Life Lessons and Legal Lessons from the Celebrities from 2007, the year in review
By Erin S. Stone
In 2007, family law issues have been all over the news and have given we divorce lawyers a lot of examples to show our clients of what not to do. A few of my most memorable stories of celebrity divorces and other legal cases are here to remind us all that even celebrities are subject to the law.
Britney Spears: Britney is the story that keeps giving in the family law realm and the best example of a client out of control. Some strong advice for a client like this would include: Get help before your addiction gets out of control! In my experience it is much better to go before a judge admitting your faults and showing evidence of dealing with the problem, then denying the problem that is most obviously there. In custody fights, the judge is charged with deciding the best interests of the child and will reward the party that deal with his or her problems in a way the Court can objectively see and check on over time.
Alec Baldwin: Another story of the self-destructive client. If you can’t keep your cool (and many of us can’t in the heat of a hurtful divorce battle) at least don’t create evidence against yourself such as a recording of you yelling insults at your child or ex-spouse. In other words, if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say it on tape. For that matter, don’t say it in email or in writing either. If you simply cannot contain yourself and must vent, the best people to call and yell at are your lawyer or your therapist, neither can be forced to testify against you so you can get it out of your system without creating evidence that might be used in Court.
Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton: This seems so obvious, but clearly bears repeating: If you are drinking or taking drugs don’t drive, just don’t do it. First, it’s dangerous. Second, the criminal repercussions are very serious. Lastly, in the context of a divorce case, it may cost you custody of your children, it may cause a judge to require that you enter into treatment and it may cost you a bigger share of your marital estate.
William Gary: This famous and very wealthy lawyer sought to reduce his child support payment based on the grounds that the mother of his child was misusing the funds. Many people are surprised to learn that you cannot restrict the way the recipient of child support spends the money. You don’t get to control how your ex spends the child support. The fact that the custodial parent may be squandering the child support is not grounds to modify your obligation. You must be able to show a change in financial circumstance (based on Georgia law). Lastly, if you are going to agree to pay more than is required by law, understand that you may not be able to get out of it and contempt sanctions can be very serious. You can only voluntarily give your ex more money, but be careful about agreeing to a court order to that effect.
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