While we’re not even through to the end of the first month of 2012, the second high-profile divorce has hit the headlines – and this time it’s Victoria’s Secret model Heidi Klum and husband of seven years, singer Seal.
Weeks after Katy Perry and Russell Brand filed for divorce, Heidi and Seal released a joint statement ending their marriage, blaming their split on them simply “growing apart”.
“While we have enjoyed seven very loving, loyal and happy years of marriage, after much soul-searching, we have decided to separate,” the statement said.
“We have had the deepest respect for one another throughout our relationship. This is an amicable process and protecting the well being of our children remains our top priority.”
The couple have three children together – Henry, 6, Johan, 5, and two-year-old Lou, as well as Heidi’s daughter Leni, 7, from her previous relationship.
The split has come as a surprise to many, as the couple were the envy of Hollywood with their seemingly rock solid relationship. They even renewed their wedding vows each year on their anniversary.
So, with three children involved, what will the next step for Heidi and Seal be?
“A UK court would regard this seven year marriage as being relatively short-lived and this would inform their conclusions regarding the division of marital assets,” explains Amanda McAlister, a partner and the National Head of Family Law at Russell Jones and Walker.
“However, it has been suggested Heidi will file for divorce in California which is a community property state, meaning property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in the state is community property. Therefore the court will divide the community estate of the parties equally.
“The couple have children together, so there will be maintenance to be considered. Californian law states that both parents of a minor child have an equal responsibility to support their child in the manner suitable to the child's circumstances. It’s known that Heidi’s career has been in the ascendency during the period of the marriage – reputably earning $12M last year - and thus she may be vulnerable financially.
“California recognises the legal validity of prenuptial agreements however so if the couple drew up such an agreement then things might be very different.”
While another celebrity marriage bites the dust, find out which other high profile celebrities had a divorce battle on their hands - what we can learn from them.
High Profile Divorces
Celebrity Divorces: What We Can Learn From Them(01 of08)
Open Image ModalCustody Of Children: Heidi Klum & Seal(02 of08)
Open Image Modal"A UK court would regard this seven year marriage as being relatively short-lived and this would inform their conclusions regarding the division of marital assets," explains Amanda. "However, it has been suggested Heidi will file for divorce in California which is a community property state, meaning property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in the state is community property. Therefore the court will divide the community estate of the parties equally."The couple have children together, so there will be maintenance to be considered. Californian law states that both parents of a minor child have an equal responsibility to support their child in the manner suitable to the child's circumstances. It's known that Heidi's career has been in the ascendency during the period of the marriage - reputably earning $12M last year - and thus she may be vulnerable financially."California recognises the legal validity of prenuptial agreements however so if the couple drew up such an agreement then things might be very different." (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Short Marriage: Kim Kardashian (03 of08)
Open Image ModalAfter being married a total of 72 days, reality TV star Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from her new husband, Kris Humphries."This marriage took place under American family law and are therefore different to English family law, where the couple must be married for a minimum of one year before either side can petition for divorce. "Under English family law, Kim Kardashian could consider pursuing an annulment of the marriage, perhaps on the grounds of wilful non-consummation or one party not giving valid consent to a marriage because such consent was given under duress." (credit:Getty)
No Prenup: Katy Perry (04 of08)
Open Image ModalThis is a very short marriage - around 14 months. It's known that Russell Brand filed for divorce in California but it is not known if the couple drew up a prenup. "However, many divorcing couples are influenced by factors other than financial considerations and a divorce lawyer must be sensitive to this when giving advice. Having myself recently returned from a holiday in America where Katy Perry is enormously popular, I imagine his lawyer may well be tempted to counsel him to proceed with caution regarding their joint assets." (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
Custody Of Children: Madonna(05 of08)
Open Image ModalCheating: Tiger Woods(06 of08)
Open Image ModalAfter the golfer's shameful cheating past was revealed, his Swedish wife Elin Nordegren decided to divorce him under unreasonable grounds - as well as walking away with a rumoured $750 settlement."If one half a couple is unfaithful, a divorce can be sought on the grounds of adultery or unreasonable behaviour," says Amanda."The problem with the former is establishing proof that adultery has taken place. If, for example, Elin had said her husband had committed adultery with another woman in a particular hotel room, he could respond that yes, he was with the woman in the hotel room but sex did not take place. "In the absence of irrefutable proof - a baby, for example, or photographic evidence - Elin might then have chosen to divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour but include the alleged liaison in the body of her petition as she would then not be required to prove the act. Finances are unrelated to divorce petitions citing adultery as the cause of the marital breakdown. "However, it has been argued successfully in some divorce cases that adulterous behaviour has lead to a decline in the fortunes in the marital pot of money, so to speak, leading to a different division of assets." (credit:Getty)
Custody Of Pets: Cheryl Cole(07 of08)
Open Image ModalWhen Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole divorced her footballer husband Ashley Cole, it wasn't their multimillion pound Surrey home or flash cars that Cheryl wanted - but their shared Chihuahuas. Cheryl got full custody of their dogs Coco and Buster."There is no law or legal guidance that deals with pets, although as an issue it comes up a lot," explains Amanda."Essentially, if one half of the couple desperately wants to keep the family cat and the other half refuses to give the cat up, then in all probability there will have to be a trade-off in some other area of the divorce." (credit:Getty)
Division Of The Assets: Roman Abramovich (08 of08)
Open Image ModalWhen Billionaire Roman divorced his long-time wife Irina, he had to pay her $300 million in assets, plus his various homes and monetary assets."Firstly, be absolutely up front about disclosure. Hiding assets or lying about income simply drags out the process. Secondly, consider trying mediation or collaboration. Most importantly, go into negotiations with the attitude that the division of assets must be fair. "Unfortunately, not many couples do so," says Amanda. (credit:Getty)