Posts Tagged ‘celebrity divorces’
The Vast Sensationalism of Celebrity Divorces
If your separation and divorce did not make the cover of People Magazine, then do not feel bad. Most people’s affairs are not covered by gossip magazines. But celebrity divorces are a constant in the media. People wanted to know every little detail of Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt’s split. Your divorce attorney did not have his name plastered in the gossip rags but theirs did. What is it about a celebrity couple getting divorced that seems to grab the attention of everyone?
Divorce court is filled with couples airing dirty laundry about each other. But very few cases ever receive the same attention that celebrity divorces receive. The year 2009 saw the divorce of Madonna and Guy Ritchie. People were shocked because they had been together for several years and could not quite believe all of the rumors that were surfacing. Gossip rags had a field day with the “he said/she said” allegations that were flying between the two. Couples that seem happy and content in their celebrity marriages rarely make the news.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson is one celebrity couple that has managed to stay away from an attorney and a divorce settlement. Things seem pretty good for them and you rarely see any rumors surfacing in the gossip rags. Britney Spears and Kevin Federline, however, were one of the Hollywood couples that experts said would divorce quickly. They did manage to stay together for awhile but they ended up divorcing and it has been a constant tabloid sensation since. There have been much faster separations and divorces though. Take for example Nicholas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley. They married in August of 2002 but just three months later a separation was filed. It almost seems as if the divorce papers were signed at start of the marriage.
Finding out that your neighbors or coworkers are having uncontested divorces is not very sensational. After all, how much could truly be at stake? But in the case of a celebrity divorce, people want to know all of the nitty, gritty details. The papers always point to infidelity but there is often more to these separations than what you read. It is easy to view celebrities as iconic figures that are above the everyday mundane tasks that people go through.
For all those who eagerly await celebrity divorces, there are some who want to see celebrity couples make it. Being a celebrity just amplifies every problem. If you are going through a divorce and are battling it out in divorce court, then it suddenly does not seem so bad when compared to the fanfare and censure that celebrities receive. You are not the only one to have a cheating spouse or be in an abusive relationship. It brings celebrities down to a normal level that the everyday Joe can relate with.
Taking A Look At Divorce Law
Divorce law can be a convoluted process for everyone involved, especially if the couple seeking a divorce was married for an extensive period of time. Each state and country has their own system and laws in place for divorce proceedings, and the individuals involved have to be aware of every law before reaching an agreement. Finding a lawyer is just the first step in a lengthy and sometimes harrowing experience.
The legal proceedings spelled out in divorce law will vary by state. If you are intending to seek a divorce from your spouse, it is important to contact your lawyer and find out what laws govern your state in terms of divorce proceedings. Once that is accomplished, you may be able to seek a legal separation, so long as your state recognizes them. A legal separation is petitioned by a lawyer in a court of law, allowing the spouses to live apart while each of their responsibilities are laid out in a separation agreement. If your state does not recognize a legal separation, then you must go to the next step, which is filing for a petition for divorce.
After a separation, divorce law proceeds to the filing of a petition to the county clerk. This is usually called the “Original Petition for Divorce.” The party filing for a divorce, called the “petitioner,” must state in the letter their reasons for filing. This letter will also include the names of both parties involved in the proceedings as well as any children involved. The petition is then given to the “respondent,” or the other party involved. They have thirty days to seek their own attorney and give their consent to the petition. When children are involved in a divorce settlement, the petition must be recognized by both parties before either one is allowed to request legal orders to assist with child support guidelines.
Divorce law allows the collection of information on both spouses involved. This is called “discovery,” and normally consists of five steps, depending on the state where the case is handled. The first is a disclosure, where both the petitioner and the respondent list what they feel is rightfully theirs. This includes property, child custody rights, and personal assets. The disclosures are handed out must be evaluated within thirty days. Interrogatories are a list of questions drafted by attorneys to be asked to both parties. These are handed out and must also be answered within thirty days. Some states have limitations on the amount of questions asked by attorneys.
Admissions of facts are another part of the “discovery” process. Either both or one spouse will direct claims to the other party which must be denied or accepted within the allotted time, usually thirty days. Income and personal properties are collected in the next phase, which is referred to as a request for production. The spouse that is served with a request must comply within thirty days. Because this process involves personal information, it is usually here that divorce proceedings slow down considerably. Finally, depositions are needed to fulfill the “discovery” mechanism. Depositions are sworn testimonies of the opposing party and they usually involve witnesses and are often used in court during the divorce proceedings.
Once all the information is gathered, a mediation or trial is scheduled. Mediations are when both spouses meet with their attorneys to discuss the divorce and attempt to reach a settlement without going to court. If a settlement can not be arranged during this time, then a trial is set so both parties can argue their case in front of a judge. Once the judge makes his or her decision, the papers are signed and a divorce is finalized. As with any court proceeding, appeals can be made if one of the parties involved feels the judges ruling was unjust.
No one is overly excited about the prospect of succumbing to a state’s divorce law. Because there is no way to avoid the issue, it is important to properly arm yourself with a trustworthy lawyer and ample amount of information about your state’s legal specifications. Knowing what you are up against can greatly increase your chances of speeding up the divorce proceedings because you are not caught off guard by unexpected requirements.
Useful Tips On How To Deal With Divorce Court
Your actions in divorce court can have a tremendous outcome on your divorce settlement. Judges will look at all the evidence presented to them by both attorneys before deciding a case, but actions can speak louder than the written word. If you fail to conduct yourself in an orderly manner, you could loose some of the concessions regarding property division or custody and visitation rights for your children.
Before entering divorce court, it is vitally important that your lawyer and you work out as many details and issues as possible with your spouse’s lawyer. This is usually performed in what is called an early settlement panel, or divorce mediation. This panel takes place in a court house and is attended by your soon-to-be ex-spouse, you and both attorneys. Family law attorneys listen to both sides of the divorce settlement while both counselors go over property divisions, any marital debt that has accumulated and any other issues that comprise the marital settlement agreement. This process can be extremely helpful because it allows many of the issues to be settled between the couople before a judge even hears the case. In some instances, such as in divorce mediations, issues can be resolved and agreed upon without ever having to go to divorce court.
We have all seen cases on television or in the movies where couples are brought into divorce court, and in the end the “good spouse” wins. In reality, this is not so much the case. A judge has the free will to make his or her own decisions about a case, and that decision may not always be in favor of you. When proceeding with a divorce settlement, it is important to remember this fact because it will help you retain a cool demeanor in front of the judge if something is decided against you. The most difficult time to do this, of course, is when children are involved. What a judge decides regarding child custody and visitation rights will rest on the evidence your lawyer presents and the custody laws governing your state. But often a judge makes his or her decision about joint physical custody based on their personal instincts. So it is important to enter a courtroom with an open mind and a clear outlook on how things could turn out in the end.
Your family law attorney can guide you through your time spent in divorce court. Following their lead is very important, especially if you need to speak in front of the judge. As with any other profession, common courtesy is expected in a court of law. This means always addressing the judge as “your honor,” and remembering to thank him or her for your time in front of the bench. If you are trying to present yourself in a professional manner, remember to never make snide or condescending remarks to your spouse. This will only cause you more harm in terms of the divorce settlement. When a joint physical custody battle occurs between you and your spouse, keeping your cool can be difficult. Never bring the children into the courtroom because it will only make things more difficult for everyone involved. Lawyers will always come prepared to court, but to help obtain all the information discussed in divorce court, take notes that will assist your attorney with the proceedings. Being prepared as possible will only benefit you, and hopefully bring about a positive outcome in the end.
Divorce court appearances can be short-lived or drawn out over months at a time. The best way to keep your proceeding relatively brief is by remaining mindful of your actions during the ordeal. Going in with the realization that a judge may not rule in your favor will help you maintain the dignity needed to make it through the settlement with a few bumps and minimal scars. Unlike many of the celebrity divorces shown on television, divorce proceedings for average couples can be done with speed, accuracy and little bickering. Remembering the proper etiquette while following your lawyers lead will help the overall experience.