We very rarely track individual divorce cases on this Web site, but there are some that come to light that are worthy of mention based on some of the issues that they highlight. The latest example of this is the divorce involving Mel Gibson and his wife of 31 years, which was finally finished on Friday after years of legal wrangling and negotiations. In short, this high asset divorce is one that will be seen by many as the most expensive in the history of celebrity marriages.
Specifically, Mel Gibson will have to split the marital estate with his wife, which is worth an estimated $850 million. Therefore, Mr. Gibson will need to pay his former wife $425 million in order to adhere to the terms of the settlement. In addition to this original payout, Mr. Gibson will also have to pay his former wife half of his residual income that he receives for the rest of his life. Residual income is generally that which is generated by the payment of royalties and the like.
While this enormous payout will make headlines, what is not known specifically is whether there was a prenuptial agreement in place between the spouses. Most believe there was not, and most believe that this settlement heavily favors Mr. Gibson’s former wife. What this case should tell anyone who is of a high net worth is that it is always advisable to have the terms of a potential divorce worked out ahead of time.
San Diego High Asset Divorce Lawyers
If you are of a high net worth and you’re unsure of how your rights and options stack up in the event of a divorce, you owe it to yourself to take basic steps to ensure that you are handling the possibility of this situation arising as well as you can. That should be done with the help of an experienced professional who has helped clients through these matters in the past.
If you are facing the end of your marriage, you need to seek the help of San Diego high asset divorce lawyers who have been fighting for the rights of husbands and fathers for many years. Contact the Men’s Legal Center today to schedule an initial consultation.
