{"id":221056,"date":"2023-12-13T17:23:04","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T17:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominiclevent.com\/blog\/?p=221056"},"modified":"2023-12-13T17:23:04","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T17:23:04","slug":"from-britney-to-joe-jonas-celebrity-divorces-dominated-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominiclevent.com\/blog\/from-britney-to-joe-jonas-celebrity-divorces-dominated-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"From Britney To Joe Jonas, Celebrity Divorces Dominated 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Contributing author: Morgan Fraser Mouchette<\/em><\/figure>\n

From the demise of Britney Spears and Sam Asghari’s \u201cblink-and-you-missed-it\u201d marriage to the shocking revelation that Meryl Streep and Don Gummer have been amicably and secretly separated for years after a 45-year marriage, this has been the year of lost love and legal nightmares in matrimonial land. As we bid goodbye to 2023, let\u2019s take a look at some of the splits that garnered headlines this year, and explore some of the recurring issues at play.<\/p>\n

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Social Media and PR as Bargaining Tools<\/h2>\n

Unsurprisingly, the media speculated plenty on the private matters emanating from celebrity divorces this year. In the aftermath of the infamous Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial, we continue to see the use of the press and other media as a bargaining tool to gain public favor. A prime example is actress Sophie Turner claiming that it was through the media that she learned her husband, pop star Joe Jonas, had filed for divorce. Their split quickly yielded multiple narratives in the press, including a spate of coverage about Turner\u2019s alleged hard-partying lifestyle being to blame for Jonas\u2019 decision. Ultimately, the Jonas Brothers\u2019 female-dominated fanbase \u2013 not to mention many high-profile female celebrities \u2013 publicly sided with Turner, a working mom.<\/p>\n

Public perception can be a powerful instrument, and while the \u201cmedia attention\u201d issue isn\u2019t as relevant for the average couple, I still advise using private mediation during divorce to have a better chance at achieving confidentiality and maintaining integrity. Of course, both sides have to agree to private mediation, and it might not happen if using the press to shape public opinion is a goal of one or both sides.<\/p>\n

We Want (a Comprehensive) Prenup<\/h2>\n

While lawyers drafting prenuptial agreements attempt to address anticipated current and future issues a couple might face, situations come up post vows that are not\u2014and sometimes cannot\u2014 be foreseen in a prenup. In addition, some clauses may become open to challenge, which rapper Jeezy and his estranged wife Jeannie Mai Jenkins discovered during their divorce proceedings. Their prenup included an infidelity clause for which Jenkins is currently trying to uphold penalties, as she has alleged that Jeezy was unfaithful during their marriage. However, infidelity clauses are difficult to enforce due to the inability to provide sufficient evidence, especially when the couple is separated before the divorce proceeding, as was the situation in this case.<\/p>\n

\u201cYellowstone\u201d star Kevin Costner\u2019s divorce from his wife of 18 years, Christine Baumgartner, was one of the year’s biggest spectacles, with major public disputes arising over child support payments and living expenses. What stood out most in their case was the disagreement over living arrangements once Christine filed for divorce. Their prenup stipulated that Baumgartner had 30 days to vacate the family home after filing, a deadline she exceeded while arguing that Costner was trying to drive her kids out of the only home they ever knew, and claiming that she had misunderstood the terms of the prenup at the time of signing. Naturally, it\u2019s both emotionally and logistically difficult for a spouse to leave what has become their long-standing family home, which is why a prenup must precisely specify how physical properties are allocated, especially properties purchased before the marital union. Agreements can also provide for a longer term for the non-titled party to stay in the home in the event that there are minor children at the time of a divorce, which may have addressed Christine\u2019s claims.<\/p>\n

Pop star Britney Spears and Sam Asghari\u2019s prenup also made headlines this year. Thanks to the terms included in their agreement, the singer was able to maintain rights to her immense wealth established before their marital union, as well as her entire music catalog. Still, Asghari challenged the prenup in an attempt to gain spousal support, despite the prenup\u2019s stipulation against it. If the prenup were successfully contested, it is possible that the confidentiality clauses and NDAs it contained would no longer have been enforceable, putting Spears in a very vulnerable position throughout the divorce proceedings.<\/p>\n

Situations like Spears\u2019 might lead some celebrities to negotiate a payout (aka a settlement) to protect the more high-profile person\u2019s privacy and overall wealth. While confidentiality clauses are great for protecting peoples\u2019 private lives from being exploited in a messy split, they are only enforceable to a certain extent. Furthermore, in the age of \u201cMe Too,\u201dsome wonder if private non-disclosure agreements go too far in stifling legitimate claims or experiences that a spouse would otherwise have the right to publicly share. headlines in 2023 with a highly publicized divorce and dispute over the custody of shared daughters Willa (3) and Delphine (1).<\/p>\n

Custody<\/figure>\n

Custody is a major pain point for divorcing parents, and, since it is not allowed to be addressed in prenups by a matter of law, the courts must look to the best interest of the children at the time of the divorce, which is often a complicated process that can stoke animosity.<\/p>\n

On one end of the spectrum, some couples publicly handle their custody issues with maturity, trying to find the balance between ensuring that the children maintain relationships with both parents and ensuring their safety in the event that there are substance abuse issues. \u201cThe Bear\u201d star Jeremy Allen White and his ex-wife Addison Timlin agreed to joint custody of their two daughters under the condition that White uses a Soberlink device every time he sees his children. This condition, coupled with White\u2019s required participation in therapy and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, allows for continued safe custodial access. For parents who have a history of substance abuse, these precautions may be worth legally outlining in custody agreements. Such protocols can also provide security for both parents, serving as a record of compliance for the parent who submits to the protocol and knowledge for the other parent.<\/p>\n

A more complicated custody battle played out in Turner and Jonas\u2019 divorce, for whom custody issues centered around cross-border living arrangements. Turner filed a lawsuit in September 2023 requesting that estranged spouse Jonas return their two children to their “habitual residence” in England where the couple had allegedly agreed they would raise the family upon selling their Miami home. However, having a verbal agreement regarding place of residence is not legally enforceable, despite a child\u2019s dual citizenship or being in the midst of \u201chouse-hunting.\u201d For this reason, it is necessary for parents to include such legally binding considerations in their custody arrangements.<\/p>\n

Lingering Impacts of the Pandemic<\/h2>\n

While the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we are still dealing with its lingering effects on personal relationships. As the world halted at the peak of the pandemic, new stresses were placed on couples. For some couples, the loss of a job, the loss of a family member, or the introduction of new passions or interests added new dynamics to their relationships. Quarantining together while isolated from others added stress for many couples, and many questioned their compatibility. Adding in young kids not being able to go to school and it was a recipe for disaster for some marriages. Some of those couples tried to stick it out after lockdown protocols ended but have now made the final decision to go their separate ways.<\/p>\n

In some ways, the apparent rise in divorces in 2023 could correlate to a new collective understanding that life is short, and that it\u2019s better to move forward alone than stay stuck in an unhappy relationship. Moreover, seeing more other couples publicly separate has helped to destigmatize divorce, inspiring and empowering others to take charge of their lives.<\/p>\n

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Cordial Separations<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

In late 2023, we also saw a few examples of \u201cperma-separation,\u201d a phenomenon in which couples remain legally married while physically\/romantically separated. Meryl Streep and Jada Pinkett Smith both recently revealed their private, long-term separations from their spouses, which had flown under the media\u2019s radar for years. Marriage is a contract and can be resolved as such, whether it be a formal divorce or enactment of a \u201cperma-separation\u201d agreement. For many, remaining legally married may be the ideal solution, whether due to religious or personal preferences, or for legal purposes such as inheritance rights or insurance. Couples who are considering this option should be sure to create and adhere to a contract specifying what is acceptable to each party during their period of separation.<\/p>\n

We are likely to witness more celebrity splits in 2024, and, as each year unfolds, the public details of these separations reveal both exemplary and less commendable practices in navigating such sensitive situations. Furthermore, the evolving landscape of technology prompts questions about the integration of couples’ relationships with social media into marital agreements.<\/p>\n

Publicized divorces offer insights into the common challenges faced by celebrity and mainstream couples alike. While the financial stakes and types of assets involved may differ for these celebrity couples when compared to the average family, the fundamental issues at the heart of these matters remain consistent.<\/p>\n

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Morgan Fraser Mouchette<\/em><\/a>, Partner in the New York City office of Blank Rome, handles complex matrimonial matters for high-net-worth and high-profile clients. She provides individuals and families with tailored and strategic support to navigate and move on from life\u2019s most difficult outcomes, including divorce.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The Legal Entertainment authors discuss legal issues affecting the entertainment industry. From developments in intellectual property and contracts to changes in insurance and media law, these authors help Forbes readers understand cases, case law, and what\u2019s at stake for celebrities, and entertainment and media companies.<\/p>\n

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