Navratilova and Former Partner Fight Over Settlement

April 14th, 2009 by Hadley | Posted in Star Divorces | No Comments »

Martina Navratilova and her former partner, Toni Layton, ended their 8-year relationship over a year ago, but the couple are fighting over what constitutes a fair settlement. Layton’s lawyers contend the famous tennis star offered only $200,000 to the woman who dedicated eight years of her life to nurturing the champ’s career. Page Six reports: “Layton has tried to negotiate a settlement with the world’s former No. 1 women’s player for a year, only to have Navratilova’s lawyers threaten “to publicly discredit Toni and humiliate her,” Layton’s flack, Gary Smith, said. “[But] Navratilova’s team has another thing coming if they think we are going to just lie down and be steamrolled. The offer was an insult. Navratilova is using Florida’s failure to recognize gay marriage to her advantage.”

Navratilova’s spokesperson has refused to comment. However, Layton’s case is weakened by the fact that although Navratilova continued to play doubles long after she retired from singles tennis, her tennis career was clearly on the wane. Also, the fact that the parties never married is an advantage to Navratilova. Basically this situation equates to a heterosexual couple who lived together for eight years and then broke up. Unless the couple has property titled jointly, usually you just leave with what you have. Which means Layton is on thin legal ground. It would be different if Navratilova had put real estate in Layton’s name, or bank accounts, or something like that, because then Layton would have a recognized legal right to the property. Clearly Navratilova did not do that or the matter would probably be settled. I think Layton has a tough row to hoe if she’s hoping to obtain a seven figure plus settlement, which would explain why she’s taking the case to the court of public opinion. No doubt she’s hoping Navratilova will increase her offer to make her go away.

Gibson Divorce To Be Costly

April 14th, 2009 by Hadley | Posted in Community Property, Star Divorces | No Comments »

Mel Gibson’s wife, Robyn, has filed for divorce after 28 years of marriage. Although Robyn did not cite a specific date of separation, TMZ is reporting Mel Gibson’s legal papers state the couple have been separated since August 26, 2006. Gibson’s notorious DUI arrest was on July 28, 2006, and rumor has it the arrest caused a lot of strain in the marriage. The actual date of separation could have a huge effect if the case goes to trial. California is a community property state, meaning Robyn would be entitled to half of any money Mel earned during the marriage. If the couple separated in August 2006, Robyn is out any money Mel has earned in the intervening years. Both Robyn and Mel cite “irreconcilible differences” as the reason for divorce.
Another issue that could be effected by the alleged date of separation are photos taken of Mel Gibson kissing another woman a month ago in Costa Rica. Obviously if the couple have been separated a couple of years, it’s not as big an issue as if the couple just separated. What qualifies as “separated” can be in the mind of the spouse, but most people consider it the time they first started discussing getting divorced and/or stopped having sex. If Robyn and Mel moved into separate bedrooms, or separate homes, in August of 2006, Mel has a much stronger case that that is when the couple separated. Provided, of course, that they did not continue to have marital relations.

Is The Boss Cheating?

April 13th, 2009 by Hadley | Posted in Star Divorces | No Comments »

In a statement released the last time he was accused of cheating on his wife, Bruce Springsteen continuedto deny all rumors of infidelity. But one New Jersey husband claims Springsteen and his soon to be ex-wife have been having an affair for quite some time.

Divorce papers filed by Arthur Kelly accuse his wife, Ann, of having “committed adultery with one Bruce Springsteen, who resides in Rumson, N.J., and Colts Neck, N.J., at various times and places too numerous to mention,” according to NY Daily News. Ann Kelly’s father, who is a divorce attorney in New Jersey, denied the claims, stating: “My daughter is guilty only of working out in the same gym as Bruce Springsteen and of talking to him.” Carton also stated that his daughter’s marriage was marked by violence and said she recently filed a domestic abuse complaint against Kelly. Arthur Kelly, 45, was charged with simple assault on March 3 and removed from the family home in West Long Branch N.J., police said. Information about the disposition of the case was not available Thursday night.

The Boss has been accused of infidelity before. In fact, his marriage to current wife Patti Scialfa (also a member of his band) began under speculation he seduced her and cheated on his then wife, Juliana Phillips. His marriage to Scialfa has been marked by allegations of infidelity on his part, including rumors Springsteen had an affair with a 9/11 widow, which he denied.

So is this a case of once a cheater always a cheater? Or is this a delusional soon to be ex-husband, trying to stir the pot to gain some leverage after being charged for assault and removed from the marital home? Would Kelly’s attorney really make such claims without having some hard evidence of an affair? It will be interesting to see if Scialfa follows up with her own divorce papers, or this this just quietly goes away, like the prior rumors of Springsteen’s infidelity.

Caruso’s Ex-Girlfriend Sues For Support

April 13th, 2009 by Hadley | Posted in Child Support, Custody, Family Law | No Comments »

Liza Marquez and David Caruso started dating in April 2004 and moved in together later that year. Two children later, Caruso has dumped Marquez. Marquez has now filed suit stating Caruso had agreed to pay her over a million dollars and give her the home they shared during their four year relationship, in return for her quitting her job, at his request, as a travel coordinator. According to Marquez, Caruso told her her would “always be there” to support her financially and in other ways,” according to the AP.

Marquez also claims Caruso was verbally abusive and continuously accused her of indiscretion with other actors they came into contact with while they were at parties or traveling. Caruso’s attorney released a statement claiming the suit was filled with false accusations and Marquez is only upset over Caruso asking for a change in custody arrangements.

A million dollars for a four year relationship? Sounds like quite the deal. Not to mention the value of the home Marquez alleges Caruso agreed to give her. Too bad she didn’t get the deal in writing - it would have saved her a lot of time and money. Alleged deals aside, Caruso will be on the hook for child support payments for his two children. My bet is Marquez’s attorney fees will start to pile up, Caruso will figure it’s not worth the bad public relations to continue this battle, and the parties will quietly reach a deal.

“Housewife” to Divorce and Other NY Gossip

April 1st, 2009 by Hadley | Posted in Divorce Trends, Star Divorces | No Comments »

The NY Post is reporting Real Housewife of NYC, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, and her Count are divorcing after 16 years of marriage. Reportedly the couple has lived apart for many years, with the Count living in Europe and Luann living in New York. However, the Count has apparently met someone else and informed Luann via e-mail the marriage is over. What is interesting is the timing of the Count’s decision to end the marriage, given that the two have lived on separate continents for years. I wonder if because LuAnn is now earning an income, not just from the show but from other opportunities she has because of her appearance on the show, if the Count figured now was as good a time as any. Also, as anyone familiar with the Real Housewives of NYC knows, being a Countess is near and dear to Luann’s heart, as she informs everyone from pizza delivery boys to friends as to the correct way to address her. Interestingly enough, according to Jezebel magazine, she will be entitled to retain a “courtesy title,” which means that her first name will be placed before the title, followed by her last name, e.g. LuAnn Countess de Lesseps. This helps distinguish divorced wives from a peer’s subsequent wives. I’m sure LuAnn is deeply comforted by this fact.

Page Six is also reporting Vanity Fair writer, Michael Wolff, and his wife are about to battle in a nasty divorce (party due to him “flaunting” his girlfriend around town). Not only are the couple headed to divorce court, but they are also being sued by the mother of Alison Anthoine, the soon to be ex-wife. The mother, Edith Anthoine, is 85 years old and claims the couple are evicting her from an apartment they promised she could live in until her death, due to their divorce. The couple claim Edith needs to be moved into a facility for more constant care. They have another court date scheduled on April 20th.

Not Everyone Feels The Pinch Of The Slow Economy

March 19th, 2009 by Hadley | Posted in Prenuptial Agreements, Star Divorces | No Comments »

MSNBC reports that in the divorce of Sweedish countess Marie Douglass-David, and former CEO George David, $43 million doesn’t go very far. The couple married in 2002, but the marriage was already in trouble in 2004. In October of 2005 they signed a postnuptial agreement that would give Douglas-David $43 million if/when they divorced. However, Douglass-David is now claiming she can not live on that amount as she has $53,800 in weekly, yes, I did write WEEKLY, expenses. She has asked the court to invalidate the agreement claiming she was coerced into signing it.

So what does $53,800 in weekly expenses consist of? According to MSNBC, “Douglas-David has filed court papers showing she has more than $53,800 in weekly expenses, including for maintaining a Park Avenue apartment and three residences in Sweden. Her weekly expenses also include $700 for limousine service, $4,500 for clothes, $1,000 for hair and skin treatments, $1,500 for restaurants and entertainment, and $8,000 for travel”. I need a moment to consider what it would be like to spend $4,500 a week on clothes.

George David former CEO of United Technologies Corp., has an estimated net worth of over $300 million. The divorce trial is set to begin next week, which should be interesting since each spouse is accusing the other of extramarital affairs.

I think Douglass-David has a lot to lose contesting the postnuptial agreement. The marriage only lasted seven years. In addition, Douglass-David is 36 years old and prior to the marriage earned a living as an investment banker. Clearly she’s capable of working, if she actually did manage to burn through the $43 million. David is 67 and stepped down last year as chief executive at United Technologies Corp., although he is still chairman of the board, so his income stream has dropped significantly. David does have a huge net worth, but most of it was probably accumulated before he married Douglass-David. If the evidence shows that the marriage ended because of Douglass-David’s infidelity, she could walk away from the marriage with significantly less that $43 million.

Lauder Stops Paying Child Support

March 17th, 2009 by Hadley | Posted in Child Support | No Comments »

Page Six is reporting cosmetic heir William Lauder and Taylor Stein, mother of his nearly two-year old daughter, are going to court because Lauder has stopped paying child support. Stein gave birth to their daughter on May 24, 2007. Lauder agreed to buy Stein a house in California and pay a total of $9.5 million to Stein for child support, in $500,000 yearly payments through the year 2017. Stein agreed to stay away from his family, and not come to New York for more than two weeks a year. However, Stein claims no payments have been made since January and she has petitioned the Manhattan Surrogate Court to enforce a Residence & Child Support Trust agreement.
Lauder is alleging that Stein and the child visited New York and met with his mother, breaching the agreement and getting him off the hook for the child support payments. However, Stein claims that Lauder arranged for his mother to meet them. The hearing is set for March 20. Lauder’s attorney claims his client has made the payments and is in compliance with the agreement.

Judge Denies Trump

March 12th, 2009 by Hadley | Posted in Star Divorces | No Comments »

No, not that Trump. The Donald’s younger brother, Robert, was denied his request to have his divorce case heard in Dutchess County. Robert and Blaine Trump are preparing to fight in court after filing for divorce over a year ago. The couple, who were married for over 24 years, will be fighting over Robert’s estimated $200 million fortune. The Post is reporting Robert wanted the case moved out of Manhattan, but the judge in the case refused, stating, “He (Robert) states he considers Millbrook to be his home ‘in the truest sense of the word,’ but does not deny that the parties lived exclusively in Manhattan throughout their 24-year marriage. Nor does he contradict [Blaine's] assertion that since their separation, he has lived in Nassau County . . . at a house he purchased for his girlfriend.”

The Post reports Robert has been living with his girlfriend, Ann Marie Pallan, for whom he bought the $3.7 million house in Nassau County. The couple allegedly had an affair for over 3 years before Blaine became aware of it. Blaine was willing to stick out the marriage until she found out Robert had bought his girlfriend the home in Nassau County. Not to worry however, Blaine has the representation of the infamous Robert Cohen and rumor has it there was no pre-nup. Which is a little odd, considering that Donald Trump is known for his airtight pre-nups. Live and learn. Although this will be one very expensive lesson.

Tyrese Gibson’s 10-Month Marriage Costly Mistake

March 4th, 2009 by Hadley | Posted in Prenuptial Agreements, Star Divorces | 1 Comment »

Tyrese Gibson is seeking to end his ten month marriage to his wife, Norma. However, Norma is contesting the prenuptial agreement she signed and a judge has ordered Tyrese to make a number of payments to and for Norma, including a payment of $65,000.00, $6,230/month in support, her rent ($2,730) and her car payments ($800).
It is interesting that the judge ordered what appears to be a generous temporary award, especially since it is extremely unlikely the court will set aside the prenuptial agreement for a ten month marriage. It is unkown what the terms of the prenuptial agreement are, and whether the payments ordered were addressed in the agreement. Often times a prenuptial agreement will include language that if a party contests the agreeement, and the agreement is enforced, the contesting party will be responsible for the other party’s attorneys’ fees, or said costs will be offset against any obligation due by the defending party. That is one way of trying to safeguard a party from frivolous suits.

Update: Gag Order in Shamsky Case

March 4th, 2009 by Hadley | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Former Met Art Shamsky and his ex-wife, Kim Shamsky, have been in the news recently from a very public disagreement. However, for the sake of the “Miracle Met,” all future disagreements will be kept in the courtroom, as the judge in the case has issued a gag order. The Post is reporting a Manhattan judge warned Kim Shamsky she could be locked up if she keeps hounding her ex-husband. “I am concerned about . . . you putting yourself in a position to be arrested,” Justice Laura Drager said, before gagging all parties in the case. Since Kim Shamsky’s suit accusses her ex-husband of infecting her with a sexually transmitted disease (that he denies having), the judge also ordered both parties to be examined by seperate doctors. Presumably the results will be kept confidential, at least while this case is pending.