Recently in Alimony Category

As reported in previous posts, Frank and Jamie McCourt have been unable to reach a settlement in their high-asset divorce, and the greatest sticking point regards the ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both sides of the divorcing couple disagree wildly as to who has what stake in ownership of the team. Jamie claims that she should have co-ownership of the team, while Frank maintains that the team solely belongs to him.

The 11-day trial to determine the ownership of the Dodgers is now underway with both sides presenting their viewpoints on the matter. At the center of the trial is whether a 2004 post-nuptial agreement should be invalidated or allowed to stand. The agreement assigns ownership of the couple's businesses and assets to Frank, while assigning property ownership to Jamie. 

The high-asset divorce of Frank and Jamie McCourt has not yet been settled, even though both sides have expressed their wish to do so. One of the most contentious parts of the divorce process has been a dispute over the worth of the Dodgers team and whether Jamie McCourt is entitled to income from the team or part ownership as part of her alimony. 

According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, the couple cannot agree on whether Jamie should receive income based on how much the team is worth now versus how much it could be worth in the future. Jamie and her team of attorneys are seeking to give her a percentage interest in the team. Frank and his attorneys worry that that will give Jamie a say in team business decisions, which Frank does not want to share with his future wife.

Sandra Bullock has announced that she has filed for divorce from Jesse James. The divorce comes after widespread tabloid reports of his marital infidelity. She also recently revealed that she secretly adopted a baby boy from New Orleans last January. She said she and James began the adoption process 4 years ago, but that she is completing the adoption as a single parent.

Bullock filed the divorce papers in a Texas court. She owns three businesses in Austin and has said before that she considers the city to be her true home. Another reason for filing in Texas is that Texas judges can consider several factors, including infidelity, in dividing the divorcing parties' property. If Bullock were filing closer to Hollywood, California laws regarding community property would call for the couple to split their estate 50-50. Bullock could be attempting to protect her high assets, an estimated $85 million fortune. Filing in Texas also means Bullock will not have to pay alimony to James.

Financial disagreements are one of the most prevalent causes of marital strife. Most marriage and financial experts agree that couples should thoroughly discuss their financial pasts and futures before they get married. If couples wait until after financial issues arise in the marriage, it could spell a rocky future.

An article in the Los Angeles Times, 'Love me, love my credit score" outlines topics you should discuss with your boyfriend or girlfriend before you get married. While discussing prenuptial agreements and how you will divvy up bill-paying responsibilities may seem unromantic, experts agree it could lay a solid foundation for your marriage. Here are five starting points for your financial discussions:

Los Angeles Dodger's owner Frank McCourt's divorce from his wife, Jamie McCourt, could cost $19 million, likely the most expensive divorce in California's history. The Los Angeles Times reports that in the history of high-profile divorces in California, no one can remember a divorce being this costly. The Times reported that the Britney Spears-Kevin Federline divorce cost $835,000, and that the average high-profile case costs around $5 million.  

While the high cost is unusual, the matters involved in the contentious divorce are highly complex. Some say that the fact that both parties are reporting possible fees of around $10 million shows the costs could be necessary. Also unusual is that both Jamie and Frank McCourt have retained multiple attorneys and accountants. Once again, this could be due to the complexity involved in this high asset divorce. 

The next round in the acrimonious McCourt divorce comes March 29th in Los Angeles County Superior Court where a hearing will be held to determine alimony. Jamie McCourt is asking for $989,000 spousal support each month to support the marital lifestyle she's accustomed to. Frank McCourt's attorneys have claimed he no longer has the assets to offer the level of support requested by Jamie.

Both sides have filed documents to support their version of the level of assets controlled by Frank's enterprises. Jamie's side claims Frank has undervalued his personal finances by hundreds of millions of dollars. Her filings say that between 2004 and 2009 the two received on average $2.3 million per month in payouts from their enterprises. Jamie's side also claims the net equity value of all Frank's assets to be over $2 billion. Frank's attorneys contest Jamie's calculations, claiming she is vastly overestimating Frank's fortune in order to harm him.

The fortune's dollar amount is not the only highly contested issue in this divorce. A trial is set to begin May 24 to determine ownership of the LA Dodgers.

Fans of reality TV might know that Tamra Barney has marital problems.  This star of the Real Housewives of Orange County was recently served with divorce papers by her husband, Simon Barney.  After nearly twelve years of marriage and three children, issues of custody, child visitation rights and alimony come to the surface in a bold and public way for these quasi-celebrities.  

In his petition, filed on January 7 in Orange County Superior Court, Simon cites "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the divorce, under the California Family Code section 231-(a). He goes on further to allege domestic violence, claiming that the Orange County reality star had been verbally abusive with him.  In an aggressive move, he is also seeking custody of the children and wants to deny her any alimony. His papers are filed pro-se, which essentially means that is representing himself and has not yet retained an Orange County divorce attorney, a move which may be gutsy in light of the high-profile nature of their divorce, their supposedly high-valued assets and his aggressive allegations in his petition.