them deeply.


Do I believe in coupling? Do I believe in commitment? Do I believe in co-parenting, raising children together, having a family, and growing old with someone? I absolutely believe in all of those things. I just don't believe that you need to be married to do that. I love going to weddings, though. I do love a good wedding.

- Laura Wasser

Love, Believe, Weddings, Though

As a society, we've evolved, and we've recognized that the American family structure has undergone enormous changes. Divorce is all around us, and who among us doesn't know someone who is divorced or has been impacted by divorce. It's not as scandalous as it was.

- Laura Wasser

Changes, Been, Evolved, Undergone

Sometimes, just the act of venting is helpful. Counseling provides a safe haven for precisely that kind of free-ranging release: You can say things in the therapist's office, with the therapist present, that would be incendiary or hurtful in your living room.

- Laura Wasser

Office, Release, Incendiary, Counseling

Just as you go to the gym regularly to keep your body fit, regular couples counseling can keep your relationship fit as well.

- Laura Wasser

Go, Couples, Your, Counseling

Like the marriage contract you entered into, your divorce is a legal transaction. Treat it that way. Try not to let emotion, hurt, fear or anger dictate the circumstances of your discussions or negotiations.

- Laura Wasser

Treat, Circumstances, Like, Hurt

Once you do embark upon the separation or divorce process, it is very important to remember three key things: Be kind, be reasonable, be brief. Remember that this person will no longer be your spouse, but he or she will continue to be your co-parent, family member, and perhaps business partner in certain assets or entities.

- Laura Wasser

Reasonable, Very, Your, Divorce

Especially where financial matters are concerned, when it comes to dissolving a marriage, any dissembling at all is strictly against the law - on penalty of perjury. You need to disclose fully and factually, which is precisely what the discovery process is all about.

- Laura Wasser

Financial, Concerned, Perjury

Evening bags should be just big enough for my phone, lipstick, house key, and credit card.

- Laura Wasser

Enough, Big, Bags, Key

For me, I don't participate in the filming when I represent a reality show star in a case, because that would mean waiving my right to attorney-client privilege, and that would hamper my ability to mount an effective case.

- Laura Wasser

Star, Show, Participate, Mount

I think if you're going to be in a relationship with someone, you need to be able to share the responsibility, the knowledge, the worry. It's not like it was when our parents or their parents were having lives where the mom just baked bread, and the husband worried about it, and the wife didn't know there was any problem.

- Laura Wasser

Mom, I Think, About, Baked

I don't know that human beings were meant to mate for life or be monogamous. But, for me, the aspect of marriage that is troubling is that it's a contract that is governed by the state, and I don't want the state to have control over my personal affairs.

- Laura Wasser

Life, Marriage, Aspect, Mate

If some people try to make a prenup into a pre-negotiation of a divorce... Well, that's really sad. But I do think that it's important to understand what each person has coming into the relationship, and what each person expects from the relationship. They aren't always fun discussions to have, and they can be very eye-opening.

- Laura Wasser

Some, Very, Discussions, Expects

To find a pool of lawyers from whom to choose, solicit referrals from other professionals you know or deal with - an accountant, banker or business leader. Check out Bar Association listings as well, and don't neglect Internet research.

- Laura Wasser

Leader, Deal, Other, Banker

A woman - even if she is the primary breadwinner - really needs to keep in mind that at some point, she may have a diminished earning capacity because of the fact that she will bear children. Of course, this is case by case. I had two kids, and it didn't really slow me down at all.

- Laura Wasser

Woman, Fact, Some, Primary

There's something about sitting face-to-face with an attorney in an office that enables people to come to grips with the very idea of divorce - or to reconsider the idea. Like a number of my colleagues - not all - I offer that preliminary consultation for free.

- Laura Wasser

Idea, Very, Grips, Attorney

Conversations about money certainly are not sexy, but they should give each of you some clarity and enable you to enter into your marriage with a better understanding of each other and what is important. Work and home responsibilities, joint or separate accounts, budgets, etc. are all subjects which should be discussed.

- Laura Wasser

Some, Other, Joint, Accounts

Everybody should get married - once. I was 25.

- Laura Wasser

Get, Everybody, Once, Get Married

Generally, there are no lightning bolts or magical signs that tell you when it is time to get divorced. When the bad starts outweighing the good on a consistent basis, you may feel that taking the next step is appropriate. It is a very personal decision and most likely should be arrived upon with the help of some kind of counseling or support.

- Laura Wasser

Next, Very, Appropriate, Divorced

I'm known for having crazy shoes. I have a total Napoleon complex - I'm only 5'4", and every heel I have is four inches or more.

- Laura Wasser

More, Napoleon, Having, Heel

I think it is really important that people at least have some potentially difficult discussions about what their expectations are - and not just financially - prior to getting married. It should really even happen prior to people living together or casting their lot together.

- Laura Wasser

Some, I Think, Least, Financially

One client's wife managed to steam the labels off all of the several hundred bottles in her husband's prestigious wine collection, so the collection was worthless. The husband hosted 'What's that wine?' dinner parties.

- Laura Wasser

Wife, Prestigious, Hundred, Wine

The only thing that's different between high profile or celebrity divorces is that you have to do all you can to keep your client and the details out of the media.

- Laura Wasser

Celebrity, The Only Thing, Client

My dad once said that in criminal law you see terrible people on their best behavior; in family law you see great people on their worst behavior.

- Laura Wasser

Best, Law, Dad, Criminal

I represent celebrities, but I am not a celebrity.

- Laura Wasser

I Am, Celebrity, Celebrities, Represent

I'm not a divorce monger by any means, but if you're not happy in a relationship, and you've grown apart, it's not healthy for a couple to stay together. It's better for kids to see two happy parents than two miserable parents.

- Laura Wasser

Miserable, Couple, Means, Apart

In seeking a lawyer, you are looking for an advocate, an expert advisor on the law and on your rights and responsibilities, a strategist, a negotiator, and a litigator.

- Laura Wasser

Law, Expert, Your, Advisor

You don't want to move in with someone and find out that they don't have auto or health insurance. That's a rude awakening.

- Laura Wasser

Insurance, Move, Auto, Awakening

There is probably no such thing as a good divorce, but clinging to an old idea of how relationships are unraveled can make a bad thing even worse.

- Laura Wasser

Bad, Old, Even Worse, Divorce

Dissolution and custody matters are the great equalizers. Having done this for a while, you do realize that everybody has the same issues. It doesn't matter how much money you have or how much power you have, you are always afraid you're never going to see your child.

- Laura Wasser

Your Child, Everybody, Your, Realize

The rarity is the sudden epiphany or single turning point showing you with dramatic clarity that your marriage is over, although that does happen. Most relationships hover on a precipice for years before one party or the other finally decides it is time to jump, and coming to the decision isn't easy.

- Laura Wasser

Other, Before, Your, Hover

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