The latest celebrity divorce news is the dissolution of the 19-year marriage of actress Nicole Kidman and musician Keith Urban. While many people seem made for each other, the ups and downs of life, aging, health, family demands, and work can interfere with forever, whether you are a celebrity or not.
Beat the News Cycle
The announcement of Kidman and Urban’s divorce seems to come months after the couple decided the fate of their union. They have chosen to break the news of their marriage’s end to the public now, seeming to have already decided the particulars of their divorce settlement. Non-famous divorcing couples can do the same.
Whether you and your ex work together to mediate a divorce plan before filing, or you get support alone from a lawyer to end your marriage, doing your homework and developing a plan can make divorce slightly easier. It’s also much simpler to explain the details to family and friends when your split is already in the works, even if you don’t have to worry about paparazzi.
Pricey Prenuptial Clauses
A fascinating aspect of the Kidman-Urban divorce is the reveal that their prenuptial agreement includes a “cocaine clause” which stipulates that Urban, who has struggled with addiction, is entitled to $600,000 for every year of the marriage that he remains sober and stays away from drugs and alcohol.
Though Michigan is a no-fault state, addiction is considered in divorce court, especially if children are part of the union. Parenting time and child custody are viewed through the eyes of a judge who may see one sober parent and one potentially non-sober parent and rule accordingly. If you do not have a prenuptial agreement, a postnuptial agreement can be drawn up to highlight requirements for one or both people in the relationship.
Parenting Time for Celebrities
Multiple celebrity news outlets have reported that Kidman and Urban worked out a childcare plan for their two daughters and included this in the divorce filing submitted for a judge’s approval. It has been stated that:
- Kidman will have primary custody of both daughters.
- Kidman will have their children for 306 days every year and Urban the remaining 59 days.
- Both parents earn over $100,000 per month so there will be no request for child support.
In Michigan, parenting time is typically split down the middle so both parents have roughly the same amount of time with their children. Holidays and special occasions vary. Every divorce is different and in some cases one parent travels significantly for work or is not equipped to manage children full-time. You will work with your divorce lawyer and then a judge to present your preferred parenting time plan.
Celebs Are Human Too
Celebrity or not, your marriage is important and so is your potential divorce. Anyone splitting up with their spouse will have many feelings about this major life change – divorce might break couples apart, but the shared experience can bring strangers together. If you are considering filing for divorce, contact Michigan Divorce Help in Mt. Clemens, MI, to schedule your consultation.
This blog post is not a substitute for legal advice.