Talking about a divorce isn't easy whether the conversation happens in front of millions of people or in front of friends and family members. While celebrity divorces may get more attention, there is one thing that Georgia couples whose marriages are ending can learn from them. The biggest takeaway is that it may be beneficial to issue a divorce statement prior to, during or after the event has been finalized.
Initial consultations with family law attorneys
When a Georgia family decides that it is time for a divorce, the first step is for each spouse to seek an attorney. If there is no conflict keeping an attorney from being able to represent the person, they may set up an initial consultation.
Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale announce split
Georgia music fans may be interested to learn that musicians Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale have filed for divorce. They have been married for 13 years. According to media reports, the rock stars each filed divorce papers separately in Los Angeles Superior Court on Aug. 3. Stefani listed irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split in her court filing. Stefani and Rossdale are reportedly seeking joint custody of their three children, who are ages 9, 6 and 1.
Financial planning essential for divorcing couples
When Georgia couples find themselves under financial stress, they may think divorce is the solution to their money battles. This is not necessarily so, and without proper financial planning, spouses may find their financial situation is actually worse.
Prenuptial agreements and the Garner/Affleck divorce
Georgia residents may have read media reports during recent months speculating that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were likely to divorce. The prominent Hollywood couple removed doubt by announcing their plans to split on June 30, and the timing of the news has generated a new wave of conjecture. The announcement came just one day after the couple's 10th wedding anniversary, and many legal experts believe that Affleck and Garner waited until this date due to the terms of a prenuptial agreement.
Wife of Chris Rock wants alimony
Georgia comedy fans may be interested to learn that it was reported on June 16 that Chris Rock's estranged wife was seeking a large amount of his net worth in their divorce proceedings. The report stated that this request was made because she wished to have the ability to maintain the lifestyle that she had grown accustomed to.
Divorce and Social Security retirement benefits
Many Georgia entertainment fans may have heard that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are planning on ending their marriage. According to many media outlets, the power couple have in excess of $150 million in assets. Sources suggest that the couple seems on track to divorce before their 10th wedding anniversary, which means that they will be forfeiting some benefits they could have claimed in the future. From a retirement standpoint, waiting until after their 10th wedding anniversary might make sense to couples who, unlike the two stars, may have to rely on Social Security benefits in the future .
Common financial issues to consider in a Georgia divorce
While ending a marriage is an emotional event for many couples, allowing emotions to cloud an individual's judgment could lead to major mistakes during divorce settlement negotiations. For instance, not putting everything into writing could cause one party to the divorce to renege on a verbal agreement. An example could be a parent failing to pass an asset to a child because he or she is under no legal obligation to do so.
Jon Gosselin seeks custody of 1 of 8 children
Television viewers in Georgia who are fans of "Kate Plus 8" know that Jon and Kate Gosselin divorced in 2009. Their split did not happen on good terms, and the judge awarded Kate primary custody of 15-year-old twins Madelyn and Cara and 11-year-old sextuplets Joel, Collin, Hannah, Leah, Alexis and Aaden. Now Jon, 38, reportedly wants custody of Hannah because of her mother's allegedly cruelty to the daughter. According to tabloids, the girl was staying with her father in April when she told him that she did not want to go back to the family mansion because Kate is requiring her to be in new episodes of the series.
International abductions and Georgia child custody
Georgia parents who have gone through a divorce are often not aware of the complex ramifications of international, federal and state laws when a noncustodial parent takes the child or children out of the United States in violation of a court orrder. While courts generally take action to promote the return of the children to their nation of origin and enforce the original child custody decree, a Georgia court's power may be restrained by a number of difficulties.